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Comparison

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.

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TL;DR

OUPV: up to 6 passengers for hire on an uninspected vessel, 360 days sea time, and a route-specific exam that includes Navigation General and Chart Plot. 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 its own route-specific exam modules.

Side by side

Passenger limit

OUPV (Six-Pack)

6 paying

Master 100 GT

No fixed cap (set by vessel COI)

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.

Near-Coastal exam modules

OUPV (Six-Pack)

ONC07: Q100 Rules; Q170 Deck General-Safety; Q171 Navigation General; Q172 Chart Plot

Master 100 GT

ONC06: Q100 Rules; Q160 Deck General; Q161 Deck Safety; Q162 Navigation General; Q163 Chart Plot; Q165 Navigation-Deck General-Safety

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

Which should you pick?

Pick OUPV (Six-Pack) if…

  • Passenger limit: 6 paying
  • Vessel inspection: Uninspected (Subchapter C)
  • Sea time: 360 days
  • Tonnage limit: Under 100 GRT uninspected passenger vessel
  • Near-Coastal exam modules: ONC07: Q100 Rules; Q170 Deck General-Safety; Q171 Navigation General; Q172 Chart Plot
  • Endorsements: Inland or Near-Coastal
  • Typical operation: Sport-fish charter, sunset cruise

Pick Master 100 GT if…

  • Passenger limit: No fixed cap (set by vessel COI)
  • Vessel inspection: Inspected (Subchapter T, K, etc.)
  • Sea time: 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: 25 / 50 / 100 GRT is assigned under 46 CFR 11.422 based on the size of vessels in your qualifying service.
  • Near-Coastal exam modules: ONC06: Q100 Rules; Q160 Deck General; Q161 Deck Safety; Q162 Navigation General; Q163 Chart Plot; Q165 Navigation-Deck General-Safety
  • Endorsements: Inland or Near-Coastal + optional Towing/Sailing
  • Typical operation: 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.

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OUPV vs Master 100 GT — Comparison & Upgrade Path · CaptainsGround