How does one become a boat captain?

Question

I mean professionaly not leisurely

Answer 1

It would possibly be a way to go and get your sea legs first with an actuale sailing vessel like the 1's up around Alaska and get some experiance as most companys are not gonna turn you loose on a ship without getting a little splash of seawater in your hair and they may have a guild like for example pipe fitters guild or such

Answer 2

You will need to go to the US Coast Guard. Look for a Regional Exam Center (REC). You will need to document at least one year (360 8 hour days) of seatime. For a OUPV license or a license up to 100 tons you can use time accumalated onboard recreational boats and yachts. But you MUST document that time. Time also served aboard commerical boats, navy and coast guard ships/boats (Must have been in the deck department as a seaman), commercial fishing and charter boats as a deckhand also counts.

I took this from the web:

OUPV (6-pack) Captain’s License

The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels License allows you to take up to six passengers for hire on uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons/100 miles offshore. The license will allow you the opportunity to earn money on the water while doing something you love. Please note that Non U.S. Citizens may be restricted to undocumented vessels with a 5 net ton limit.

Requirements

To obtain an OUPV license, you need to show 360 days’ experience on Inland or Near Coastal waters – this experience can be on your own boat or someone else’s. Of the 360 total days:

90 days must be within the last 3 years

90 days must be on Great Lakes only if you want to obtain a Great Lakes Routing on your license

90 days must be on Near Coastal waters to obtain a Near Coastal Routing

The following is a checklist of everything you need to apply for your OUPV License.



Coast Guard Application Form (CG-719B)

Sea Service Form (CG-719S)

Physical Examination Report (CG-719K)

Drug Test Report (5 Substance SAMSHA – CG-719-P)

Three Character References

Social Security Card

Proof of Citizenship

First Aid/CPR Certification

User Fees

Training Certificate

Answer 3

Buy a boat.

Answer 4

In the United States you need a Captain's license. They are availble through the United States Coast Guard.

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Answer 5

Wow you got a lot of information.

The requirements have been given to you in the other answers.

But you still need to get the license.  The USCG allows you to attend an approved training school that will teach you the required navigation rules, safety and seamanship,navigation knowledge and how to work with charts and publications.  They will also test you and when you pass the USCG will accept completing the course instead of testing at the REC.  You will have to make application to the USCG, have a physical and drug test, submit proof of your sea time and have 3 references, and complete a CPR/FA course.  

Visit the USCG National Maritime Center here:

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/default.asp

You can visit my web site:

http://www.chartercapt.com

Feel free to email me with any questions that I will try to help answer