CAPTAIN COURSES
We currently offer the U.S. Coast Guard Approved OUPV (“6-Pack”). Course and Exam on weekends.
Topics presented are based on the four-part USCG exam:
- Rules of the Road (Advanced)
- Navigation General (Buoys, Weather, Tides & Currents, etc.)
- Chart Plotting
- Deck General & Safety
Upon satisfactory course completion, students will receive our USCG documented certificate to be included in their USCG license application packet. The certificate indicate you have competed all the approved, exams in-house with us and exempts you from taking exams at the USCG.
We will also assist you in navigating the application process, so that your final application packet is complete, accurate and travels through the process without unnecessary delays.
If you plan on piloting commercial, inspected vessels (ferrys, dining cruise vessels, etc.), a three-day Upgrade to Master 100-ton course will be available in 2018.
If you need the Master’s license sooner, you will save money and better complement your work schedule by first taking the OUPV with us, and then we can recommend one of our friendly competitors’ upgrade courses.
6 Pack OUPV Requirements
We have developed an easy-to-understand checklist of the USCG OUPV requirements!
At Advanced Maritime Education, we understand that the application process itself can be intimidating. We help you put together all your paperwork, including tips on understanding, estimating, and documenting sea time, and affordable access to our local Medical Review Officer (MRO) for the physical and drug test.
We help guide you through the entire process, even after you’ve graduated from the course!
OUPV General Requirements
You have one year from completion of the course to submit your application to the Coast Guard.
You do not need to have any of the following completed before the start of the class!
• Application Submittal Checklist
• Homeland Security TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card)
– SSEB Screening complete
• OUPV Application (Form CG-719)
– Explanation for a YES in Section III of CG-719B (if needed)
– NDR Consent & Check
• Oath (administered at local REC when submitting application)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation – No longer Required!
• Minimum 18 Years of Age
• Physical Exam (Form CG-719K)
– Original License: within the past 1 year; Renewal License: within the past 3 years
– Medical Tab in MMLD
• Drug Testing Compliance (within the past 6 months)
• Mariner Fees Paid
• Copy of current credentials (if held)
• Sea Service Forms (Requirements Below)
• First Aid completed within 1 year of application (original only)
• CPR must be current (original only)
Sea Service Requirements – OUPV
Inland License
– 360 days of service, 90 days of which must be in the past 3 years
Near Coastal License
– 360 days of service, 90 days of which must be in the past 3 years (recency)
– 90 days of this service must be on Ocean or Near Coastal waters.
Great Lakes License
– 360 days of service, 90 days of which must be in the past 3 years (recency)
– 90 days of this service must be on Great Lakes.
Other Requirements
OUPV is limited to undocumented vessels and may be issued to non US Citizens
Exams
•Advanced Maritime OUPV Course Completion Certificate (exempts you from any further Coast Guard examinations)
USCG Licenses
Which License is for Me?
The type of license required depends on the type of vessel being operated:
– OUPV Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (the “6-pack” license) is
required for operating most recreational power and sail vessels.
– Master 25/50/100 Gross Tons is required for operating inspected, commercial
vessels, such as ferries and water taxis.
OUPV – Thousands of captains enjoy earning a living carrying passengers for hire under their 6-pack license.
This license is for operating uninspected, recreational-type vessels up to 100 gross tons capacity. These are vessels that are not specifically designed, approved nor built for commercial service. Examples would be recreational power boats and most auxiliary sail boats.
The scope of the OUPV License is the 75% base of the Master’s License, including Rules of the Road,Navigation General, Deck General/Safety, and Chart Plotting. The Master’s License requires and additional 25% classroom time and information, such as fixed firefighting systems and lifeboat operation.
You can easily upgrade from an OUPV License to a Master’s License later, without having to bite off the entire informational “apple” at once.
Regardless of the size of vessel or whether you hold a master’s license (see below), uninspected vessels may only carry a maximum of six paying passengers.
MASTER 100 Ton – Master’s Upgrade course (three-day course – follows the OUPV Course) coming in 2017!
This license is for operating inspected vessels up to 100 gross tons and built for commercial use.
Examples would be ferry boats, sightseeing vessels, tugs, water taxis and dining event cruise vessels. Design, construction and stability testing are all overseen by the U. S. Coast Guard.
The Master’s license allows you to operate vessels within your maximum gross tonnage range – 25, 50 or 100 GT – with the maximum number of passengers determined by the ship’s certified passenger capacity.
While the Master 100-Ton may carry a bit more prestige in certain circles, both licenses are fully recognized U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s Licenses.
INSTRUCTORS
Serving the boating community since 1982, Capt. Robert McCreary has sailed and piloted recreational and commercial passenger and event cruise vessels professionally since 1986. His experience includes national-level maritime education oversight, charter business administration, seminars, transportation, tourism, recreation, television, radio, corporate events, and U.S. Coast Guard captain’s licensing.
A U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton licensed captain, ASA and Red Cross certified instructor since 1986, Robert is a published educator with instructional design experience ranging from end-to-end program implementation to captain’s license training.
Capt. Robert McCreary
USCG 100-Ton Master (5th Consecutive License Issue)
Previously a Coast Guard certified instructor and examiner for three USCG-approved captain’s licensing schools, Robert also served as the American Sailing Association’s National Education Coordinator, administering educational standards and instructor training to more than 300 charter yacht sailing schools and 3500 instructors worldwide. Robert was named ASA Outstanding Instructor for 2015.
Robert currently pilots commercial dining cruise vessels, skippers coastal and offshore deliveries of new yachts for dealers from Vancouver to Ensenada, serves as a yacht racing tactician and coach, presents boat show cruising and racing seminars, and is a yacht purchase and owner consultant.
Learning to sail on Oakland’s Lake Merritt in 1974, Robert has since taught small- and big-boat sailing and powerboating at all levels to adults and children up and down the West Coast and in the Rocky Mountains, founding and advising several community-based and commercial sailing schools, and programs designed for physically challenged, inner-city youth, women, and seniors.
Capt. John Beard
Third Mate, Unlimited Tonnage – All Oceans
Celebrating decades of maritime education, Capt. John Beard is a 1976 graduate and Board Member of the California Maritime Academy. John served most recently for 34 years with Golden Gate Ferry as Vessel Master, including 10 years training captains as Supervising Vessel Master.
As captain of numerous private yachts on San Francisco Bay, John also holds Able Seaman (Any Waters, Unlimited), Lifeboatman, and Radar Observer Unlimited certifications.
A lifelong educator, John is a big-boat vessel handling instructor, a certified Master golf instructor, a certified instructor in self-defense, group exercise leader, and is an EFT
Level II in energy medicine.
John began his career at a young age in the Sea Scouts, earning the Quartermaster Award (similar to Eagle Scout). After graduating from CMA, he sailed as Third mate with the Army Corps of Engineer on Dredges, and as Third mate with Matson shipping and Lion Oil.
CAPTAIN CLASS SCHEDULE
The OUPV “6-Pack” 3-Weekend Course Format is as follows:
3 Friday Evenings from 7pm – 10pm
3 Saturdays from 8:30am – 6pm
3 Sundays from 8:30am – 6pm
1 Four-hour Final Exam following Weekend 3:
Monday from 11am-3pm OR Tuesday from 12pm-4p
UPCOMING WEEKEND CLASSES!
May 2018 – San Francisco Bay
OUPV 6-Pack
May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17(Thursday!), 19, 20
Final Exam Offered
Mon., May 21 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., May 22 from 12pm – 4 pm
October 2018 – San Francisco Bay
OUPV 6-Pack
October 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
Final Exam Offered
Mon., Oct. 29 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., Oct. 30 from 12pm – 4 pm
December 2018 – San Francisco Bay
OUPV 6-Pack
November 30, Dec. 1, 2
December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16
Final Exam Offered
Mon., Dec. 17 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., Dec. 18 from 12pm – 4 pm
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April 2018 – Long Beach
OUPV 6-Pack
April 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
Weekend Break – No Class
27, 28 , 29
Final Exam Offered
Mon., Apr. 30 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., May 1 from 12pm – 4 pm
June 2018 – Long Beach
OUPV 6-Pack
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
Final Exam Offered
Mon., June 18 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., June 19 from 12pm – 4 pm
September 2018 – Long Beach
OUPV 6-Pack
September 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
Final Exam Offered
Mon., Oct. 1 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., Oct. 2 from 12pm – 4 pm
November 2018 – Long Beach
OUPV 6-Pack
November 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18
Final Exam Offered
Mon., Nov. 19 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., Nov. 20 from 12pm – 4 pm
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October 2018 – Lake Tahoe, NV
OUPV 6-Pack
October 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
Final Exam Offered
Mon., Oct. 29 from 12pm – 4 pm OR
Tues., Oct. 30 from 12pm – 4 pm
Don’t let another boating season pass you by – enroll now!
The Master’s 25/50/100-Ton Upgrade One-Weekend Course Format will be as follows:
- Friday & Saturday from 9-5
- Sunday from 8:30-6
Note: Master’s Upgrade Course will be available in 2018!
ENROLL NOW
Classes are conducted by Advanced Maritime Education, 369-B Third St. Box 309, San Rafael, CA 94901.
Be sure to include your name, phone number, e-mail address, and for which class you are enrolling.
Be sure to click the “See Details” link for specific dates and for our cancellation policy.