USCG Licenses and Approved Courses

The general rule of thumb is that any motorized vessels that carries passengers for hire and that carries six (6) or less passengers is an Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV). Examples include fishing or hunting charters, guide services, sight seeing tours, dive boats, water taxis, etc. While not inspected by the USCG, UPVs are expected to be in compliance with all applicable safety laws and regulations and are required to be operated by a Coast Guard licensed operator. All vessels authorized to carry more than six (6) passengers and required to be inspected by the USCG Marine Safety Office and shall have a Certificate of Inspection (COI) posted onboard.

46 USC 2101(21) defines "passenger" as an individual carried on the vessel except:

1. The owner or an individual representative of the owner or in case of a vessel under charter, an individual charterer or individual representative of the charter;

2. The master; or

3. A member of the crew who is engaged in the business of the vessel who has not contributed consideration for carriage and who is paid for onboard services.

“Commercial Service'' includes any type of trade or business involving the transportation of goods or individuals, except service performed by a combatant vessel.

46 USC 2101(21a) defines "passenger for hire" as: "A passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel."

The act further defines "consideration" as: "An economic benefit, inducement, right, or profit including pecuniary payment accruing to an individual, person, or entity, but not including a voluntary sharing of the actual expenses of the voyage, by monetary contribution or donation of fuel, food, beverage, or other supplies.

AB course covers all of the AB ratings with exception of AB-OSV.

• AB-Unlimited requires 3 years (1080 days) of Ocean or Great Lakes Sea service.
• AB-Limited requires 18 months (540 days) on vessels over 100 gross register tons.
• AB-Special requires 1 year (360 days) on vessels in the deck department.
• This AB course does not cover the requirements for STCW or Lifeboatman. For STCW, AB students need to meet Policy Letter 14-02 for Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), Policy Letter 08-01 (Lifeboatman) and Basic Safety Training (BST). To qualify for AB (without STCW), mariners are required to meet Policy letter 08-01 before submitting their application for AB to the USCG.

Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) Near Coastal

• Requires 360 days of underway sea service which includes 90 days of ocean or near coastal service and 90 days of recency within the past 3 years. Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) Inland
• Requires 360 days of underway sea service and 90 days of recency within the past 3 years.

Course description and availability to be announced by 1 June 2009.

Master of Steam or Motor vessels of not more than 100 Gross Register Tons (GRT)Near Coastal

• Requires 720 days of underway sea service of which 360 days must have been on ocean or near coastal waters and 90 days of recency within the past 3 years.
• Tonnage - if all service is on vessels less than 5 GRT the license will be issued at 25 GRT
• Tonnage - if 1 day of service is on a vessel over 5 GRT the license will be issued at 50 GRT
• Tonnage - if 360 days of service is on vessels over 34 GRT the license will be issued at 100 GRT Master of Steam or Motor vessels of not more than 100 GRT Inland
• Requires 360 days of underway sea service
• Tonnage - if all service is on vessels less than 5 GRT the license will be issued at 25 GRT
• Tonnage - if 1 day of service is on a vessel over 5 GRT the license will be issued at 50 GRT
• Tonnage - if 360 days of service is on vessels over 34 GRT the license will be issued at 100 GRT

Upgrade OUPV to M100 This course is the only requirement if taken within one year of completion of OUPV training. If taken beyond one year then mariners must have 16-hour Rules of Road course plus this 24-hour course for certificate –

• This course does not require any additional sea service other than what had to be provided for the original license. Tonnage on the license may be restricted depending on the sea service provided (see original Master 100 description).

112-hour M200 near-coastal (original license)

Taking this course does not guarantee that a mariner will receive a license as Master 200 - Tonnage is determined as per 46 CFR 10.422.  This course does mean mariners will not have to test again to increase their tonnage to go above 100 GRT.

Upgrade M100 to M200 (near coastal)

This course is for increasing tonnage from 100 to 200 where a test would be required. This course does not mean that you will automatically be approved for a tonnage increase. (see below) -

• Increase in Scope - Endorsement Master 100 to 150 GRT then to 200 GRT- 46 CFR 10.422
• While holding a license as 100 GRT you can sail 90 days on a vessel of a higher tonnage (over 101 GRT) which will raise the tonnage on your current license to the next highest increment of 150 OR
• While holding a license as 100 GRT you can sail 6 months on deck on vessels within the highest tonnage increment on the license will also raise the tonnage on your current license to the next highest increment of 150 GRT.
• While holding 150 GRT you must sail on vessels over you can sail 90 days on a vessel of a higher tonnage (over 151 GRT) which will raise the tonnage on your current license to the next highest increment of 200 OR
• While holding a license as 150 GRT you can sail 6 months on deck on vessels within the highest tonnage increment on the license will also raise the tonnage on your current license to the next highest increment of 200 GRT.

OUPV/M100 Renewal 

This course is for those who wish to renew their licenses but do not have the required underway sea service per 46 CFR 10.209 (c)(i).

Auxiliary Sail - NMT 200 tons This course is for those who qualify for an Auxiliary Sail Endorsement to their license -

• For Near Coastal you must have 360 days on Auxiliary Sail vessels to qualify and • For Inland, you must have 180 days on Auxiliary Sail vessels to qualify.
• There is no Sail or Auxiliary Sail endorsements to an OUPV license.

Assistance Towing – NMT 200 tons

There are no sea service requirements to be approved for this endorsement. This endorsement is for those who wish to perform "Commercial Assistance Towing". A Commercial Assistance Towing endorsement permits a licensed Master or a Mate of vessels less than 200 GRT to charge for towing a disabled vessel into a harbor, dock or shore. This is not the same as a Towing Vessel license.

Rules of the Road

This course is for those mariners wishing to satisfy the requirements of the rules of the road examination for increase in scope of license (from inland to near coastal) or to Upgrade from OUPV to Master 100 beyond the first year of license.

Launch Operator License

Limited Scope OUPV License

Pending USCG approval.

FCC Element One (1) License Examination and Training Course

This license is required for marines subject to the Bridge to Bridge Radiotelephone Act and those engaged in international voyages. Covers basic radio law, operation, and other fundamentals. The license examination may be taken independently of a scheduled license preparation course

• Art of Marine Survey
• Structure and Systems
• Regulations and Requirements
• Field Experience
• Survey Report Writing

This three-part training is designed for individuals wishing to become marine surveyors. The first week of training covers the art of marine surveying, hull-deck structures, and systems. Additional training includes industry-federal requirements, report writing, and field work. Training is conducted by SAMS surveyors.

10.422
§10.422 Tonnage limitations and qualifying requirements for licenses as master or mate of vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

(a) Except as noted in paragraph (e), all licenses issued for master or mate of vessels of not more than 200 gross tons are issued in 50 gross ton increments based on the applicant’s qualifying experience. The license is limited to the maximum tonnage on which at least 25 percent of the required experience was obtained, or 150 percent of the maximum tonnage on which at least 50 percent of the service was obtained, whichever is higher. Limitations are in multiples of 50 gross tons using the next higher figure when an intermediate tonnage is calculated. (b) The tonnage limitation on these licenses may be raised upon completion of: (1) At least 45 days of additional service on deck on a vessel of a higher tonnage for a tonnage increase on a mate’s license; or, (2) At least 90 days of additional service on deck on a vessel of a higher tonnage for a tonnage increase on a master’s license; or, (3) Additional service, which, when combined with all previously accumulated service, will qualify the applicant for a higher tonnage license under the basic formula; or, (4) Six months additional service in the deck department on vessels within the highest tonnage increment on the license. In this case, the tonnage limitation may be raised one increment. (c) When the service is obtained on vessels upon which licensed personnel are not required, the OCMI must be satisfied that the nature of this qualifying service (i.e., size of vessel, route, equipment, etc.) is a reasonable equivalent to the duties performed on vessels which are required to engage licensed individuals. (d) Service gained in the engineroom on vessels of not more than 200 gross tons may be creditable for up to 25 percent of the deck service requirements for mate. (e) When the qualifying service is obtained upon vessels of five gross tons or less, the license will be limited to vessels of not more than 25 gross tons.
§10.424 Service requirements for master of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of ocean steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons is: (1) Three years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service. Two years of the required service must have been as master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, as mate, or as operator of uninspected passenger vessels; or, (2) Two years total service as a licensed master or mate of ocean or near-coastal towing vessels. Completion of a limited examination is also required. (b) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required 12 months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the master’s license. (c) In addition to any required examination, the applicant must comply with the requirements listed in §10.401(g) of this subpart.
§10.426 Service requirements for master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons is: (1) Two years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the required service. One year of the required service must have been as a master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, as mate, or as operator of uninspected passenger vessels; or, (2) One year of total service as licensed master or mate of towing vessels on oceans or near-coastal routes. Completion of a limited examination is also required. (b) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required 12 months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the master’s license.
§10.427 Service requirements for mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for license as mate of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 200 gross tons is: (1) Twelve months total service in the deck department of ocean or near coastal steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to six months of the required service; or, (2) Three months of service in the deck department of steam or motor vessels operating on ocean, near coastal, Great Lakes or inland waters while holding a license as master of inland steam or motor, sail or auxiliary sail vessels of not more than 200 gross tons. (b) The holder of a license as operator of uninspected passenger vessels with a near coastal route endorsement may obtain this license by successfully completing an examination on rules and regulations for small passenger vessels. (c) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of six months of deck service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. (d) A license as master of near coastal steam or motor vessels may be endorsed as mate of sail or auxiliary sail vessels upon presentation of three months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. (e) In order to obtain a tonnage endorsement of over 100 gross tons, the applicant must complete the additional examination topics indicated in subpart I of this part.

§10.428 Service requirements for master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons.

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons is two years total service in the deck department of steam or motor, sail, or auxiliary sail vessels on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to one year of the required service. (b) In order to obtain an endorsement on this license for sail or auxiliary sail vessels, the applicant must submit evidence of 12 months of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels. The required 12 months of service may have been obtained prior to issuance of the license.

§10.429 Service requirements for limited master of near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 100 gross tons.

(a) Limited masters’ licenses for near coastal vessels of not more than 100 gross tons may be issued to applicants to be employed by organizations such as yacht clubs, marinas, formal camps and educational institutions. A license issued under this section is limited to the specific activity and the locality of the yacht club, marina or camp. In order to obtain this restricted license, an applicant must: (1) Have four months of service on any waters in the operation of the type of vessel for which the license is requested; (2) Satisfactorily complete a safe boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, or a safe boating course conducted by the U.S. Power Squadron or the American Red Cross.

In addition to the seatime requirements specific for either inland or near coastal routing – the following items are considered general requirements for either OUPV (not limited scope) or Master 100 ton licenses.

One (1) day of seatime is equal to 4-hours underway (not at dock, anchored, aground, or as a passenger) in a twenty-four (24) hour period.

• Master 100 – Minimum age 19 years – proof of US citizenship required
• OUPV – Minimum age 18 years – proof of US citizenship required – legally admitted aliens in the US may obtain an OUPV license for vessels of not more than 5 net tons.
• Original Social Security card. • Three (3) character references.
• Current within 12 months First Aid/CPR card. • Current within 12 months medical examination.
• Current within 6 months USCG approved drug screening.
• Original state issued birth certificate. • Current photo identification card.