You can now obtain your captain’s license through The Captain School — a series of courses to be offered by The Antique Boat Museum in collaboration with True Course. Starting in November, courses include Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV), Masters Upgrade, and Towing Endorsement. Once all coursework and testing is completed, students have the materials to apply for their Merchant Mariner Credential through the U.S. Coast Guard at the OUPV or Masters level up to 100GRT, with the option to add Towing Endorsement.
These courses are vital to anyone looking to carry passengers for hire, as Merchant Mariner Credentials are legally required to convey passengers for hire, including for fishing charters, tour boats, diving excursions, water transport and piloting instruction. U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains are also required for commercial operations like ferries, tugboats and supply boats.
Registration is currently open at abm.org, as well as further information and links to register online, and the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center MMC Application checklist.
Course Dates & Times:
OUPV – November 6-14 from 6-10 p.m. on weekdays and 9-5 p.m. on weekends, exam on November 17 from 9-12 p.m.
Masters Upgrade – November 18-20 from 9-6 p.m., exam on November 21 from 9-12 p.m.
Towing Endorsement – Later part of the OUPV dates (November 10, 11, and/or 12).