OUPV Near-Coastal Captain License Requirements in Alabama

What to prepare for

1. 1.

   Document 360 days of sea service, including qualifying near-coastal/ocean time for the offshore route and 90 qualifying days within the last 7 years.

2. 2.

   Complete the CG-719K physical, drug test, TWIC, CPR, and First Aid requirements.

3. 3.

   Study Rules of the Road, Deck General, Deck Safety, and Navigation General.

4. 4.

   Schedule the exam at REC New Orleans, LA, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.

How OUPV Near-Coastal sea service is evaluated in Alabama

Under 46 CFR 11.467, an OUPV Near-Coastal applicant needs 12 months (about 360 days) of vessel-operation experience, including at least 3 months (90 days) on ocean or near-coastal waters. Separately, current USCG Policy Letter 02-25 applies a 90-day recency test within the 7 years before application. The endorsement authorizes Alabama six-passenger charters on waters not more than 100 miles offshore, plus the Great Lakes and all inland waters.

Total service

360 days (12 months)

Offshore minimum

90 days ocean/near-coastal

Route limit

≤100 miles offshore

How a day and route credit are counted

Under 46 CFR 10.232(h), a sea-service day is generally 8 hours of watchstanding or day-working. On a vessel under 100 GRT, the Coast Guard may accept a shorter operating day when the vessel's schedule makes 8 hours inappropriate, but never less than 4 hours. For an oceans or near-coastal endorsement, 46 CFR 11.211(b) credits Great Lakes service day-for-day for up to 100% of the requirement and other U.S. inland service day-for-day for up to 50%. The two-days-experience-for-one-day rules in 46 CFR 11.211(d)-(e) apply only to specified ATB, ITB, or towing-vessel service toward the large-vessel service required for an unlimited officer endorsement; they do not double OUPV sea time.

Why the 90 offshore days matter

46 CFR 11.467 only issues the Near-Coastal route when at least 90 of the 360 days were earned on ocean or near-coastal waters. Inland-only days keep you on the Inland OUPV, so log offshore time on the right route to avoid a downgraded endorsement.

After you qualify: the federal exam and renewal

A OUPV Near-Coastal (Six-Pack) in Alabama is a federal Merchant Mariner Credential endorsement, so the steps after your sea time are the same in every state. First comes the written test — the USCG exam format and module breakdown shows exactly which subjects your route is tested on and the 90% Rules-of-the-Road and Chart-Plot pass marks before you book a Regional Examination Center seat.

Once issued, the credential runs on a five-year cycle under 46 CFR 10.227. When it comes due, the USCG license renewal process — forms, cost, and the medical certificate is identical in Alabama as it is nationwide. For the full original-application checklist, start with how to get a captain’s license.