Captain's license? Any suggestions?

[sbcwolff]

Getting ready to pull the boat out for winter and thinking about reading up on rules of the road etc. in anticipation of potentially getting my 6pack. (goal is to start a charter biz in future when kiddos are a bit older). I have an entire winter of reading ahead of me

 

[cb32863]

Lots of online resources on what you need and are willing to provide the training for a nominal fee. "This license requires at least 360 days of Documented Experience in the operation of vessels, with 90 of the 360 days occurring in the last three years. Experience gained prior to 16 years of age may not be counted." Where do you sail? I know the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers do count as federal waters. If you are doing the river you can only get a U.S. Inland Water license.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

It is fairly straightforward. I recommend you find an online or local instructor, as it will help you cut through the process in a streamlined manner. They will connect you with drug test services, fingerprinting/background services, and medical exams you need to take, and those tend to be rather specialized (your regular primary care physician is unlikely to be familiar with the format and government forms, so there are testing services that specialize).

 

[rgranger]

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[jmce1587]

+1 on Captain Larry’s input on a local source if your able to. It Helped me out a lot in completing all the required paperwork. I did look at online courses such as Sea Source.net and others but in speaking with several local captains in my marina they also suggested local source which I had access to. Also there are a lot of You Tube videos on navigating you may want to search.

I did the same thing you are looking at doing. I Obtained OUPV license and ASA Instructor certifications just before retiring 18 months ago. Now I get paid to play for doing evening charters and instruction. Mind you I’m only doing this part time so I’m not raking in the big bucks. It keeps me busy and out of the house from driving the Admiral nuts and pays for beer funds. So far it’s been good.

 

[Benny17441]

Beware that once you get your license you take on the burden of additional responsibilities. It may also include the increase of Insurance Premiums to cover the ability of taking on paying customers. I looked into it years ago just for personal satisfaction as I had no commercial intentions and decide it was not worth it. Now that was just me, but I just pass this on now as food for thought. Good luck.

 

[jmce1587]

Good point by Benny17441. I’m working as a 1099 thru the local sailing schools and using the boats in their charter fleet. I’m covered under their insurance.

 

[sailme88]

I got my 50 Ton Master Near Coastal Waters. Woulda could shoulda got my towing endorsement and sail. Will probably use the winter cabin fever time to attain the sail. You will also need a TWIC card.
For those of you that do not maintain a log book and have entertained acquiring a CG license, start now.

 

[BigEasy]

Used to be that you had to take the written exam at a coast guard testing center where tests were assembled from a data base of potential test questions. One had to be well prepared to pass. You can still test in this manner for a nominal fee. Many individuals now sign up for local course that meets at night and weekends for a couple of weeks and then takes a test prepared by the school (that is recognized by USCG) and is administered by the school. I am sure that it is intense with quite a bit of study; however, I suspect that they probably “teach the test” with the high success rates that they advertise. Online & self study schools sort of do the same with regards to testing. After one completes the self study course, the school mails their USCG approved test to a local library or test center, where you take their test. Again, they advertise a high pass rate. The pass rates are not so high when testing independently at the coast guard test centers. Years ago, I considered getting a 6 pack license for the heck of it, with no commercial or teaching aspirations; however, after 9/11, it has become a bit expensive having to get finger printed, obtain “TWIC” ids, medical exams, and having to incur more expenses upon expiration/renewal.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Beware that once you get your license you take on the burden of additional responsibilities.

Sort of. If you have an incident you will get a small amount more of responsibility if you can't demonstrate what steps you took. Blame is assigned in percentages. So you might go from 30% blame to 35%.

It may also include the increase of Insurance Premiums to cover the ability of taking on paying customers.

Not true at all. We both have captains licenses and see reduced premium because of it.

 

[BigEasy]

I could understand that the insurance co is discounting the premium because you obtained the license; however, if you are using the boat for commercial purposes the rates have to be much higher, if you informed them of the commercial usage.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I could understand that the insurance co is discounting the premium because you obtained the license; however, if you are using the boat for commercial purposes the rates have to be much higher, if you informed them of the commercial usage.

If you use your boat for commercial purposes you need a commercial policy. That is a different story.

We had full coverage on our personal boat for personal use. We got a discount there. We have since gone liability only since we are cruising again.

I also has an additional rider for me doing work as a captain.

 

[shemandr]

Getting a captains license is not all schitz and grins. A friend who has one has to travel to a testing center - not his physician - for a physical. It's fine if it's nearby but in the case of the East End of LI it isn't. It's at least one day shot. I think last time he had to go back at least once for additional testing. I think you have to maintain CPR currency - and now days that includes AED training. Every time the govmint decides on a new level of preparedness the s**t rolls down on you. Another guy I know with the license says he has to limit boats he sails on if he knows or should know that there are deficiencies in the seaworthiness of that vessel. He claims that in the event of an accident, as a captain, even if not the skipper, there is additional liability over an ordinary passenger. This isn't even in the commercial arena.
Sailme88 is absolutely correct about starting your log ASAP if you want to go that way.

 

[Ron20324]

I agree with others... if there is an incident that ends up in court, it might weigh against you because you are schooled and licensed, and "you should have known better".

 

[Benny17441]

As I said, I checked into it years ago (20), things may have changed with insurance now, it did not make sense to me at the time but was told my rate would go up. Glad to see they are now giving discounts. I remember they mentioned something about increased liability.

 

[Will Gilmore]

"you should have known better".

Because you should know better. The test, the training and the hours are suppose to demonstrate that.

It's the whole idea behind the licensing process, to provide for a higher level of competency and preparedness. You certainly don't need the credentials to achieve this higher level and those with credentials don't always show a higher level of competency, but the idea is sound and in general, works as it should.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I agree with others... if there is an incident that ends up in court, it might weigh against you becuase you are schooled and lincensed, and "you should have known better".

I have two friends who are attorneys and licensed captains. Both say this is a non issue, and if anything it helps. Each situation is decided on the merit and circumstances. One of them encouraged me to get mine. I haven’t used it yet for commercial gain, but at least it feels “legit” when someone calls me Captain.

 

[Will Gilmore]

goal is to start a charter biz in future

How far in the future?
I grew up around the charter biz on Clearwater Beach. My father owned and operated a couple of head boats with a 100 ton Masters lic, in the '60s, and '70s. I scrubbed charter boats for my first paying job. Captain's credentials aside, I would suggest that you consider spending some time working on a charter boat. Mate for an experienced captain, get your license and hire on as a captain and learn the business. Make a deal with the owner, let him know what you are trying to achieve. It isn't complicated, but there may be elements to the business that might take you by surprise. Learn from other's mistakes and successes.

I wish you a luck.

-Will (Dragonfly)