Georgia Captain's License Requirements (2026)

What a “Georgia captain's license” actually means#

It isn't a state license — it's the same federal USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an OUPV or Master endorsement, used nationwide.

Credential issuer

USCG National Maritime Center.

Nearest exam route

REC Charleston, SC / Miami, FL.

Local route clue

Offshore or coastal charters around Savannah usually start with OUPV Near-Coastal, then compare Master 50/100 for inspected boats.

Which Rules of the Road apply on Georgia water#

Georgia's short coast takes three sections, and the two at the ends are shared with the neighbouring states. The Savannah River line at 33 CFR 80.715 runs from the southernmost tank on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, by way of Bloody Point Range Rear Light, to Tybee Light — so a Savannah trip's demarcation is drawn partly from a South Carolina landmark. Between Tybee and St. Simons (80.717) and from St. Simons to Amelia Island, Florida (80.720), lines close the sounds, which leaves the whole Georgia sound-and-marsh system as Inland Rules water. The exam-relevant point for a Brunswick or St. Simons operator is that the shift to the International Rules happens seaward of the sound entrances, not at the beach.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines covering Georgia — 33 CFR Part 80

• 33 CFR 80.715Savannah Riverline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.717Tybee Island, GA to St. Simons Island, GAline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.720St. Simons Island, GA to Amelia Island, FLline drawn — Inland water inside

This decides which rulebook you steer by, not where your credential may operate: the route limit is the 46 CFR Part 7 Boundary Line, and the two lines are not drawn in the same place. How the two lines differ · International Rules · Inland Rules

33 CFR Part 80 and the Part 83 definitions above read from eCFR on 12 Aug 2026. Any specific water is a determination for the cognizant Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

Which credential do Georgia charter captains need?#

Not sure the trip needs a credential at all? The captain's-license trigger guide.

Credentials charter captains pursue in Georgia

• OUPV Inland (Six-Pack) — operates uninspected <=6-passenger charter boats on inland waters other than the Great Lakes — bays, sounds, inland lakes, and rivers.
• OUPV Near-Coastal (Six-Pack) — extends OUPV to 100 nautical miles offshore — the credential for offshore canyon and bluewater six-pack operators.
• Master 50 GT — mid-tier inspected-vessel master — typical for charter sport-fish operations under 50 gross tons.