Mariners School - Sailing Endorsement License Requirements

The USCG requires that a Master with an Inland License have at least 180 days of sailing experience since their 15th birthday.

A Master with a Near Coastal License wishing to seek their Sailing Endorsement requires at least 360 days of sailing experience since their 15th birthday to qualify for this endorsement 90 of those days within the past three years.

This USCG-approved online course is designed to fulfill the training and testing requirements for an Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement on any Master or Mate License. Licensed Captain's who hold an OUPV/Six-Pack license are not required to take this course because this license is good for both power or sail.

Licensed Masters 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.

The Mariners Learning System™ suite of Coast Guard approved online courses has been built so that you receive the same lectures that you would get in a classroom setting. However, by being online, you now have the additional advantage of being able to listen to the lecture as many times as you wish, whenever you want and anywhere you have access to the internet. This is a true anywhere, anytime learning solution!

A popular feature of the Mariners Learning System™ online program is the use of on demand instructional video files that act like a personal tutor. Here course topics are taught via on demand video. You can watch these clips as many times as you wish 24/7. If you need the additional help it is there, if you do not, simply move on with the course.

If you require additional instructional assistance the course has a Help Desk built into the online classroom. This feature allows you to have personal contact with one of our online instructors 24/7. Complete telephone support is also available in the event there is a question that cannot be answered via the online Help Desk. Access to the instructors is through a toll free phone number that is manned by our Coast Guard approved staff instructors Monday through Friday.

Mariners School’s online instructors are professional USCG Licensed Masters. Each has gone through a rigorous approval process and has met the standards of the United States Coast Guard to be certified instructors. They bring a level of knowledge, experience, and professionalism that adds to the total learning process.

Once the student completes the course quizzes and online Module Exam they make an appointment to take their final proctored exam with Mariners School. No testing at the Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers.

The grading standards are:

Sailing Endorsement: There are a total of 20 questions which the student must pass with a minimum score of 70%.

The student must pass the module to receive a Mariners Learning System™ certification of completion. If a student fails one or more modules, he or she may retest twice more without delay on the failed modules. Those who do not pass an exam module after three attempts must wait a period of three months to retest. The student will be required to complete the entire course prior to being allowed another three attempts at each module. In this case the student must retest and pass all online Exam Modules.

Module I – Sailing Vessels Seamanship

* Types of Sailboats
* Physics of Sailing
* Points of Sail
* Sailing Maneuvers
* Sailing Safety

Module II – Sailing Rules of the Road

* Rule 10 – Traffic Separation Schemes
* Rule 12 – Sailing Vessels
* Rule 13 – Overtaking
* Rule 18 – Responsibilities between Vessels
* Rule 25 – Sailing Vessels Underway

Module III - Anatomy of a Sailboat

* Sailing Hulls and Shapes
* Types of Sails and Layouts
* Parts of a Sail
* Spars found on Sailboats
* Rigging Components

Module IV – Sailing Terminology

* Ropes and Lines
* Additional Terms
* Lee Shore
* Types of Wind

This USCG-approved online course is designed to fulfill the training and testing requirements for an Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement on any Master or Mate License. Licensed Captain's who hold an OUPV/Six-Pack license are not required to take this course because this license is good for both power or sail.

Licensed Masters 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.
Capt. Bob, this says that a OUPV/6pack lisc. is good for aux. sail. I have a master 50 ton, does this mean I am good for sail as long as I do not go over the 6 limit?