Hawaii Captain's License Requirements (2026)

What a “Hawaii 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 Honolulu, HI.

Local route clue

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

Which Rules of the Road apply on Hawaii water#

Hawaii inverts the usual arrangement. 33 CFR 80.1410 states the general rule for the islands — the 72 COLREGS apply on all bays, harbors and lagoons of the Hawaiian Islands, including Midway — and then seven sections carve out the exceptions where a line is drawn: Mamala Bay and Kaneohe Bay on Oahu (80.1420, 80.1430), Port Allen and Nawiliwili on Kauai (80.1440, 80.1450), Kahului on Maui (80.1460), and Kawaihae and Hilo on the Big Island (80.1470, 80.1480). Everywhere else — a Kona charter, Lahaina roadstead, Hanalei Bay — is International Rules water inside the bay. That is the opposite of the mainland default, and it is the single most useful thing a Hawaii candidate can know before the closed-book module.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines covering Hawaii — 33 CFR Part 80

• 33 CFR 80.1410Hawaiian Island Exemption from General Rule72 COLREGS apply — no inland water here
• 33 CFR 80.1420Mamala Bay, Oahu, HIline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.1430Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, HIline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.1440Port Allen, Kauai, HIline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.1450Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai, HIline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.1460Kahului Harbor, Maui, HIline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.1470Kawaihae Harbor, Hawaii, HIline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.1480Hilo Harbor, Hawaii, HIline drawn — Inland water inside

Both kinds of section appear above, so "Hawaii" is not by itself an answer — the water is. 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 Hawaii charter captains need?#

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

Credentials charter captains pursue in Hawaii

• 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.
• Master 100 GT — full inspected-vessel master up to 100 GT — required for larger charter and tour vessels.