Passenger limit
OUPV (Six-Pack)
6 paying
Master 100 GT
No fixed cap (set by vessel COI)
OUPV vs Master 100 — When to Upgrade
OUPV is the entry credential; Master 100 is the full-service upper tier. The decision usually comes down to how big a boat you'll operate and whether you'll carry more than six paying passengers.
Last verified:
Primary sources
- 46 CFR 11.422 — Tonnage limits for Master or Mate under 200 GRT (eCFR) (retrieved 2026-05-20)
- 46 CFR 11.457 — Master less than 100 GRT Inland service (eCFR) (retrieved 2026-05-20)
- USCG NMC — Master less than 100 GRT Near Coastal checklist (retrieved 2026-05-20)
- USCG NMC — Master less than 100 GRT Great Lakes/Inland checklist (retrieved 2026-05-20)
TL;DR
OUPV: 6 passengers, uninspected, 360 days sea time, 4-module exam. Master 100: inspected-vessel authority up to the tonnage limit the Coast Guard assigns from your qualifying service, with Near-Coastal normally using a 720-day service baseline and the Master exam adding Plotting + General.
Vessel inspection
OUPV (Six-Pack)
Uninspected (Subchapter C)
Master 100 GT
Inspected (Subchapter T, K, etc.)
Sea time
OUPV (Six-Pack)
360 days
Master 100 GT
Near-Coastal Master less than 100 GRT: 720 deck-service days, with up to 360 inland-water days allowed as substitute service. Great Lakes/Inland: 360 total days.
Tonnage limit
OUPV (Six-Pack)
Under 100 GRT uninspected passenger vessel
Master 100 GT
25 / 50 / 100 GRT is assigned under 46 CFR 11.422 based on the size of vessels in your qualifying service.
Exam modules
OUPV (Six-Pack)
RoR, Deck Gen, Deck Safety, Nav Gen
Master 100 GT
All OUPV + Plotting + General
Endorsements
OUPV (Six-Pack)
Inland or Near-Coastal
Master 100 GT
Inland or Near-Coastal + optional Towing/Sailing
Typical operation
OUPV (Six-Pack)
Sport-fish charter, sunset cruise
Master 100 GT
Whale-watch, dinner cruise, ferry, large sport-fish
Bottom line
If you'll never carry more than 6 paying passengers, OUPV is enough. If you have a larger boat or plan to operate inspected vessels, plan for Master — but check your vessel-tonnage history before assuming the Coast Guard will issue the full 100 GRT limit.