Are you thinking about making money from your fishing boat? Then perhaps earning a captain’s license is in your future.
Do you own a small fishing boat and would like to someday run charters for paying clients? Are you currently a deckhand or member of a crew searching for a different position? In either case, you may want to earn your U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) license, also known as the “6-pack” credential.
The 6-pack license is an important certification for anyone who wants to skipper or charter a boat for a fee. The USCG mandates that all operators of vessels carrying passengers-for-hire must earn a boat captain’s license. Two options are the master’s license and the “6-pack” license. This article will address the second license type.
Who is an OUPV License for?
An OUPV license is for anyone who wants to begin earning money from their maritime experience. For example, you may own a small fishing vessel and have experience taking friends on fishing trips. At some point, you might decide to start running charters for commercial clients, perhaps advertising your own business. This would help to offset your boat ownership costs. It might also become a regular part-time job or even a lucrative full-time career. But to pursue this opportunity, you need to have a USCG 6-pack license.
What type of vessels can you captain with a 6-pack license? This license is designed for uninspected passenger vessels that carry six or fewer passengers for hire. It is limited mainly to smaller boats (<100 GRT) engaged in recreational maritime activities such as charter fishing, whale watching, SCUBA diving, tour cruises and more.
How Should You Prepare for the Test?
The first step is meeting the five USCG prerequisites. These include:
- Being at least 18 years old.
- Having at least 360 days of documented experience on a vessel.
- Having at least 90 days of vessel experience within the last three years.
- Having 90 days of experience on the ocean or near coastal waters (if not, the license will be limited to inland waters only).
- Having worked on an uninspected vessel of less than 100 gross tons.
Learn more about OUPV license requirements and other considerations before testing here.
What Are Your Options for Testing?
You can either sit for the USCG’s test on your own or take one provided by a commercial captain’s school. In the latter case, the school will provide extensive learning materials and formal instruction to help you prepare. In the former, you will find your own materials and study independently. Traditional schooling may cost additional fees, but it will also improve your chances of passing your test and expand your maritime knowledge. Further, it will allow you to be more ready to kick-start your career on the water and navigate through the many naval risks you’ll face.
What Are Your Costs for Taking the Test?
If you opt to use an OUPV/6-Pack course at a commercial captain’s school, be prepared to spend a significant amount of money. Average program fees tend to be in the ballpark of $500 to $600. The program generally includes training content in both digital and printed formats. There are numerous courses and programs available in the marketplace—complete internet searches to determine which test-preparation program best suits your needs.
If you decide to prepare for the test independently, you’ll need to purchase testing directly from USCG. The options are complex. To determine your testing fee, refer to the USCG’s FAQ.
What is the USCG Process for Applying for Your 6-Pack License?
Once you pass the test, you must apply for your license. This is also a complex process. Here are the steps involved, as stated by the USCG website.
- Obtain a Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential (TWIC). Be sure to list your occupation as a Merchant Mariner. Make sure to get a photocopy of a TWIC or a copy of the TWIC application receipt.
- Fill out a CG-719B Application for Merchant Mariner Credential.
- (IF APPLICABLE) Fill out a CG-719C Conviction Statement.
- Fill out a CG-719K Application for Medical Certificate or CG-719K/E Application for Medical Certificate for Entry Level Ratings.
- (OPTIONAL) 3rd Party Release: Can be listed on Page 5 of the CG-719B, Page 10 of the CG-719K, Page 5 of the CG-719K/E, or on an alternate form.
- Obtain Drug Testing using a CG-719P Periodic Drug Testing Form or options listed on Page 2.
- Pay user fees at https://www.pay.gov (preferred payment method). Print a copy of your payment receipt to send with your application package.
- (IF APPLICABLE) Fill out CG-719S Sea Service or obtain other documented sea service.
- (IF APPLICABLE) Obtain relevant Training Course Certificate(s) and/or Assessment(s). Make photocopies of all course completion certificates and completed assessments.
Once the USCG receives your application items, they will evaluate them. If you meet its requirements, your license will be issued. With this credential under your belt, you’ll be equipped to pursue opportunities at sea or inland waterways. Once you begin using your license to earn money, it’s time to consider how to protect it and the livelihood you worked so hard to achieve.
Mariner Liability Insurance Coverage
Mariner liability insurance cover the costs associated with USCG (or other governmental authority) investigations. At the onset of an incident, admiralty attorneys are contacted to speak directly with the USCG, Fish & Game Commission, or any other governmental authority on behalf of the insured. Coverage protects the insured from paying out of pocket the costs of admiralty attorney fees, defense costs, and penalties or fines imposed. In addition to protecting your license and livelihood from regulatory investigations stemming from incidents or perceived negligence, your insurance will also shield you against allegations arising from civil or criminal charges, including paying any legal judgments or liabilities determined against you in court.
If your license is suspended during an investigation, coverage also provides a loss of income option with a daily subsistence allowance.
Traditionally, mariner liability insurance have not been so easy to shop around for or buy, particularly for charter captains or those acting as captain-for-hires or bareboat charter operators. Fortunately, there’s a contemporary option for this critical protection with 360 Coverage Pros.
360 Coverage Pros is an online insurance platform that provides professional liability protection to many business professionals, including USCG-licensed officers and crew. The website features a seamless application process that simplifies the entire buying experience. Coverage is underwritten by Berkley Offshore, an A.M Best “A+” (Superior) rated carrier. By combining best-in-class coverage and service with a simple application process, 360 Coverage Pros has reshaped how captains and crew can purchase insurance at a fast and affordable price.
Are you concerned about your professional risks as a charter captain? Then consider buying convenient, affordable license and liability protection from 360 Coverage Pros.
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