Frequently Asked Questions

Getting your Captains License in hand has several milestones and paperwork requirements you need to accomplish. Listed below are the different requirements. If you have any questions, give us a call at the school.

360 days of sea time going back to when you were 16 years old. 90 days of that needs to be in the past three years. See “how to document sea time”

Attended and complete the OUPV (6-pack) course or the master’s course. Pass the final exam given in 4 sections. For information on the sections see “Parts of the USCG Captain Exam.”

Apply for and obtain your TWIC card. “Obtaining your TWIC card.”

Complete your USCG Physical and drug testing requirements.

Fill out the USCG packet. ASOS has a packet assist program to help with the paperwork. We will walk you through the packet and document your sea time. For many students we will submit

and track your packet until you have your license in hand.

After completing all the steps above, the Captain School Gulf Shores Alabama will submit your packet to the USCG and monitor for any discrepancies noted in paperwork. In many cases we can correct “inhouse” and resubmit. If we need additional information, we will reach out directly to the student. For additional information the USCG NMC Website has a detailed checklist.

Part of getting your Captain license is documenting sea time. This can be done in several ways to fulfill USCG requirements.

Small Vessel Sea Service Form CG-719S (available in our application packet)

General Sea Service Letter for Military and others. (We will help you with this format)

Sea service tells the USCG how long you have been boating/working on the water, what waters you’ve been in, and what size vessels. Sea service means you have served on a vessel as crew or in an assigned position. For the recreational boat this may be handling lines, steering, lookout, or any other functions that helped the vessel underway. For your first license you may begin using time after your 16th birthday.

Sea service normally does not apply if you are a passenger only. Sea service does not expire, so it is important to keep a log or some type of record for every vessel you have time on. When possible, include the vessel documentation and registration on your log entry.

You must submit a separate small vessel sea service form for every vessel you have been underway on. You cannot combine vessels on the same form.

If you are the owner of the vessel, we need a copy of proof of ownership to submit with your sea service form, i.e., registration, bill of sale, purchase agreement etc.

If the captain/owner of a vessel that you served on is signing your sea service, they will sign in a separate block and document the registration or documentation number. No actual registration is required.

One of the common questions we get is what counts as a day of sea time? The USCG counts a day of sea time as follows.

If you are working on a vessel etc., then 8 hours of sea service equals 1 day of sea service.

If you are signing days on a recreational vessel then 4 hours equals 1 day.

There are other definitions to claim sea service time that apply to authorized vessels and military sea time. Questions on those, please give me a call to discuss.

A TWIC card is required for your first Captain License. After that it is required for workers that may need access to U.S. maritime facilities such as a controlled port. TWIC Card holders pass a background check and security threat evaluation conducted by TSA. Your TWIC is also valid to use as a TSA precheck card as long as it is valid.

TWIC card renewal. You are required to renew your TWIC card if you are actively working in a position that requires access to facilities or vessels that visit those ports. Most OUPV vessel owners do not need to renew their TWIC card after their first license.

TWIC card requirements?

• Pass a background security check
• Proof of identity and residency
• No serious legal convections
• U.S. citizen and a permanent resident. May be a naturalized citizen or a nonimmigrant alien or refugee who is in a lawful status.
• Must be able to present US passport, driver’s license, birth certificate or other like documents. Call me if you have specific questions.

How to get a TWIC card? TWIC card application online.

Obtaining your TWIC card is a simple process if you come prepared with the correct documents. When applying for your card for the first time please list your occupation as Merchant Mariner. Link for TWIC card application (https://www.tsa.gov/twic). Make sure when the question comes up asking if the TWIC is in connected to a merchant mariner application that you answer “yes”.

How much does a TWIC card cost?

TWIC card is currently 125.25 for the application. We recommend you make an appointment to avoid waiting. Please bring a copy of your birth certificate or passport and one other form of ID such as a driver’s license

Regardless of where you go to get your captains license, there will be four modules covered and tested.

Rules of the Road: This topic covers the International and Inland Regulations using the most current data out of the amalgamated USCG Rules of the Road. This section covers the lights, shapes and sounds required on different types of vessels. The rules go in depth into the different types of vessels and their responsibilities.

Navigation potting: This section covers the below topics. We supply the charts, student guide, plotting tools and everything else required for the course. If you don’t use our school be sure to ask questions about the “total cost” of the class. Some schools look like a bargain until you see all the added/hidden costs. Our course prices are “all inclusive” Call for class specific prices.

Topics Include:

• Course made good
• Chart familiarization
• Speed Made Good
• Estimated Time of Arrival
• Geographic Range
• Luminous Range
• Fixing Your Ships Position
• Calculating Tides
• Plate 1
• Coast Pilot
• Lights List

Navigation General: This section covers things like aids to navigation, tides and weather etc.

Topics Include:

• Weather
• Tides
• Publications
• Aids to Navigation and more

Deck General & Safety: This section covers subjects such as vessel maneuvering, engines, knots, firefighting etc.

I have been in this business as a mariner in some form or fashion for about 44 years. I bring a unique teaching style to the classroom. I teach; I don’t read PowerPoint slides. We are the premier maritime training provider in the Gulf Coast Region and north Alabama. Come experience the difference.

By the way, WE DO NOT OFFER ONLINE LICENSING, WE DON’T BELIEVE IN IT AND FEEL IS SHOULD NOT BE A PART OF ANY MARINERS PROFESIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

The short answer to the above question is be committed to the course. This is not a process that your can participate in,

you must be committed to study on a daily basis and focus for a few weeks on the course and the course alone.

Be prepared to absorb a large amount of information each day and throughout the 62 hours of instruction.

Once you have completed the class, we offer training on the water to practice the theory that you learned in class.

• We can conduct this training on our vessel or yours.
• We conduct the on the water training in 4 (four) or 8 (eight) hour time slots.
• The items we will cover while training on the water will be tailored to your specific need or desires.

Call for more information.

Include number of hours (e.g., 56–62 hours), days per week, and any weekend or evening options.

The OUPV Class hours are 62 hours and the Upgrade to Master 100 is 24 hours. The classes are taught either as night classes or day classes. The example class days and hours are listed below.

OUPV SCHEDULE: Night Class Schedule

MONDAY–FRIDAY 6PM-10PM SAT & SUN 8:30AM-5:30PM THE FOLLOWING WEEK IS MONDAY-FRIDAY 6PM-10PM AND TEST ON Saturday @ 8:30AM

STCW BASIC FIRST AID (TBD)

OUPV SCHEDULE: Day Class Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30PM OFF WEEKENDS MON & TUES 8:30AM-5:30PM EXAM THURSDAY @ 8:30AM

STCW BASIC FIRST AID, UPGRADE TO MASTER AND ASSISTANCE TOWING

NORMALY AFTER COMPLETION OF OUPV COURSE

To register for one of scheduled classes simply select the class desired from our menu, fill out the required USCG information form (Click Here), then select the deposit link (Click Here) and your are ready to go. Your remaining balance will be paid on the first day of class.