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Become a Captain

3rd Coast Captains offers class room training programs for the following mariner credentials

All Testing Included

OUPV-6 Pack-Charter Captain $895.00

The USCG "Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels" License allows the holder to Captain uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons (about 75-90 feet long). Most pleasure vessels are in the uninspected vessel category due to the materials and method of construction. As such, these vessels are limited to 6 paying passengers plus crew - hence the term "6-pak". The OUPV License is issued in two forms:

  • OUPV Inland License - Requires at least 360 days experience in the operation of vessels. 90 of the 360 days must be in the last 3 years. Experience gained prior to the age of 14 will not be counted.

  • This license is good on vessels to 100 gross tons.

  • The OUPV license is valid for Inland waters, Great Lakes and Offshore up to 100 miles depending on the operators documented experience.  A "Great Lakes Endorsement" can be issued if the operator can document 90 days of sea service on the Great Lakes. This license is good on uninspected vessels to 100 gross tons.

  • This license can be upgraded to a OUPV Near Coastal once you have achieved 90 days experience outside the Boundary Lines.

  • OUPV Near Coastal - This license also requires at least 360 days experience in the operation of vessels, 90 of which must be gained outside the Boundary Lines.

  • 90 of the 360 days must be in the last 3 years. Experience gained prior to the age of 16 will not be counted. This license is good on vessels to 100 gross tons and out to 100 nautical miles*. NOTE: Experience can be counted on your own vessel. A letter and proof of ownership is required. Experience on other persons' vessels can also be counted however,  a letter from the owner or a sea service form signed by the applicant and the owner of the vessel that sea service is claimed.​ â€‹        

  • *Depending on applicants documented experience and the Coast Guard's acceptance of experience that is submitted.

Requirements

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Masters 25-50-100 Ton $550 w/Towing Assistance Endorsement

All Testing Included

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The Masters 100 Ton Upgrade provides an opportunity to those with a valid OUPV License to raise their grade to a Masters license. This license allows you to operate both inspected vessels and un-inspected vessels. It is required by the USCG for any inspected vessel certified to carry more than 6 passengers for hire.
The 100-Ton Masters License is for vessels with a gross tonnage up to 100 tons. The licenses are issued according to the tonnage of the vessels on which you have gained your sea service. It is issued in these increments:  25 ton, 50 ton and 100 ton. The minimum issued credential when successfully completing the course is 25 tons 

 

Prerequisites for Captain's License
Master / Inland Inspected Passenger Vessels Up to 100 Gross Ton

You must meet all of the prerequisites in this paragraph to receive a Master Inland Near Coastal License for Inspected Passenger Vessels of up to 100 Gross Tons:

  • Must be 19 Years old

  • A U.S. Citizen (Citizenship not required for OUPV)

  • Must be able to document a minimum of 360 days of experience on a vessel for Masters Inland. The necessary boating experience required for the 25-ton, 50-ton, and 100-ton versions varies.

  • Must have 90 of the 360 days within last 3 years

  • The tonnage of the Inland license is determined by your experience. For a 100 gross ton license, 90 days must be on vessels of 51 gross tons or above OR 180 days must be on vessels of 34 gross tons or above. For a 50 gross ton license, 90 days must be on a vessel of 26 gross tons or above if your sea time was gained entirely after March 2014. If your sea time began prior to March 2014, 1 day of sea time is required over 5 gross tons. If you do not meet the tonnage calculation for 50 gross ton or more you are eligible for 25 gross ton license.

If you plan on operating an Inspected sailing vessel you must have a sailing endorsement, the required seatime for this is 180 days of sail or sail auxiliary time (these may be part of the 360 days and may be prior to license issuance)

 

Prerequisites for Captain's License
Master Near Coastal of Inspected Passenger Vessels Up to 100 Gross Ton

You must meet all of the prerequisites in this paragraph to receive a Master Near Coastal License for Inspected Passenger Vessels of up to 100 Gross Tons:

  • Must be 19 Years old

  • US Citizenship is required for Masters (US Citizenship not required for OUPV.)

  • Must be able to document 720 days of experience on a vessel 360 of these days must have been on ocean or near coastal waters

  • Must have 90 days within the last 3 years

  • The tonnage of the license is determined by your experience. For a 100 gross ton license, 180 days must be on vessels of 51 gross tons or above OR 360 days must be on vessels of 34 gross tons or above. For a 50 gross ton license, 180 days must be on a vessel of 26 gross tons or above if your sea time was gained entirely after March 2014. If your sea time began prior to March 2014, 1 day of sea time is required over 5 gross tons. If you do not meet the tonnage calculation for 50 gross ton or more you are eligible for 25 gross ton license.

If you plan on operating an Inspected sailing vessel you must have a sailing endorsement which is a separate class, the required seat ime for this is 360 days of sail or sail auxiliary time (these may be part of the 360 days and may be prior to license issuance.

Prerequisites and Standards Common to All Classes of U.S. Coast Guard Licenses / Credentials

  • All mariners must have an expired Mariner's TWIC or apply for a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) before submitting an application packet to the U. S. Coast Guard. The TWIC information is available at their website.
     

  • When calculating qualifying sea time, you must have been underway on the water for a minimum of four (4) hours to count as one (1) sea day. (Only one day's credit is allowed per date.)
     

  • A U.S. Coast Guard approved CPR and First Aid course is required. (Adult CPR, basic First Aid). The First Aid must have been within the last 12 months and the CPR must be current.
     

  • You must have passed a physical that meets the Coast Guard's requirements  within the past 12 months. Vision must be at least 20/200, correctable to 20/40 in each eye. Color sense must be satisfactory (Waivers are available in some cases)
     

  • Drug screening is required. Your drug test must have been done within the last 6 months
     

  • DUIs, drug, and felony convictions are reviewed by the U. S. Coast Guard on a case by case basis. Depending on the severity of your conviction, you may receive your credential upon successfully meeting all the criteria, and then again you may not.

  • Military time and foreign time is evaluated for eligibility by the U. S. Coast Guard (NMC). This time is evaluated on a case by case basis

 

Course Cost Masters 25-50-100 Ton with Towing assistance Endorsement
 $550.00

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