Nov 30, 2021 · The easiest way to pass the exam is by taking a USCG-approved captain’s license course. Maritime schools teach you specifically for the test and provide helpful resources and study tools. Completing Certificates, Forms and Fees: After completing your class, you’ll submit an application package to the Coast Guard.
The most popular captain's license course, the OUPV/Six-pack course, costs $595 for a deluxe edition including online and physical materials through Mariners Learning System. The Deluxe Master Captain's License course costs $795. For just the digital edition, the OUPV course costs $495, and the Digital Master course costs $695.
To be a Captain, one must be in good health and of reasonable physical ability. The Medical form ( CG-719K) is the most extensive form one will need to complete. It also requires the signature of a licensed physician. Unlike an FAA pilot’s license, the physician need not be approved by the US Coast Guard. Your family doctor is acceptable.
You are required to have a basic first aid course completed within a year of submitting your application. The American Red Cross, Heart Association, and PADI all offer classroom courses that will meet both these requirements. 3 How do you submit your captain’s license application?
The Basics of a Captain’s License. A first time applicant will need to decide while type of license to pursue. There are two types available to one applying for a new license. You may apply for a license to be an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or the more familiar “Six Pack” license.
To be a Captain, one must be in good health and of reasonable physical ability. The Medical form ( CG-719K) is the most extensive form one will need to complete. It also requires the signature of a licensed physician. Unlike an FAA pilot’s license, the physician need not be approved by the US Coast Guard.
There are effectively three such areas defined: 1 The first is Inland which covers all inland rivers and bays not otherwise outside the demarcation line for the high seas. This may also include portions of the Great Lakes up to the International boundary line. (I will not explicitly discuss the Great Lakes or Western Rivers in this article but those waters are also covered by an Inland scope with a specific endorsement for each.) 2 The second route is near-coastal which means ocean waters not more than 200 miles offshore. By extension, a near-coastal route endorsement includes inland waters as well. 3 Lastly, Oceans refers to all waters seaward of the Boundary Lines as described in 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 7.
You must submit a copy of your TWIC with your license application; therefore, one must start the TWIC process at least four to six weeks or more before submitting one’s license application. Separately, a photograph of the applicant must accompany the application. This can be a driver’s license or passport photo.
One has always been required to agree to a criminal background and driving record check. As you can well imagine, adverse findings in either of these areas will negatively affect one’s application.
Most applicants begin the licensing process by reading and accurately completing CG form 719-B. This form is used for all Coast Guard credentials both for original first time Coast Guard applications and also for license renewals.
The Coast Guard website has a Merchant Mariner Application Status form on their website, which you can use to check the status of your captain’s license application.
A course for the OUPV/Six-pack license covers all the basics you need to know! Mariners Learning System’s lessons include tons of material about navigating at sea whether you need a license to operate a commercial vessel or just want to increase your knowledge. The navigational information in the course encompasses piloting, dead reckoning (DR), and electronic navigation.
As a captain of a charter boat with six or fewer paying passengers, you need a OUPV/Six-pack captain’s license at minimum. If you want to work as the captain of a charter boat with more than six passengers, a Master license is required.
Most recreational boaters choose to get the OUPV captain’s license, also known as the Six-pack. This license is not required for recreational boaters, but many boaters with no intention of operating a commercial vessel go for their OUPV captain’s license because they want to brush up on safety and navigational skills. Plus, people like the pride of knowing they’ve achieved the designation. You can also go for your Master captain’s license as a recreational boater, and you can achieve this license without first holding an OUPV/Six-pack license.
The OUPV/Six-pack license is good for both power and sail. For those who want to run sailboats with seven or more paying passengers, a Master level captain’s license with a sailing endorsement is required.
Email your complete USCG Application Packet to the Regional Examination Center (REC) nearest you. The USCG mails your captain’s license to you once they evaluate your application packet. A statement from the US Coast Guard about application packets follows.
The USCG processes and issues your license once they have evaluated your application packet. The USCG evaluation process takes about four weeks. If your packet is incomplete or filled out incorrectly the USCG will mail you a letter explaining what additional information they need.
Each USCG approved course is composed of exam modules. Some courses have only one exam module, examples of these courses are Sailing, Towing, Upgrades and Renewal. Some courses have multiple exam modules, examples of these courses are OUPV (Six Pack), Master, Steersman, AB and Increase in Scope from Inland to Near Coastal.
The Certificate of Training satisfies USCG testing requirements and must be included in your application packet. Once you complete the course and online final examination your Certificate of Training is issued via email and snail mail. The Certificate of Training is valid for one year and then expires due to USCG regulations.