For this it is necessary to apply through the United States Coast Guard USCG. You will also need a captains license from a Federal Maritime Authority.
Attend Coast Guard-Approved Academy Training.
How do you become a boat captain. If you want to become a boat captain obtain your high school diploma or GED. After school enroll in a captains license class or a college program where youll learn about navigation tidal calculations international and inland boating. To simplify becoming a captain requires three things.
The first step in becoming the captain of any vessel is to gain experience either on your own boat or as a crew member on someone elses. You dont have to be a paid crew member to count your sea time toward a credential as long as youre aboard a registered vessel and the owner is willing. One way to become a boat captain is to start as a deckhand so you can acquire experience and accumulate the needed credentials for promotion.
Alternatively you can attend a maritime school or a. If you want to work for various statefederal agencies or boating companies youll need a captains license. As a recreational boater the license is definitely a boost to your resume and expresses to others your advanced knowledge of maritime rules and regulations but it is not a requirement.
The license is only necessary if you get paid to operate an auxiliary powered boat. In the US you need to contact the US Coast Guard for a local Regional Exam Center to take the necessary exams required by US law to work as a boat captain. Captains in a nations navy have usually received command and technical training at a naval academy or in an equivalent ROTC program served for several years in various roles within the fleet and consistently.
Most Ship and Boat Captains have a bachelors degree from a merchant marine academy. The academy programs offer a bachelors degree and a Merchant Marine Credential MMC with an endorsement as a third mate or third assistant engineer. Alternatively captains of deep-water vessels often gain formal training from merchant marine academies before being promoted to captains.
Attend Coast Guard-Approved Academy Training. Once you have the required amount of boating experience its just a matter of taking a course that prepares you for the captains license test gathering the required materials and completing a physical and drug test. The process may take anywhere from a few months to a year.
It takes about 8 years to qualify as a Master. Master is the official title but he is called the Captain. If you own a boat are you automatically captain.
If you own the boat you can call yourself whatever you like though Captain for a small boat is rather pretentious. Skipper or helmsman or coxswain would be more appropriate. To become a cruise ship captain start by focusing on getting good grades in math English and science courses in high school so youll be eligible to attend a Maritime Academy after you graduate.
While youre still in school try to find a job in a shipyard or on board a ship to learn the ins and outs of being. The Process. How to Become a Captain.
Much like when you are learning to drive a car you will first need to earn a license before you can legally captain a boat charter. For this it is necessary to apply through the United States Coast Guard USCG. Check out their website for more specific information.
A charter boat captains license is issued by the United States Coast Guard and is based upon the following criteria. Total days of service. Weight of the vessel.
There are four main categories of charter boat captain license. Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vehicles License OUPV One of the most popular types of boat captain license. The primary thing to become a Ship Captain is to choose the right education where the first step is to complete a bachelors degree or equivalent in Maritime Engineering.
There are a number of universities and engineering schools that offer the best Marine Engineering courses. If youre interested in becoming a charter boat captain one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. Weve determined that 636 of charter boat captains have a bachelors degree.
In terms of higher education levels we found that 93 of charter boat captains have masters degrees. Application for license with Oath done at MPT Documentation of sea time experience - letters or sea service forms signed by the vessels owner or captain or sea service forms signed by you for your own boat s or DD2-14 and Transcript of Service for your military sea service if applicable. To become a cruise ship captain you will need a high school diploma and a Bachelors Degree preferably in maritime studies.
A Masters Degree is also required by most ships. You will need years of experience on a sea vessel including outstanding on-the-job training. You will also need a captains license from a Federal Maritime Authority.
How to Become a Tugboat Captain A tugboat captain also known as a tug captain or tugboat operator is the pilot of a small vessel that helps a large boat or barge steer in tight spaces. Qualifications include completion of maritime training through the US. Merchant Marine Academy or other state academies as well as licensure.
We can train you for the Master of Yachts 200 Ton Limited Certificate previously known as Yachtmaster Offshore and the Master of Yachts 200 Ton Unlimted Certificate previously known as Yachtmaster Ocean. These captains licenses are MCA compliant and widely accepted for the commercial operation of both power and sailing yachts.