Wow, what an experience. I was just issued a USCG "OUPV" (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel or 6-pack) license. I certainly learned a lot, and now can continue towards my dream of chartering in the Caribbean.
Here's what it took:
1) About $1000 total
2) About 6 weeks total
Here's what you do:
1) Pay for and take an exam training course. You can take quizzes on-line. If you study about an hour a night for a couple of weeks, you can get to where you score %100 on the quizzes most all of the time. There are 4 sections: Rules of the Road, Deck General, Navigation, Plotting (on a chart).
2) Go take the final exam with the course company. Pass. In my particular case, I finished the 4-hour exam in one hour. My scores were 100%, 96%, 92% and 80% on the above sections. Not bad!
Then, on to the USCG application requirements:
1) Obtain a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card. Your basic FBI background check, costs $145.
2) Complete physical exam with color vision and hearing tests.
3) D.O.T. 5-panel drug test.
4) First aid/CPR training certificate.
5) Sea service form- show at least 360 DAYS on the water in the last 5 years. That works out to about 8 days per month, every month. If you own your own boat, you can sign off your own form.
6) Three letters of character reference.
7) Exam passing certificate
8) $145 USCG fee
9) The USCG application form itself.
Take all these materials (took about 4 weeks to get it all together), then scan to a .pdf file, and then send it as an e-mail attachment to the USCG regional REC.
Amazingly, they notify you back quickly via e-mail after receiving your application, and periodically as your packet works its way through the approval process. Mine took exactly 2 weeks from receipt to issue. Not bad! I’d say the USCG has a fairly modern and speedy process in place.
So, although they don’t just give these away, it is possible to get an OUPV license with a little concentration and effort. I believe the course has made me a smarter and safer sailor. Plus, now, I really am “Captain” Rick !
Captain Rick Powers
(USCG OUPV)
1999 Catalina 36 mk II
Hull#1745
Std Rig, Fin Keel
Palo Alto, California
San Francisco Bay
Capt Rick
Congratulations. Weclcome to the Club. I obtained a Six-Pac Certificate a few years ago after boating for over 50 years (60 years now). I though I knew everything there is about boating, but learned a lot more by studying for the Certificate.
My wife, who had taken every course that the Power Squadren gives and has taught a few helped me with my studying. After passing all the tests, the Coast Guard Company that issues the Certificates gave me a hard time because I take some meds for a very common and slight heart problem. I had to take an EKG and stress test which I passed without any problem and I had to have letters from two doctors saying I was on meds and the problem was under control. After being given the run-around for ten months I wrote to the Commadant of the Coast Guard and had my Certificate in hand within a week.
I have no intention of using the license, but it had been on my "Bucket List" for 20 years so I did it. I also wanted to fly an airplane and did that for 30 hours. If you think sailing is expensive don't take up flying. Next on my list is learning to play the drums, but I am having a hard time convincing my wife to put a drum set in the living room. I guess I'll have to rent a garage someplace and start up a Garage Band or maybe I'll just put the drum set on my C36 and sit out in the harbor where I can play undisturbed.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Congrats Rick! I have my OUPV/100GT ticket also. I ran charters on a 30' powerboat to the Channel Islands National Park for several years and it was always very satisfying to me watching the wide eyes of my passengers as I shared the magic of the ocean with them.
I am friends with a skipper from here who works as a captain at a sailing school in the US Virgin Islands during the season. He reports that the very ease with which you described acquiring your OUPV ticket diminishes its worth in the eyes of other nations. Specifically, he said that coasties from the BVI and the Bahamas were not honoring the USCG OUPV ticket, and in at least one case they had impounded a boat during a charter! Apparently the British RYA certificate is much more widely known and respected in other parts of the world. So I would do some research before beginning charters in the Caribbean.
Either way, you can start right now, where you live! There are burials-at-sea, sailing lessons, evening cruises etc etc that you can now offer. Congratulations and good luck!
- Nick
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
Good for you, congratulations.
Allan Rex
# 2216
Way yo go Rick!! That is on My bucket list. MIke, I happen to be a professional drummer; I have only played drums and all types of percussion insturments for 48 years. Come on up to North Caroliina and I will give some free drum lessons!
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
[QUOTE=caprice 1050;11192]Next on my list is learning to play the drums, but I am having a hard time convincing my wife to put a drum set in the living room. I guess I'll have to rent a garage someplace and start up a Garage Band or maybe I'll just put the drum set on my C36 and sit out in the harbor where I can play undisturbed.[/QUOTE]
Get electronic drums; I have a set (though I play guitar), which we use for rehearsals for my rock band in the basement. They have a [I]volume control[/I]; makes your spouse and neighbors much happier.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Congrats, Captain Rick! I love to see people have a goal and then work diligently towards fulfilling it. Reminds me of America in the old days. ;)
And I just learned a few things about my friend and (almost) neighbor, Mike Savino. I always thought those electronic drum pads would be really cool, but I am trying to make the time to learn acoustic guitar.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/