Did you know that a USCG license is required in order to legally carry passengers for hire? This includes charters for: * Fishing * Sightseeing * Diving * Transportation * Teaching * Eco-Tours etc... i.e. any use which is considered a "passenger for hire" situation. Many maritime companies now require them for boat deliveries and marine transportation. These are all good reasons to maintain your own seafarers maritime log book. How much documented "service on the water time" must you have to qualify for the different types of USCG licenses? 360 days for OUPV and 720 days for Master class, both of which require at least 90 days within the last 3 years. This log book will help you document your sea time in an organized and compact form. USCG Captains'' License Information OUPV INLAND (6 PAK) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel * A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. * 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. OUPV NEAR COASTAL (6 PAK) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel * These requirements are the same as those for the Master Inland/OUPV Near Coastal Endorsement License. * A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. * 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. * 90 of those 360 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard. MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TONS) * A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. * 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TON) / OUPV ENDORSEMENT * These requirements are the same as those of the OUPV Near Coastal License. * A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. * 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. * 90 of those 360 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard. MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TON) / MATE NEAR COASTAL ENDORSEMENT * A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. * 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. * 180 of those 360 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard. MASTER NEAR COASTAL (25, 50 OR 100 TON) * A minimum of 720 days on the water experience from age 16 to present is required. * 90 of those 720 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a similar size vessel to the license you are applying for. * 360 days of those 720 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard. * You will also need a TWIC Card How do I prove my time on the water to meet the US Coast Guard requirements? Most recreational boaters do not maintain log books. As such, the Sea Service forms which are included in the USCG application package must be filled out by hand. This form consists of twelve boxes, one for each month of the year. Starting with the most recent year, you fill in the number of days you can best recall being on the water and then go backward in time to the age of 16 years old, or until the sea time requirements have been met. This time is then supported by proof of ownership of the vessel, if you are claiming time on your own boat. If you claim time on someone else''s boat, then they must sign your sea service form. These are all good reasons to maintain your own log book. With this log book you can show your documented time.