Why get a USCG Captains License?

It was really interesting to see the mix of boaters in the OUPV class.  Ours was apparently a rather large class of about 24.  There were sailors and fishermen, divers, cruisers and offshore voyagers.  Each had a different reason for taking the course.  You can categorize our class loosely into four buckets with lots of individual nuances:

• Taking people out for hire (fishing, sailing, diving, sunset cruising)
• Wanting to know more
• Making a career move to sea duty
• Wanting to make that captain’s title official

Students working hard in the OUPV class.

The fishermen and divers wanted to turn a passion into a business, taking others out for a day of bliss on their boats.  One wanted to share the excitement and sacred mantra of catch and release. Some had already been chartering without realizing they needed a license.  For them, this was an issue of livelihood.  They needed the license to keep working and not risk heavy fines. Others were “rewiring” into a retirement profession.

There were power-boaters and sailors who simply wanted to know more.  They wanted to know who has the right of way in a crossing situation. They wanted to know what that giant container ship was signaling with the series of blasts on their horn.  They wanted to know proper radio and emergency management protocol.  They wanted to be sure they could get their vessel home if their skipper was suddenly incapacitated. They wanted to be better boaters.

There were those who were looking for a career change.  After retirement from a lifelong career at a desk, they wanted to make a business out of delivering or running other people’s boats.  To do that, they needed an official USCG license. 

There were sailors looking to strengthen their navigation skills and to clarify the rules of the road, especially being able to identify ships and their activities by their lights and signals at night.  There were the sailors who had traded up, were looking to retire, and thought they might supplement their income with a few charters in their golden years.  There was a novice sailor who had been invited to cross an ocean with friends, but wanted to make sure he could contribute to the success of the voyage.

Then there were the people who had their own boats and had called themselves captain all their lives and who now wanted the piece of paper to make it official.  There were those who also wanted it as validation of a level of knowledge that could be put to some other use, like writing and teaching.  And there were those who just wanted validation that they really knew what they thought they knew.

Overall, it was a fascinating and diverse group of people who banded together from the first day.  Of the 24 students in the OUPV class, 2 were women.  Read some of the comments from the students below.

Why I did it! Comments from participants in the OUPV and Master's Upgrade programs.

"...after 30 years of sailing and learning most of the material in the Navy 35 years ago, I still make mistakes every day I'm on the water (and probably always will); but I believe the material will make me a better mariner, and my cruises will be more professional and with fewer problems.  I also may do some chartering or deliveries if I ever get tired of moving my own boat offshore up and down the East Coast." Dennis

"I just sold my company and retired. Then, just as I was wondering what to do, one of the major boat manufacturers asked me to deliver boats for them in my spare time, with one catch. I'd have to get a Captain's license. Suddenly, I had lots of things to do with my time, and an exciting prospect for the future." John

"I have wanted to be a licensed captain all my life. When my wife said she was going to do this, I thought it was a great opportunity to join her. What a wonderful experience! I loved meeting all the people from different walks of life and learning from each and every one of them." Alex

"We just bought a new power boat and we charter in the Caribbean with friends every winter. I want to be able to take an active part and get help or get home if something happens to my husband, and this seemed like a good way to learn. Passing the tests was so rewarding. Secretly, I also want my friends to eat their words after years of making fun of me as the 'boat chick'. Wait till they have to call me Captain!" Joni

"Well, the big day has come and gone and I passed the test last night. It was a great month for me and passing the test was just the icing on the cake.   Thank you Captain John for presenting everything so clearly and efficiently during the course, you made the whole process easier than I ever expected going into this." Art

"Despite all I've learned, there is always so much more to learn. I have a reasonable grasp of navigation and aspects of seamanship, having sailed for many years aboard ever larger vessels and having studied advanced coastal navigation, weather prediction, HAM radio operation, emergency first aid, etc. But whenever we went offshore or on overnight trips, I found myself questioning the lights and the rules of the road. I had read about them, but I didn't really understand them. So I wanted to learn as much as possible, and if I was able to get an insurance discount or one day supplement the cruising kitty by chartering or delivery, then all the better! As a real bonus, the title of Captain is treated with respect. Mariners recognize that it takes hard work, skill, honor, and knowledge to deserve it." Daria

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