Has anyone completed 6 pack license course?

[caguy]

I would like to pick up my license to run charters after retirement from the school district. The course information is pretty straight forward and their pretty convenient.

The question I have is in regards to the "360 days underway experience" requirement. Where did you get your experience? Does that require a 1 year internship? Who can sign off your experience? Do my Carnival cruises count?
I can't find anything online regarding fulfilling that requirement.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Bob J.]

Last I knew you could vouch for your 360 days underway experience if you can document it. This could be backed up by your ships log, amount of time your boat(s) have been documented.

This is pretty serious stuff, people are placing their lives in your hands so a carnaval cruise doesn't cut it....

It will also get expensive with the safety gear & insurance you'll need to become a person for hire.

 

[RAD]

I was told you can count all the years you owned a boat and lets say you used it 2 days of every week for 8 months out of the year.....that counts and you can figure it out and lets say you brought a boat up the coast with a friend and spent 6 days doing it, that counts or thats what I was told by the folks offering the schooling and license test

 

[caguy]

tI thought I read that the time has to be served on someone else's boat. The other cost are the price of doing business. The time needed to invest on someone else's boat is expensive. At my age time is worth more than money.

 

[caguy]

Ok, I found it. I must have misread it.


"Note: Experience can be counted on your own vessel. A Sea Service form and proof of ownership are required. Experience on other persons' vessels can also be counted however; a Sea Service form filled out and signed by the owner must accompany the application verifying experience claimed and vessel details."

 

[gpd955]

Recency – [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]90 days in the past 3 years on vessels [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

11.201​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

OUPV​

​

​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

46 CFR​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

Near Coastal –​

​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]360 days of service, [/FONT][/FONT]OF WHICH ​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

90 days of service on Ocean or Near Coastal waters.​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

11.467​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

Great Lakes​

​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]- 360 days of service, [/FONT][/FONT]OF WHICH: ​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

90 days of service on Great Lakes.​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

11.467​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

Inland​

​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]– 360 days of service. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]

11.467​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

All of the days have to have been served after age 15. Time can be served on your boat or another person's and as previously stated they have to sign off on the Sea Service Form CG719S for their vessel. You also have to prove ownership of your's. I had to call our DMV to get a copy of my past boats registrations. A "day" is 4 hours and your can't have more than one day in a 24 hour period (e.g. if you're onboard for 24 hours, that's one day not 6)

PM me if you want some info or recommendations on how to go about it.

 

[jibes138]

I had a 50 ton masters licensewith sailing and towing endorsements. The application process is quite extensive and requires a lot of effort. Sea service regarding use of your own boat is the honor system so you fill out forms listing your service and sign it under risk of perjury for false statements. You should have ships logs documenting your days of use. Sitting at the dock drinking margaritas doesn't count as service time. You will also need a doctor signing a form that you are fit to operate a vessel with passengers for hire, take an official DOT drug test, take an eye exam to prove you can see. Glasses are OK but my license said I had to wear them and keep spares on hand at all times. Any criminal record will need to be documented on your application. You will need letters of reference I think three of them were required. Of course you have to pass a rigorous test including navigation skills. This license is a big deal and I was very proud of it. Unfortunately I did not have the sea time to sustain it when up for renewal in five years so it lapsed. It was a wonderful learning experience and I took the course more to learn the material than any intention of working in the industry. well worth it.

 

[Benny17441]

You need to show your navigation logs. Most people go back in time and to the best of their memory re-construct their boating experience into a log. Having title to a boat for the dates on the log helps to substantiate their validity. Log entries are subject to scrutiny but it is rarely done unless later there is a need to do so. Beware of using dates and locations that may draw attention like going for an overnight sail in Louisiana the day Katrina struck.

 

[CaptChuck]

I hold a Masters Lic and Sailing endorsement. In additions to the requirements listed above you will also need a Basic First Aid card and CPR. You will also need a Transportation Workers Identity Credential. The USCG has a great booklet explaining your requirements as well as equipment requirements. For example for charters a Type I PFD is required for all crew & passengers. www.uscg.mil/pvs/docs/upv_jobaid2011.pdf

 

[Andy1237]

Are you serious? I mean really serious? Because if you are, the sea service can be done on your boat, on bareboat charters, and service like Offshore Passage Opportunities. But THEN, after you pass the test the real fun starts. Complete CG forms, have a Medical Exam, take a Drug Test, get a TWIC card, and finally Ta Da! you get to shop for insurance (that will go up if you want to charter) Is it worth it? Financially, doubtful. Emotionally it was for me because I really enjoy doing charters but it is not for everyone. I suggest you crew for someone first to see if the "cut of your jib" fits the job.

 

[Bob J.]

Not trying to discourage you but if your boat has been documented for pleasure use, you'll have to change that also. Paint the boat name on both sides of the bow, put your documentation on the exterior of the boat.

I went down this road in the late 80's, lots of hoops to jump thru.

 

[caguy]

Are you serious? I mean really serious? Because if you are, the sea service can be done on your boat, on bareboat charters, and service like Offshore Passage Opportunities. But THEN, after you pass the test the real fun starts. Complete CG forms, have a Medical Exam, take a Drug Test, get a TWIC card, and finally Ta Da! you get to shop for insurance (that will go up if you want to charter) Is it worth it? Financially, doubtful. Emotionally it was for me because I really enjoy doing charters but it is not for everyone. I suggest you crew for someone first to see if the "cut of your jib" fits the job.

I don't do drugs, I drink maybe 2 beers/ month. I get physicals yearly. I do have diabetes under control with meds. We do First Aid and CPR training at school. We are an adaptive campus and have many special needs kids.
I taught high school for 10 years as a Biology, Astronomy, Physics, and Physiology teacher. I have spent the later 25 years as a School Psychologist. I enjoy taking students out on my boat for fishing and sailing trips. I work in a poorer neighborhood and some of our kids have never seen the beach.
I enjoy sailing solo but I equally enjoy sailing with people of all ages. I also enjoy teaching how to sail to those who are interested. Didactism is in the blood.
This will not only supplement my retirement income but it will also provide a big deduction come tax time, all this for doing something I love.
Thanks for all of your help and input.

 

[robertsapp]

So on the experience issue - does time in the Navy count?

 

[Bob J.]

I do have diabetes under control with meds.

I would check into this w/ the licensing authority, you may not be able to obtain a license.
I know that if you had a CDL (commercial driving license) with this med issue, you would not be able to get a medical certificate.

I hope this work out for you!!

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I've also been thinking about getting this. I have the at sea hours covered...

but:

What are the requirements to renew and maintain it? it is like a pilots license with testing every year, and a minimum number of hours at sea?

-That might be hard for me to maintain, since I get involved in other hobbies, often for years.

 

[Winkfish]

If there are any fishing guides in your area, chances are they have gotten their 6-pack license. Down her in LA, it's very common. If you want, I can give you e-mail addresses of some of the guides who may be able to give you some info.

I believe there is a school in Houston that offers the 6-pack and other licensing courses.

 

[Ron20324]

Sorry to not be able to answer your question, but the guy that runs the pumpout boats tells me if you are in an accident- even just on a pleasure cruise on your own boat- "The Man" will say, "well, you've got a license and should have known/done/avoided such and such". It's an increased responsibilty having any license. Most people can plead ignorance, but you lose that escape if you're licensed.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

^ I have heard that too.

Once you have your License, you are expected to know better, than the average fool.


-anyone know about the renewal process? (bump)

 

[caguy]

Sorry to not be able to answer your question, but the guy that runs the pumpout boats tells me if you are in an accident- even just on a pleasure cruise on your own boat- "The Man" will say, "well, you've got a license and should have known/done/avoided such and such". It's an increased responsibilty having any license. Most people can plead ignorance, but you lose that escape if you're licensed.

So your pump out guy's advice is to charter trips under the table?

 

[jibes138]

Renewing your license is also a big deal. You need to document a minimum number of sea hours over the last five years. In my case I did not have the sea time so I did not qualify for renewal. The license course is great to teach you how to navigate and the navigation rules. Once you have the license you certainly have responsibility, like I would never even drink a single beer while operating my boat even just with my own family. Any kind of accident and you have any level of BAC and it will be bad news. Commercial pilots can't drink for 24 hours before a flight, I don't think anyone wants boat captains putting them at risk either. Knowing the rules and what you are doing makes it much less probable you will get into trouble but there is always the case where the power boat slams into you from behind and says it is your fault. A license is required any time compensation is involved in your boating and a grey area is if your guests bring food, beverages, etc. that can be considered by authorities as compensation in exchange for the boating experience. So be very careful. Having the license eliminates that risk. When you have guests on board make sure you buy all the food and beverages and don't accept other gifts if you don't have a license.