Mariners School - Time requirement for getting your Captain's License

There is a lot of confusion on the time that is actually required for getting your Captain's License.. Here are the facts:

You are required to have a minimum of 360 days experience on board a boat since you were 15 years old. 90 of those days need to be in the last three years. As little as 4 hours on a boat can be considered one day. And in one 24 hour period you can claim just one day of sea service time. If you own the boat yourself you sign off your own time. If your time was spent on friends or families boats they can sign the time off for you. Your time does not need to be signed off by a licensed Captain and in fact you do not even need to be operating the boat yourself for this time to count.

This is basically an honor system which the Coast Guard will accept your best guess... You are not required to submit log books. If you choose to use one of our courses Mariners School will provide you with a Sea Service form and guidance on how to properly fill it out. This is basically a form that looks like a calendar... In each month there are 5 slots... Each of these slots represent a month of your choice... You simply make a best guess as to how many days you were out on a boat for a particular month... Once the total of days is greater than 360 you have now met the Coast Guards time requirement for getting your Captain's License.

do the hours have to be on a commercial boat?

No

If the boat has been registered to you, then you can sign off your own hours...you basically have to give a sworn statement saying you have completed said number of hours. The best thing to do is call the Mariners School main office and ask them exactly what they want and in what form as each one of them is different. Toll .Free 1-866-SEA-
CAPT

GP-TJ-

If you can locate copies of your boat registrations (insurance binders are helpful too) since 1993, the coast guard will accept that as proof of ownership. From there, you will need to conservatively estimate the number of days you spent on the boat each year.

so if you ran a 20 foot harbormaster boat for 4 summers you can qualify for tonnage?

A simple explanation of the tonnage requirements is as follows:

If you run a vessel up to 30 feet you will receive a 25 Ton Master License
If you run vessels up to 45 feet you will receive a 50 Ton Master License
If you run vessels greater than 45 feet you will receive a 100 Ton Master License.

The above guidelines are very general if you wish a more precise accounting of how the Coast Guard determines the Gross Tonnage of a vesse l I am including a link on the Mariners School website that can be found under the assist me tab. This link contains a guide for determining the gross tonnage of your vessel:

http://www.marinersschool.com/default.asp?contentID=626

It is important to remeber that if you are issued a 25 Ton Master License and do an additional 180 days on a 5 gross ton vessel then you will be qualified to upgrade your license to a 50 Ton master level. The process would also be the same once you had your 50 Ton Master License. Their is no additional testing necessary to complete the upgrade process. There is a $45.00 fee to the Coast Guard to process the paperwork.

Hey Captain Bob,

For about two years, I was running boats at a marina into the slings of a travelift. I never kept a log of any of this and spent an average of 30 minutes on each trip on boats from 30-50 ft. Sometimes I was driving, sometimes I was crew. Can I use this as sea time?

mainebaker - 9/18/2008 1:15 PM

Hey Captain Bob,

For about two years, I was running boats at a marina into the slings of a travelift. I never kept a log of any of this and spent an average of 30 minutes on each trip on boats from 30-50 ft. Sometimes I was driving, sometimes I was crew. Can I use this as sea time?


yes....."Your time does not need to be signed off by a licensed Captain and in fact you do not even need to be operating the boat yourself for this time to count"

in filling out the forms. if I do not remember the boat numbers for that boat. it's been some time sence it was sold. How do I fill ou those area's of the paparwork.

One possible solution is to go to your Division of Motor Vehicles. Here they can do a certified search of all vessels that you have owned and registered in that state. Most states can go back ten years and some as far back as fifteen years. The Coast Guard will use the certified search document provided by the DMV as proof of ownership. You will not be required to provide hull numbers since this search is based on your Social Security Number.

You can also use bill of sail, insurance documentation...

Hey Captain Bob,

For about two years, I was running boats at a marina into the slings of a travelift. I never kept a log of any of this and spent an average of 30 minutes on each trip on boats from 30-50 ft. Sometimes I was driving, sometimes I was crew. Can I use this as sea time?


Mariner's School will please correct me, but I would say no, since:
1. the boats never left the marina; does CG consider this acceptable?
2. were you under way at least 4 hrs minimum per day (as req'd)?

The vessel needs to be underway but not necessarily making way. What this means is that you cannot be attached to shore via a line, you cannot be on a mooring ball, nor can you be at anchor or on the dock. As little as four hours may count as a day remembering the the USCG is the issuing authority who will look at your total time on the water and determine whether or not you have met the time requirement. So, if you were working an 8 hour day pulling boats and four hours or more was spent moving these boats the Coast Guard would give you credit for those days. A letter from your employer would be submitted for their review and assessment of the time they would actually count...

Hey Captain Bob - how many female captains do you know. I am female and spent my entire childhood out on a boat - When I get to buy my own - I plan on eventually getting the licence - just curious if you have any advice for me (except that its a "mans" job - I am not your avg female)

Now that Mariners School is offering our Coast Guard approved courses online we have seen a surge of woman now seeking their license. Without the possibility of being the lone woman in a classroom of alpha males the online courses have seemed to open the door for women who wish to seek their license.

These women seem to fall into one of two categories... First, we see those who want to use their license professionally and then the larger group of women who are seeking the knowledge and safety that comes from the education.

I would also like to point out that there is a large demand for female Captain's especially in the tourism business.

Bottom line... It does not matter whether you are a male or female there are plenty of opportunities in our industry for those who are seeking employment. If you are a good Captain then you are a good Captain.... Regardless of your sex.

well tourism is what I'm going for - I plan on doing a dive/fishing tours in S. Florida - Thanks for the info - and I'll the online course! (or see if there are some by me)

so how do i go about filling out my time on the water? like do i need it on a certain form? i am 18 and probably have about 150 days on the water since i was 15 so i would have a lot to record but i would like to get started on recording it so that when i do get my 360 i can get everything done quickly. thanks

You can download the sea service form from our website www.MarinersSchool.co and select the "Assist Me" tab on the left hand side of the page once there go to the Forms and you will be able to download and print you need.

Here is the direct link:

http://marinersschool.com/forms.html

is the small vessel sea service form the one i need to record it on?

That would be the one... You need to fill out one form for each vessel you plan on using to meet the time requirement. If the time was done on friends or families vessels they can sign off the time for you.

I have had my own boat for a few years now and had one with my family growing up. For about 15 years I had jet skiis and spent probably more than enough actual time on them. Do personal watercraft qualify for sea service time?

i live on island and every day for 25. years i use big boat to go on mainland which i pay ticket i was just passenger and every trip is 3 h one way and 3 hours back 5 times a week time 52 weeks and time that by 25 years it is almost 40.000h on vessel over 60f

do i qualify for licence


ausway

No this time would not qualify for sea service time. The minimum time out on the water that would count as one day is four hours. Also, you would have needed the Captain of that boat. In addition, commuting on a boat certainly is different than being actively involved with the operation of that vessel.

....

It is important to remeber that if you are issued a 25 Ton Master License and do an additional 180 days on a 5 gross ton vessel then you will be qualified to upgrade your license to a 50 Ton master level. The process would also be the same once you had your 50 Ton Master License...

One slight correction, with your 25 ton, you need only 4 days of Sea Service Time aboard a vessel 5 tons or more to upgrade to the 50 ton. Once you have your 50 ton, you then need 180 days of sea service time aboard vessels 5 tons or more to upgrade to the 100 ton.

No this time would not qualify for sea service time. The minimum time out on the water that would count as one day is four hours. Also, you would have needed the Captain of that boat. In addition, commuting on a boat certainly is different than being actively involved with the operation of that vessel.I doubt his time would count in that scenario, but not because he wasn't serving as Captain. Being onboard a boat does count toward sea time, at least for a six pack, regardless of whether or not you're operating the boat. You just have to have the owner sign off for the time spent aboard.

Since August 1996 I have spent 1,633 days at sea, submerged, on nuclear submarines (NO $H!T) . I have extensive documentation of the days- will any of that time count?

If you have spent one year on a surface vessel your time can be counted.

Question. you say here a basic license is a 25 ton. Then you go up from there ??
or should I say you start out with 25 ton. so this is the same as a 6 pack license ?


A simple explanation of the tonnage requirements is as follows:

If you run a vessel up to 30 feet you will receive a 25 Ton Master License
If you run vessels up to 45 feet you will receive a 50 Ton Master License
If you run vessels greater than 45 feet you will receive a 100 Ton Master License.

The above guidelines are very general if you wish a more precise accounting of how the Coast Guard determines the Gross Tonnage of a vesse l I am including a link on the Mariners School website that can be found under the assist me tab. This link contains a guide for determining the gross tonnage of your vessel:

http://www.marinersschool.com/default.asp?contentID=626

It is important to remeber that if you are issued a 25 Ton Master License and do an additional 180 days on a 5 gross ton vessel then you will be qualified to upgrade your license to a 50 Ton master level. The process would also be the same once you had your 50 Ton Master License. Their is no additional testing necessary to complete the upgrade process. There is a $45.00 fee to the Coast Guard to process the paperwork.

Question. you say here a basic license is a 25 ton. Then you go up from there ??
or should I say you start out with 25 ton. so this is the same as a 6 pack license ?

No...a 6 pack is called an OUPV or Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels with a 6 paying passenger limit. A 25 Ton Master allows you to Captain USCG inspected passenger vessels without passenger limitations (other than the vessels inspected passenger carrying limitations).

Thanks. This question came up in another web page. and what I was seeing
did not compute...

From your website "The OUPV Near Coastal License also requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, 90 of which must be gained seaward of the boundary line. Ninety of the 360 days must be in the last three years. Experience gained prior to the age of 15 will not be counted."

Let me make sure I have this right.
The first 270 hours could be on a lake(inside boundary line)
As long as the last 90 hours were seaward of the boundary line and in the last three years than I'm ok.

Thank you in advance.

OUPV Inland License: The OUPV Inland license is restricted to operation shoreward of the boundary line, excluding the Great Lakes. This license is valid on uninspected vessels to 100 gross tons.

This license requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, with 90 of the 360 days occurring in the last three years. Experience gained prior to 15 years of age may not be counted.

The OUPV Inland License can be upgraded to an OUPV Near Coastal License once 90 days experience seaward of the boundary line has been achieved.
OUPV Great Lakes & Inland: 360 total with at least 90 days service on the Great Lakes.

OUPV Near Coastal: This license is valid on vessels up to 100 gross tons and out to 100 nautical miles.

The OUPV Near Coastal License also requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, 90 of which must be gained seaward of the boundary line. Ninety of the 360 days must be in the last three years. Experience gained prior to the age of 15 will not be counted.

Note: Sea Service experience can be counted on your own vessel. A Sea Service Form and proof of ownership are required. Experience on other people's vessels can also be counted. In this instance, to verify experience claimed and vessel details, a completed Sea Service Form with the owner's signature must accompany the application.

I worked as a test rider for a PWC manufacturer for 5 years. Can I use this time? it was on many different boats, how do I record this? there is no way i'll be able to find the hull numbers from all of them.
Thanks!

A simple explanation of the tonnage requirements is as follows:

If you run a vessel up to 30 feet you will receive a 25 Ton Master License
If you run vessels up to 45 feet you will receive a 50 Ton Master License
If you run vessels greater than 45 feet you will receive a 100 Ton Master License.

The above guidelines are very general if you wish a more precise accounting of how the Coast Guard determines the Gross Tonnage of a vesse l I am including a link on the Mariners School website that can be found under the assist me tab. This link contains a guide for determining the gross tonnage of your vessel:

http://www.marinersschool.com/default.asp?contentID=626

It is important to remeber that if you are issued a 25 Ton Master License and do an additional 180 days on a 5 gross ton vessel then you will be qualified to upgrade your license to a 50 Ton master level. The process would also be the same once you had your 50 Ton Master License. Their is no additional testing necessary to complete the upgrade process. There is a $45.00 fee to the Coast Guard to process the paperwork.

I currently operate Military Patrol Boats , length of the boats are from 22 foot to 44 foot ! I going to pursue my 6 Pack(OUPV) this month . I will be pursuing my Masters License in the spring of 2011 . Question = What Tonnage will I or should I pursue ... 25 Ton or 50 Ton ? The majority of my time on the water is with the 44 footer !

I currently operate Military Patrol Boats , length of the boats are from 22 foot to 44 foot ! I going to pursue my 6 Pack(OUPV) this month . I will be pursuing my Masters License in the spring of 2011 . Question = What Tonnage will I or should I pursue ... 25 Ton or 50 Ton ? The majority of my time on the water is with the 44 footer !

I would not bother with the OUPV and just apply for the Master unless you plan to operate a charter vessel. (You can get your Near Coastal OUPV easier than you can acquire your Master Near Coastal).

The USCG determines your tonnage based on your submitted documentation. Meaning, you cannot pursue the tonnage, the USCG will decide that based on the tonnage of the vessels you operated.

im interested in obtaining a captains license in a few years. i live in Trinidad, in the caribbean and in 16 years old. i have spent my entire life on boats and around the sea.
i have read the other posts and i have a few questions,

do i need US citizenship to acquire a license?
can i work as a private captain for american families?
does the license allow me to captain the boat internationally?
im interested in boats about 80ft, fishing or leisure, what license do i need?
can i record my time on boats that are not US registered?
thanks so much for your help.

If I am a member of a boat club and use multiple boats can I use my boat club membership agreement as "proof of ownership" or would I need the boat club owner to sign off on my time?

Also, is my time on inland waters (Tampa Bay) on my jon boat (powered by an outboard motor) able to count towards my total time?


Thanks!

im interested in obtaining a captains license in a few years. i live in Trinidad, in the caribbean and in 16 years old. i have spent my entire life on boats and around the sea.
i have read the other posts and i have a few questions,

do i need US citizenship to acquire a license?
can i work as a private captain for american families?
does the license allow me to captain the boat internationally?
im interested in boats about 80ft, fishing or leisure, what license do i need?
can i record my time on boats that are not US registered?
thanks so much for your help.

forward your questions to the web site below, click on the heading on the left "contacting NMC"

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/

therobertbrooks - The owner of the Boat Club would have to sign off on your small vessel sea service form for the boats you had operated and you can make copies of the form and submit multiple copies. Yes, your time on Tampa Bay would count but keep track of where your sea time is as that will correspond to the type of license you will get, for example an Inland License vs. a Near Coastal

I have had motorboats for over thirty years and easily qualify for the 360 hours on board. If I want to qualify for a captain's license for a sailboat (e.g. a Lagoon 440) does the time requirement have to be met for the type of boat I want to captain?

Tombar,
If for example you wanted an OUPV Six-Pack, your time on the water in your Power Boat (360 days since the age of 15, with 90 of those days within the last 3 years) would apply if you ran a sailboat or a powerboat.

Now if you wanted to get a Sail Endorsement added to your license, you would need to get your Masters License as you cannot not add a sail endorsement to an OUPV six-pack and that information is on our website as well.
Capt. John

License Requirements

This USCG-approved course is designed to fulfill the training and testing requirements for an Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement on any Master or Mate License.


Licensed Master or mates may be endorsed for sail or auxiliary sail, as appropriate. This endorsement authorizes the holder to operate inspected sail or auxiliary sail vessel, as applicable, within the scope and limitations of the license. A written examination is required to demonstrate knowledge of sailing. Upon successfully passing the exam, a certificate will be issued that will be recognized by the USCG as satisfying the testing requirements.
Additional Requirement:


360 days service on a sail or auxiliary sail vessel with 90 of those days within the past three years

I have worked with a 1600 oceans masters license (still have sea time certificates) for some 20+ years (now expired after 5 renewals). I know much has changed related to regs now imposed that we didn't have. I just want a 6 pac now. This was duck soup when I was active, now I suspect it's much more involved. Some discussion would be helpful on the process now.

Thanks,
Galey

Galey,
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, Capt. John 609-987-0555
License Requirements-OUPV

The USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV/SixPack Captain's License) allows the holder to carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons (about 75-90 feet long). These are usually smaller vessels that normally engage in charter fishing, SCUBA diving, or tour cruises. As such, these vessels are limited to six paying passengers plus crew-hence the term "Six-Pack." The OUPV License is issued in three forms: OUPV Inland License, OUPV Great Lakes & Inland and OUPV Near Coastal



OUPV Inland License: The OUPV Inland license is restricted to operation shoreward of the boundary line, excluding the Great Lakes. This license is valid on uninspected vessels to 100 gross tons.


This license requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, with 90 of the 360 days occurring in the last three years. Experience gained prior to 15 years of age may not be counted.
The OUPV Inland License can be upgraded to an OUPV Near Coastal License once 90 days experience seaward of the boundary line has been achieved.

OUPV Great Lakes & Inland: 360 total with at least 90 days service on the Great Lakes.


OUPV Near Coastal: This license is valid on vessels up to 100 gross tons and out to 100 nautical miles.
The OUPV Near Coastal License also requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, 90 of which must be gained seaward of the boundary line. Ninety of the 360 days must be in the last three years. Experience gained prior to the age of 15 will not be counted.
Note: Sea Service experience can be counted on your own vessel. A Sea Service Form and proof of ownership are required. Experience on other people's vessels can also be counted. In this instance, to verify experience claimed and vessel details, a completed Sea Service Form with the owner's signature must accompany the application.


Additional Requirements Include:


Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)
Age 18 or over
Physical, drug test and eye exam
CPR/First Aid training
Completion of Mariners Learning System™ USCG-approved OUPV/Six-Pack online course

No testing at the USCG Regional Exam Centers is necessary. All testing is done at our facilities.
Upon successful completion of the Mariners Learning System™ online OUPV course, the student studies the materials and takes a proctored exam at one of our Coast Guard approved testing sites. Once the student passes our multiple choice exam, he or she will receive a Mariners Learning System™ certificate recognized by the United States Coast Guard. Simply submit, within one year, the original certificate along with your application package and applicable fees to the USCG Regional Exam Center. Upon their approval of your package, they will send you your original License.

I have a question how would my time count for me serving aboard vessels that I was on while I was in the United States Coast Guard and the Navy? I would like to go for my Captains liscense, start with the 6-pack and go from there. Or what do you suggest Captain Bob, I was looking at getting my Captain's license online through your program.

Capt. Bob,
I have not been able to get to your website as you have it listed. I am interested in earning my 6 pack license. I have owned a boat since 1998 and have spent over 500 days on the water. I currently live in Kitty Hawk, NC and have many opportunities.
I am interested in taking an online course that would assist with getting the license. Can you help me out?
Winston

Great post captain john, When renewing my license, I used my own boat as my hours, and considering I'm on the water at least 3 times a a week, I was able to total up the needed hours pretty quickly.

just out of curiosity....

Is it possible for a non US Citizen living not in the USA to get a US captains license?