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

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The primary requirements are:

• Age 18 or over

• 360 days underway experience (4 to 24hrs on any date, all = 1 day)

• 90 of those 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)

• Completion of the USCG exam OR

• Completion of a USCG approved course like the BOATWISE OUPV class

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card )

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FOUR BASIC MERCHANT MARINER CAPTAIN'S LICENSE LEVEL OVERVIEW:

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

• See USCG Website for official details.

• Inland (shoreward) and Seaward (

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1. Master Inland: 

Does not allow for any "for hire" on coastal waters.  Inland only, rivers, lakes, etc.

• 360 *Sea Service Days since age 16;

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

• NONE of those 360 days need be outside the boundary lines - seaward (example).  

2. Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) Near Coastal - (aka 6pack):

This is the basic level you need to take UP TO 6 passengers for hire on coastal waters. 

• 360 *Sea Service Days since age 16;

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

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

3. Master Inland/Mate Near Coastal: 

• 360 *Sea Service Days since age 16;

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

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

4. Master 25Ton Near Coastal:

This level allows you to take passengers for hire ACROSS NATIONAL BOUNDARIES, i.e. from San Juan Islands, WA in USA to Gulf Islands, CAN.  Or from USVI to BVI.

• 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 on typical vessel size you were aboard for Sea Service Days.

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*SEA SERVICE DAYS:

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

• Small Vessel Sea Service FORM

  • yes, one for EACH VESSEL.  I created 30+ 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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