So you want to sail for fun...AND PROFIT!  SWsailing can help you chart your course toward earning your USCG Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC), USCG OUPV or Master 25-100T Captain's License.  

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Basically, if you want to operate a vessel on the ocean and with paying passengers aboard then you must hold at least an OUPV-Near Coastal or a Master 25T Near Coastal. Without the "Near Coastal" designation you can only take paying passengers around the bay or on rivers, etc., aka "INLAND".

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The primary requirements for all MMCs are:

• Age 18 or over

• 360 *Sea Service days (4 to 24hrs on any date, all = 1 day) as Master or Crew, not just a passenger,  since the age of 16).

• 90 of sea service days in the last 3 years

• Physical, drug test and eye exam

• Valid CPR/First Aid card

  • Valid CPR/First Aid card (American Red Cross, Heart Assoc. or USCG Approved course)

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card )

• All levels require completion of an USCG Approved Course and passing a written test.

• See USCG Website for official details and checklists. 

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The Two Basic Levels of MMC (aka "Captain's License"):

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1. Charter Boat Captain/6-pack/OUPV - Near Coastal: 

The basic level of Captain's License is the OUPV, Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels - Near Coastal. This allows you to take UP TO 6 paying passengers out to within 100 miles offshore (aka "Near Coastal"). Basic requirements:

• 360 *Sea Service Days since age 16;

• 90 of those 360 days in the last 3 years;

• NEAR COASTAL  requires 90 of the 360 days outside the boundary lines - seaward  (example).

• USCG Official Checklist: OUPV - Near Coastal

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2. Master 25-100T - Near Coastal:

This level allows you to take passengers for hire ACROSS NATIONAL BOUNDARIES, i.e. from Friday Harbor, WA, USA to Vancouver Island, BC, CANADA. Or from USVI to BVI.

NOTE: The Uninspected Passenger Vessel limitation of 6-passengers maximum still applies, even if you possess your 25T+ Master MMC. To carry more than 6 passengers the vessel must be INSPECTED and vessel passenger limits are set by the inspection.

• 720 *Sea Service Days underway experience since age 16;

• 90 of those 720 days in the last 3 years;

• 360 of those 720 days outside the boundary lines - seaward  (example).

• Tonnage rating depends vessel sizes on your Sea Service Days. 25T is minimum granted.

• USCG Checklist: Master 25-100T - Near Coastal

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*SEA SERVICE DAYS:

Each Sea Service Day must be documented FOR EACH VESSEL you've served aboard.

• Small Vessel Sea Service FORM, and INSTRUCTIONS.

  • yes, one for EACH VESSEL.  I created 60+ to meet my requirements because I sailed for a few days at a time aboard charters and friends boats and I needed all of them to account for my 720 days.​

  • YOU...may have your own boat and so this process can be MUCH simpler.

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Have questions?  Give us a call!  We are here to help you achieve your sailing goals!

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