USCG Captain's License?

[scoutboater]

Ok, so I've been looking into what it takes to get a captains license, and I think I'm pretty clear on most of the reuirements. My problem starts with the days on the water requirement (360 minimum, at least 90 in the last three years.) So my questions are:

1)Are those hours required to be with an already licensed captain?
2)Can these hours be in anything (pontoon, bass boat...) or does if have to be a vessel of a certain size?

Its just a little vauge and I was looking for clarification.

To get ahead of a few questions I see coming: I want this for no particular reason other than further my own knowledge, and I don't have any experience as a crewmember on larger vessels.

 

[sasto]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

1)Are those hours required to be with an already licensed captain?
2)Can these hours be in anything (pontoon, bass boat...) or does if have to be a vessel of a certain size?

Its just a little vauge and I was looking for clarification.
.

1...A licensed captain must sign verifying you completed these hours
2..Bass boat and pontoon are acceptable. I know of several captains that have only been on or owned a bass boat. License is required for anybody accepting pay from passengers, this includes bass fishing charter.

Don't only take my word on this matter. It's been several years for me.Things change and I have a hard time keeping up with them.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

Time spent on your boat of a friends boat can count.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

1. Decide which type of license is appropriate for your needs. For example, the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) "6-Pack" License allows the captain to command small vessels with six or fewer passengers in local waters. The OUPV Limited License is called the "launchtender license," because it's tailored to captains who move boats around for marinas, camps and yacht clubs. The Limited Master's License allows command of vessels of less than 100 gross registered tons. This is the same as the OUPV Limited License, but is issued for Coast Guard-inspected vessels. Finally, the Master 100 Tons License is divided into several tonnage categories, and is appropriate for Coast Guard-inspected vessels such as small ferries, dinner cruise boats and whale watching or sightseeing vessels.

2. Ensure that you have satisfied the following requirements: Minimum age for the specific license (18 or 21), proof of citizenship and driver's license, First Aid and CPR Course certifications, physical and vision exams, a negative drug test and character references. You may need to certify competence in basic safety training and bridge team work. Some licenses may also require a Radio Operator's Certificate, demonstrated familiarity with radar-based navigation and Safe Boating Course completion.

3. Document your boating experience in relation to the specific license requirements. Each license calls for different amounts of "on the water" time; however, all time must be documented and verified before your application will be approved for testing. All logged time must be signed by the captain of the vessel upon which you served.

4. Complete the written exam. Although the exam might include questions on some topics while not including others, applicants must be well-versed in all Coast Guard regulations, inland and international Rules of the Road, and virtually anything else related to boating and vessel command. At this point, you will need to decide if you can accomplish the preparation by yourself, or if it makes more sense to avail yourself of a Captain's License Preparation course. Some of these courses also offer start-to-finish licensing. Two of the best known license education/completion organizations are the Maritime Institute and Safeboating America (visit safeboatingamerica.com).

 

[scoutboater]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

Thanks Guys! I've just got one more question: If I log that time on my own boat, how do I get a captain to verify it?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

have that captain on your boat for all that time OR have him lie and jeopardize his own license

 

[sasto]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

have that captain on your boat for all that time OR have him lie and jeopardize his own license

How true!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

best way to get the hours is to work on a commercial boat as a crew member.

 

[dingbat]

Re: USCG 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 total 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.

I guess I should clarifiy. These are the duty requirements for a OUPV license. A Masters, etc will have different requirements.

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/MCP-FM-NMC5-40 Limited-Master 100 or OUPV.pdf

 

[scoutboater]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

Thanks dingbat. I was starting to think it might not be possible if I had to have a captain sign off on it, but if you're right I've got a chance.

One more question, just because:

If someone lived on a boat, does everyday count, or only the ones they pull the boat out of its slip?

 

[sasto]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/download-docs/sea_service.pdf

 

[H20Rat]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

If someone lived on a boat, does everyday count, or only the ones they pull the boat out of its slip?

Looks like you have to actually 'WORKED' on it for at least 4 hours, not neccesarily left the slip. It would be arguable how much time you could count under that.

"To count your days of seagoing service accurately, you must understand that a ?day? is defined in the regulations as ?eight hours of WatchStanding or day-working not to include overtime.?"

 

[scoutboater]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

Thanks everybody, but I still seem to be getting differing opinions on here...

I guess I'll dive back in to trying to call the CG or the CG Aux to see if they can clear it up for me.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

If "working" on a boat counts then most of the guys over in the restoration forum should be all set on hours.

My cousin got his capt license and ran a glass-bottom boat tour/dive rig. Always sounds fun but tough to get established.

 

[sasto]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

Here is the form you need filled out for your sea service. I see some things on this have changed since I became licensed by the CG. I took a course at Chapmans School of Seamanship which included my sea service. Look into a school and see if they include sea service. While studying for a masters license I had sea time on a simulator. I found it took me about 6 miles to stop a supertanker. Of course I crashed!

Once obtaining a CG license didn't make me a captain. A drivers license doesn't make me a race car driver either. My time after licensing with some professionals and local captains was what gave me the confidence to go anywhere I needed. It is a never ending learning expierence. I constantly study charts, whether I've been to an area or not.

Good Luck on your adventure. http://www.uscg.mil/forms/cg/CG_719S.pdf

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: USCG 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 total 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.

I guess I should clarifiy. These are the duty requirements for a OUPV license. A Masters, etc will have different requirements.

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/MCP-FM-NMC5-40 Limited-Master 100 or OUPV.pdf

Dingbat is spot on. I am currently doing this through Mariners School. I keep a log on my boat as back up.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

so seeing i wanna get my captains license in the future when im in my twenty's should i record my hours i drive and operate my boat now. i heard from some one that i could if i wanted a captains licence. SO should i record them now.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

so seeing i wanna get my captains license in the future when im in my twenty's should i record my hours i drive and operate my boat now. i heard from some one that i could if i wanted a captains licence. SO should i record them now.

Yes, it's not a bad idea.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

thanks i'm going to start that this summer. what should i right now. the time and sign off on it?

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: USCG Captain's License?

I log the date, time on boat, weather and temperature, fuel consumption, pump-outs, bilge temp during the winter, guest, and where we went. Most marine supply stores will have some kind of log you can buy or make your own. There are also a couple of good iPhone apps.