OUPV (Six-Pak) Course Information and Requirements
The US Coast Guard Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) license allows the holder to act as an operator of any uninspected vessel up to 100 Gross Tons. These vessels are limited to carrying six passengers for hire which is why this license is often referred to as the "Six-pak". An example of an uninspected vessel could be a small charter boat or a small assistance towing vessel such as those operated by Safe/Sea.

·         Prerequisite Sea Time Experience: The OUPV/Six-Pak candidate must have a significant amount of sea time experience prior to taking the course. The candidate must have at least 360 days of sea time before he or she is eligible to take a USCG Captain's Course. The US Coast Guard defines one day as 4 hours underway. There are exceptions for professional mariners working several shifts in one day and those who live aboard. For more information about documenting your sea time please click here.

o        360 Days

o        90 of the 360 days must be within the past three years

o        90 of the 360 days must be outside of the boundary lines. For more information about the boundary lines please CLICK HERE.

o        50% of the experience must be obtained after the age of 16

Click here for more information about OUPV (Six Pak).

The candidate must be 18 years of age to enroll in an OUPV/Six-Pak Course

All candidates must have a firm understanding of the English language.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be required to submit a paperwork package to the USCG in order for his or her license to be commercially endorsed. Therefore the student will need to be able to pass a physical examination, drug test, get a TWIC card, is first/aid CPR certified and prove that he or she is eligible to work legally in the United States. Please note that OUPV/Six-Pak Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States but do not have to be US Citizens.

Master 100 Ton Course Information and Requirements
The US Coast Guard Master 100 Gross Tons license allows the holder to act as an operator of any vessel up to 100 Gross Tons (GT) regardless of whether or not it is inspected by the US Coast Guard. An example of an inspected boat that would require the operator to hold a master's license could be; a high speed ferry, a whale watch boat, or a charter boat certified to carry more than six passengers. Students that successfully complete the Master 100GT course at Confident Captain will be issued a license by the USCG that reflects the tonnage of their sea time experience. For example, if the candidate successfully completed the Master 100GT course at Confident Captain yet all of his or her experience was on very small vessels on inland waters, the candidate would be issued a Master 25 Ton Inland Water License. Licenses are issued for 25, 50 or 100GT depending on the candidates documented experience.

·         Prerequisite Sea Time Experience: The Master 100 Ton candidate must have a significant amount of sea time experience prior to taking the course. The candidate must have at least 360 days of sea time before he or she is eligible to take a USCG Captain's Course. The US Coast Guard defines one day as 4 hours underway. There are exceptions for professional mariners working several shifts in one day and those who live aboard. For more information about documenting your sea time please click here.

o        Master Inland/OUPV: 360 Days of sea-time since the age of 13, 90 of the 360 days must be within the last 3 years, 50% of the 360 days must have been acquired since the age of 16.

o        Master Inland/Mate Near Coastal: 360 Days of sea-time since the age of 13, 90 of the 360 days must be within the last 3 years, 180 of the 360 days must be outside the boundary lines, and 50% of the 360 days must be acquired since the age of 16.

o        Master Near Coastal (to 100NM offshore): 720 days of sea-time since the age of 13, 90 of the 720 days must be within the last 3 years, 360 of the 720 days must be outside the boundary lines, and 50% of the 720 days must have been acquired since the age of 16.

·         The candidate must be 19 years of age to enroll in an OUPV/Six-Pak Course

·         All candidates must have a firm understanding of the English language.

·         Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be required to submit a paperwork package to the USCG in order for his or her license to be commercially endorsed. Therefore the student will need to be able to pass a physical examination, drug test, get a TWIC card, is first/aid CPR certified and prove that he or she is eligible to work legally in the United States. Please note that OUPV/Six-Pak Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States but do not have to be US Citizens.

 

Able Seaman (AB) Course Information and Requirements
The Able Seaman curriculum includes 40 hours of formal classroom training in deck safety, general deck duties, general navigation and rules of the road. In addition, students will be trained in marlinspike seamanship. Please note that this course does not meet the requirements for PSC or Lifeboatman which is required for AB Unlimited, Limited, or Special.

·         Prerequisite Sea Time Experience: The prerequisite sea-time experience will differ with the exact AB license for which the candidate is applying. Please see the following list for specific information.

o        Able Seaman - Unlimited: Three years (1080 days) service on deck on vessels operating on the oceans or the Great Lakes.

o        Able Seaman - Limited: Eighteen months (540 days) service on deck in vessels of 100 Gross Register Tons (Domestic Tonnage) or over in a service not exclusively confined to rivers and smaller inland lakes of the U.S.

o        Able Seaman - Special: Twelve months (360 days) service on deck on vessels operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the U.S. including the Great Lakes.

o        Able Seaman - Mobile Offshore Unit (MOU): Twelve months (360 days) service on deck in vessels of at least 65 feet in length operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the U.S.

o        Able Seaman - Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV):Six months (180 days) service on deck on vessels operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the U.S. including the Great Lakes.

o        Able Seaman - Fishing Industry (FISH IND):Six months (180 days) service on deck on vessels operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the U.S. including the Great Lakes.

o        Able Seaman - Sail: Six months (180 days) service on deck on sailing school vessels operating on the oceans or navigable waters of the U.S. including the Great Lakes.

·         The candidate must be 18 years of age to enroll in an Able Seaman Course

·         Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be required to submit a paperwork package to the USCG in order for his or her license to be commercially endorsed. Therefore the student will need to be able to pass a physical examination, drug test, get a TWIC card, is first/aid CPR certified and prove that he or she is eligible to work legally in the United States. Please note that OUPV/Six-Pak Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States but do not have to be US Citizens.

STCW-95 Course Information and Requirements
The STCW '95 Basic Safety Training Course, which is instructed in compliance with STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2, provides CC/OP trainees with instruction and exercises in personal survival techniques, firefighting, first aid & CPR, personal safety and social responsibilities. This hands on course is essential to any person who may be spending a significant amount of time on the water.

·         Prerequisite: All candidates must be 18 years old, have a firm understanding of the English language, be in reasonable physical health, and know how to swim.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail Certification Information and Requirements:
Confident Captain/Ocean Pros now serves as one of only two elite facilities in the United States that is qualified to provide RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification to eligible candidates. The Yachtmaster Offshore certification is considered the "certificate to have" for the professional yachtsman. Holding a Yachtmaster Offshore certification opens a whole new world of opportunities in the yachting industry by certifying the holder to run vessels up to 200 tons, including many foreign-flagged vessels. The Yachtmaster Offshore certification is recognized in over 22 countries and is also one of the most respected certifications that a skipper can hold. A symbol of skill and excellence, the Yachtmaster Offshore certification will help you take your career to new horizons.

·         Prerequisite Requirements:

o        50 days, 5 as skipper, totaling 2,500 miles

o        5 passages over 60 miles, including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper

o        First Aid/CPR Certification*

o        VHF/SRC*

o        Copy of application*

o        2 Passport sized photos*

·         Additional Information: Confident Captain students often choose to get their Yachtmaster Offshore Certification commercially endorsed. If a candidate chooses to go this route, you will have to provide documentation of all of the following in addition to all of that listed above:

o        STCW-95 (Which is available at Confident Captain)*

o        Original copy of ENG-1*: This is a physical examination which is given in Newport, RI. Please contact us for additional information about where to get your ENG-1.

·         * These Items do not need to be submitted to Confident Captain staff in order to enroll in the course but will be required at the time of examination.