U.S.C.G - Course Descriptions

(OUPV) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (64 hours) - Captains of vessels carrying up to six passengers on a non-inspected vessel under 100 gross tons.  Candidates must be at least 18 years old and in good physical and mental health.  With 360 days of documented underway time, you may have satisfied the Sea Service time set forth by the United States Coast Guard.  Non-US citizens may obtain this license but will be limited to uninspected vessels of less than 5 net tons.  Non-US citizens may use non-US sea time and need a Green Card. Depending on sea experience, this license is available in one of two formats.

  • OUPV Inland / Great Lakes - The OUPV Inland license may be obtained with 360 days of documented service time on any waters.  To obtain a Great Lakes endorsement, 90 days of your total 360 days must be on the Great Lakes.  Also, you must have 90 days of recency time as part of the 360 days total.

  • OUPV Near Coastal - The OUPV Near Coastal may also be obtained with 360 days of documented service time.  A minimum of 90 days of this experience must be obtained on Near Coastal waters.  Recency time of 90 days must be within three years prior to application.

Upgrade from OUPV to 100 Ton Master (24 hours) - This is a comprehensive course with practice exercises and written final examinations.  A USCG upgrade to a 100 Ton certificate will be issued upon completion.

Upgrade from Master NMT 100 GT to Master NMT 200 Gross Tons (28 hours) - This course satisfies the examination requirements for Master to 200 gross tons.

Mate License 25 to 100 Gross Tons (88 hours) - Candidates must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. This license requires a minimum of 360 days of documented sea time on any waters.  To obtain a Great Lakes endorsement, 90 days of Great Lakes time is  required.  For recency, at least 90 days of your service must be within 3 years prior to application.

Master License 25 to 100 Gross Tons (88 hours) - Candidates must be at least 19 years old and a
U.S. citizen.

  • Master / Inland - The Master Inland license may be obtained  with 360 days of documented service on any waters.  To obtain a Great Lakes  Endorsement, 90 days of Great Lakes time is required.  At least 90 days of your service must be within three years prior to application.

  • Master / Near Coastal - The Master Near Coastal license is valid for all U.S. waters including the Great Lakes and 200 miles offshore.  This license may be obtained with 720 days of documented Sea Service.  A minimum of 360 days of this experience must be obtained in Near Coastal waters.  Recency time of 90 days must be within three years prior to application.

License Renewal up to 100 Gross Tons (8 hours) - The applicant who completes this 8-hour license renewal course with a passing grade of at least 90 will receive a certificate to be presented to the USCG within one year and will satisfy the training requirements for a deck license on vessels of not more than 100 gross tons.

Assistance Towing (4 hours) - Assistance Towing Endorsement offered with OUPV Master/Mate 100 Ton - no fee.  If taken with 100 Ton Upgrade or as a stand alone program, the fee is $100.