OUPV/Six-pack License Requirements

MarinersSchool · 09-16-2009, 09:08 AM

The USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV/Captain's) License allows the holder to carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 99 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: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 99 gross tons.

* This license requires at least 360 days of 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:

* Age 18 or over
* Physical, drug test and eye exam
* CPR/First Aid training
* Completion of Mariners School USCG-approved OUPV class

No testing at the USCG Regional Exam Centers is necessary. All testing is done at on of our Mariners Learning System™ facilities.

Upon successful completion of the Mariners Learning System™ OUPV/Six-Pack online course, the student makes an appointment online to take their final proctored exam at one of our Coast Guard approved locations. We offer testing locations throughout the United States. Once the student passes the multiple choice exam, he or she will receive a Mariners Learning System™ certificate recognized by the United States Coast Guard in lieu of taking their exam.

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, the Coast Guard will issue you your original License.

MarinersSchool · 09-16-2009, 09:10 AM

Most CG REC's (Regional Exam Centers) will accept 4 hours to count as one day. However, in one twenty four hour period a person can claim just one day.

The sea service requirement is basically a best guess where you sit down and guesstimate the total number of days you have been on the water in any given month and year. The Coast Guard is not looking for log books they require you to fill out a Sea Service form which basically looks like a calendar. Here you record the number of days you have spent on the water in each month since your 15th birthday. As you are aware 90 of those days need to be completed within the last 3 years. All forms and documentation is provided witht he cost of our courses.

It is not unusuall for some of our students to be short on the required Sea Service time. Once you purchase our course you have one year to complete the program. The clock starts when you log into the program for the first time... Not when you purchase one of our MLS programs. Then once you have completed the course you have one additional year to meet the Coast Guard's requirements.

One4Water · 09-18-2009, 09:37 PM

I know this has been asked before but....

I was on my fathers boat constantly when I was around 18-20 years old(I am 44 now). I had my own personal watercraft for close to 15 years. I bought my first "real" boat two years ago. How do I log time for time on the water from so long ago? It is impossible for me to remember dates and times from so long ago. Can the personal watercraft be used as time on water?

Mariners School · 09-18-2009, 11:28 PM

You can count time on your own boat or on friends or families boats. You are not required to have any time on the water will on board a commercial vessel.

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

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.

HighMark · 10-15-2009, 01:15 PM

Hi Bob. My question is this. I have been operating boats, well sence i was
about 11 when I was a boat boy up at the lake. So time running them is
not a problem. How do I go about getting the required paperwork and
are is there a testing sites in oregon around Portland or. ??
And it this all done via computer and from My home...??

Herman

Mariners School · 10-15-2009, 09:23 PM

Mariners School will provide you with all the necessary paperwork and Sea Service forms with checklists and telephone support on how to properly fill them out. You can also go to our website and under the "Assist Me" tab download these documents for free.

We do offer testing sites in Portland and all course work is done online at your own pace on your own time schedule. There is more information on this site under OUPV/Six-pack course description. You can also view a demo of the classroom by going to the Mariners School website and selecting the "Guided Tour" tab.

HighMark · 10-16-2009, 06:37 AM

Where in Portland is the testing site??

Mariners School · 10-17-2009, 06:45 AM

We use several different conference centers. That information will provided when you register for the course and are prepared to take the proctored exam.