OUPV Near-Coastal Captain License Requirements in Maine

Maine does not issue this credential. The license is federal, evaluated by the USCG National Maritime Center, and examined through a Regional Examination Center or approved course.

Quick read

Use this page to check OUPV Near-Coastal captain license requirements in Maine: sea time, offshore route, exam, TWIC, medical, and REC Boston, MA planning. In Maine, candidates commonly operate around Portland, Kennebunkport, Bar Harbor. The nearest REC is Boston, MA.

Credential requirements last verified May 30, 2026.

Primary sources for OUPV Near-Coastal (Six-Pack) requirements

eCFR 46 CFR 11.467 OUPV (less than 100 GRT) endorsement requirements (retrieved May 30, 2026)
eCFR 46 CFR 11.211 creditable sea service and equivalents (retrieved May 30, 2026)
eCFR 46 CFR 11.201(c) sea-service recency (3 months within 3 years) (retrieved May 30, 2026)
USCG NMC Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) checklist (retrieved May 30, 2026)

Credential

OUPV Near-Coastal

Nearest REC

Boston, MA

Route

Near coastal

Compare every Maine captain's license path

Use the Maine overview to choose between OUPV, Master 25, Master 50, and Master 100 before narrowing this credential checklist.

See all Maine captain's license requirements

What to prepare for

Document 360 days of sea service, including qualifying near-coastal/ocean time for the offshore route.
Complete the CG-719K physical, drug test, TWIC, CPR, and First Aid requirements.
Study Rules of the Road, Deck General, Deck Safety, and Navigation General.
Schedule the exam at REC Boston, MA, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.

OUPV Near-Coastal requirements in Maine

Maine OUPV Near-Coastal candidates need the six-passenger authority plus qualifying offshore or near-coastal service. Use this route when your charters leave protected waters around Portland, Kennebunkport, Bar Harbor and you need the COLREGs exam path.

Sea time: 360 days
Exam focus: Rules, deck, safety, navigation
Local signal: Portland + Kennebunkport

How OUPV Near-Coastal sea service is evaluated in Maine

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. The endorsement authorizes Maine 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

What counts as a day

Under 46 CFR 11.211 a creditable day is generally 8 hours of watchstanding or day-working. Great Lakes service counts day-for-day; inland-waters service outside the Great Lakes is creditable day-for-day for up to 50% of the total requirement, and towing or ATB/ITB service counts on a two-for-one basis up to 50%.

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.

Local operating context

Maine's charter fleet runs heavy on lobster-day and tour boats; OUPV Near-Coastal is standard. Some Bar Harbor operations pursue Master 100 for the larger windjammers and overnight charters. For exam prep, the federal question set does not change by state, but your likely route matters: inland candidates lean harder on Inland Rules and aids to navigation, while near-coastal candidates need COLREGs, navigation, weather, and chart-work discipline.

Questions candidates ask before applying

Do Maine captains need a state license or a USCG license?

Passenger-for-hire authority is federal. A state may regulate businesses, fishing guides, or local permits, but the captain credential itself is issued by the USCG.

What is the fastest OUPV path?

Start with sea-service letters, the CG-719K medical exam, drug-test compliance, TWIC, CPR/First Aid, and Rules of the Road study. Missing paperwork usually slows the application more than the exam.

Should I choose Inland or Near-Coastal?

Choose Inland for protected or inland waters inside the COLREGs demarcation lines. Choose Near-Coastal when your work requires offshore authority and qualifying ocean or near-coastal sea time.

Same credential nearby

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CaptainsGround links lessons and drills to 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, and Bowditch citations so your prep matches the material the USCG tests.

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