USCG 6 Pack License
 

If you ever thought about getting a Captain's license you may have got as far as the Coast Guard web site and given up.  What does all that mean?  Anyone with a book of "English for Lawyers" let me know, I will post a link.

The real name of the license is the OUPV which stands for "Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels". The word "uninspected" is a technical term meaning that the equipment required, and the design of the boat, are less regulated.

 

The OUPV license comes in 3 versions:  Inland, Great Lakes and Near Coastal.

The Near Coastal enables one to travel up to 100 miles offshore.  At present this opens the door to the Bahamas and, if and when the stand-off is ended and trade reopened, to Havana.

Inland waters means bays, rivers, sounds, etc., of the U.S.

All OUPV licenses are for vessels to 100 Gross Tons.

Having an OUPV license means you may be the Captain of a 100 gross tons (or less) vessel carrying a maximum of 6 paying passengers, within Inland and International waters, sail or power (thus the term 6 pack).

 

OUPV (6-Pack) Inland/Great Lakes

For uninspected, 6 passenger vessels on inland waters.

Requires 360 days total boating experience.
90 of those days must be in the last 3 years.
No offshore time is needed
U.S. citizenship is not required.
Minimum age is 18.

OUPV (6-Pack) Near Coastal

For uninspected, 6 passenger vessels, inland or offshore up to 100 miles.

Requires 360 days total boating experience.
90 of those days must be in the last 3 years.
90 days, in any time frame, must be in Near Coastal waters (offshore).
U.S. citizenship is not required.
Minimum age is 18.

USCG Application

  • Application Form - Complete required sections for an original license.  Three character references must be included.  Application valid for one year from receipt.
    Link to USCG Application Form [719b] [pdf download file]
  • Physical Exam Form - Must be completely filled out.  An incomplete form will delay your application.  Not meeting a vision, hearing, or general physical condition requirements does not automatically disqualify the applicant.
    Link to USCG Physical Exam Form [719k] [pdf download file]
  • Drug Test - All applicants must be certified "Drug Free"  by:

- having a physician submit a completed Drug Free form after a SAMHSA approved drug test or
- submitting a letter stating the applicant is currently enrolled in a Coast Guard required random drug testing program.
Link to USCG Drug Test Form [719P] [pdf download file]

  • Sea Service Form - You must tabulate your experience in operating your own vessels on the the Sea Service Form.  If  necessary use added copies to account for service on more than four vessels.  One day of service consists of a minimum of four hours underway, not at the dock.  You can claim only one day in a 24 hour day.
    Link to USCG Sea Service Form [719S] [pdf download file]
  • Documentation of Sea Service - If sea time is documented on your own vessel, use state registration, documentation certificate, bill of sale, or insurance papers.  Service on vessels not owned by you must be supported by letters in the form of the supplemental Small Boat Experience Letter. The question of what constitutes a day of sea time is in the regulations: At least four (4) hours under way in a 24-hour period counts as one (1) day. For the 6-pack, if underway for 24 hours with regular watch schedule, the USCG will give you credit for 1.5 days for each day, IF:
    a) you are doing time on a COMMERCIAL a vessel;
    b) if you are doing watches over 12 hours (in other words, if you are doing overtime watches).  Other than that, sea time is basically any time you are on a boat for more than 4 hours.

The USCG accepts letters of charter activity from a charter company which you have chartered from.  The question of "anchor time" when on charter is a difficult one. The charter company letter will cover the days of your charter. Technically, you should only take credit for days that you were underway for 4 hours or more.

To document time on your own boat, just provide a document showing proof of ownership then just fill out one of the sea service forms. However, in one of the Coast Guard documents it is stated that if your use of your personal boat is "excessive", additional documentation may be required. The implication is that if you have a full time job and also claim to have used your boat 250 days in 3 years, you will probably be questioned.

  • Proof of Age and Citizenship  Must be verified by one of the following:
(subject to instant change these days)

- Birth Certificate (original or certified copy)
- Passport (original or certified copy)
- Baptismal Certificate (issued within a year of birth)
- Certificate of Naturalization (original only)
- Proper documentation for name change

  • Proof of Social Security Number - You must submit an original or duplicate, not a copy.

     

  • CPR / First Aid Card(s) - A First Aid certificate dated within 12 months of your application date and current CPR certificate from one of the following courses:

-American Red Cross
-American Heart Association
-Coast Guard Approved Course

  • Fees - The Coast Guard will evaluate your paperwork and issue your license using the following fee schedule (effective October 4, 1999):

 

USCG Renewal Paperwork Assistance

New England Maritime offers assistance, for a fee, in USCG License renewal paperwork. Will supply you with the forms, assist you in completing your sea service forms, and check the paperwork package in its entirety prior to submitting to the USCG REC.

Please contact New England Maritime with any questions or concerns.

 


Physical and Drug Testing Sites

Call to Make Appointment.

Bring with you:
 

Exam Requirements For Passing

 

 

OUPV # of questions

Passing Grade

Masters # of questions

Passing Grade
Rules of the Road 30 90% 30 90%
Nav General 20 70% 20 70%
Plotting 10 70% 10 70%
Deck General 60 70% 70 70%
Towing Endorsement 20 70% 20 70%
Auxiliary Sail - - 20 70%