Ohio 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.
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Quick read
OUPV Inland (Six-Pack) operates uninspected <=6-passenger charter boats inside COLREGs demarcation lines (bays, sounds, lakes, rivers). In Ohio, candidates commonly operate around Lake Erie (Port Clinton, Sandusky, Marblehead), Cleveland. The nearest REC is Toledo, OH.
Credential requirements last verified .
Credential
OUPV Inland
Nearest REC
Toledo, OH
Route
Inland waters
Use the Ohio overview to choose between OUPV, Master 25, Master 50, and Master 100 before narrowing this credential checklist. Because the credential is federal, the national OUPV six-pack guide carries the full requirement detail — Ohio only changes your nearest REC and local operating context.
Document 360 days of sea service, with 90 qualifying days within the last 7 years.
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 Toledo, OH, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.
Ohio OUPV Inland candidates usually serve lakes, bays, sounds, rivers, or other waters inside the COLREGs demarcation lines. It is the simplest federal path for six-passenger charter work around Lake Erie (Port Clinton, Sandusky, Marblehead), Cleveland.
Under 46 CFR 11.467, an OUPV Inland applicant needs 12 months (about 360 days) of vessel-operation experience. Current USCG Policy Letter 02-25 applies a 90-day recency test within the 7 years before application. The inland endorsement covers Ohio six-passenger charters on inland waters inside the COLREGs demarcation lines and excludes the Great Lakes and waters more than the near-coastal limit offshore.
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%.
Although 46 CFR 11.201(c) still prints a 3-year window for most non-uniformed-service applicants, current USCG Policy Letter 02-25 directs the NMC to treat 90 qualifying days within the 7 years before application as meeting the recent-service requirement.
REC Toledo is on Lake Erie. Lake Erie walleye and perch charter is one of the largest charter segments in the Great Lakes — OUPV Inland is the typical credential. 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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Lessons and drills cite 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, and Bowditch so your prep matches what the USCG tests. Answer 5 real, cited questions free.