What are the requirements to be a ship captain?

Question

What are the requirements to be a ship captain?

Answer 1

In the US, one year's sea time as Chief MAte on a ship of similar gross tonnage, Then take and pass the USCG test.

Answer 2

Depends on what size ship.  Licenses are given out in Gross Tonnage and also the area that you can operate in.

There is a Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel. this also called a six-pak license.

There is a Master License to allow you to carry more than 6 passengers.  

Then the USCG makes you qualify for Inland Waters - (requires 360 days of sea time) or Near Coastal Waters (360 days for OUPV - 720 days for a Master) , or All Oceans .

You can take a USCG approved course to get your license, attend a merchant mariner school to get into larger vessels.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

You have to have a license and be hired by a ship owner, or buy a ship of your own and make yourself captain.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 4

You have to look good in white.

and like those epilets on your shoulders.

Knowing how to handle a boat would be good......

but eh----look at all the oil spills.......

not really necessary apparently.