Answer all three questions to see your likely credential direction.
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How the finder decides
Three facts drive almost every small-vessel credentialing decision. The finder applies them conservatively and always defers the final call to the National Maritime Center.
Passengers for hire
Six or fewer on an uninspected vessel is the OUPV 'six-pack' line. More than six makes it an inspected passenger vessel — which requires a Master license, not OUPV.
Gross tonnage
Under 100 GRT is OUPV / Master 25–100 territory. The Coast Guard assigns the 25 / 50 / 100 GRT limit from the size of the vessels in your qualifying service (46 CFR 11.422).
Waters / route
Inland stays inside the COLREGs demarcation lines. OUPV Near Coastal reaches 100 nm offshore; a true oceans route requires a Master endorsement.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between OUPV and a Master license?
OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels, the 'six-pack') lets you carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel under 100 GRT. A Master license is required once you carry more than six passengers (an inspected vessel) or operate a larger vessel; the tonnage limit — 25, 50, or 100 GRT and up — is assigned from your qualifying sea service under 46 CFR 11.422.
Does OUPV cover offshore or ocean trips?
OUPV route endorsements stop at Near Coastal, which reaches 100 nautical miles offshore. For a true oceans route you need a Master endorsement (for vessels under 200 GRT, see 46 CFR 11.424), even if you carry six or fewer passengers.
Is this tool an official Coast Guard determination?
No. It is an educational estimate built from the credentialing rules in 46 CFR Part 11 and the passenger-vessel definitions in 46 U.S.C. 2101. The National Maritime Center makes the final decision on your endorsement, tonnage, and route after reviewing your application and documented sea time. Always confirm with the NMC or a Regional Examination Center before you enroll or apply.
Do I need a captain's license if I carry no passengers for hire?
It depends on the operation. Many very small uninspected vessels carrying no passengers for hire need no credential, but towing vessels require a Master or Mate of Towing Vessels endorsement (46 CFR 11.464) and larger uninspected vessels may require a Master of the appropriate tonnage. Confirm your specific case with the NMC.
Last verified:
Primary sources
- 46 U.S.C. 2101 — General definitions ('uninspected passenger vessel': under 100 GT, not more than 6 passengers) (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.467 — Requirements for a national endorsement as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels of less than 100 GRT (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.422 — Tonnage limits for Master or Mate of less than 200 GRT (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.428 — Requirements for Master of less than 100 GRT (Near Coastal) (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.455 — Requirements for Master of Great Lakes and inland self-propelled vessels of less than 100 GRT (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.457 — Requirements for Master of inland self-propelled vessels of less than 100 GRT (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.424 — Requirements for Master of ocean self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 11.464 — Requirements for national endorsements as Master of Towing Vessels (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR 15.905 — Manning requirements: uninspected passenger vessels (retrieved 2026-07-01)
- 46 CFR Part 11, Subpart D — Professional Requirements for National Deck Officer Endorsements (retrieved 2026-07-01)