Need for license to pilot a 58+ yacht

[igloo]

Do you need a license to pilot your own yacht say from 58 foot to 75 foot long (non-commercial) ? I have run smaller boats in the 20 foot range, but didn't know if there was a certain length of boat that was a threshhold for needing a license. Any information would be appreciated as well as any helpful web sites someone may want to recommend.

 

[Boatsb]

Maybe. Some vessels will need them for the insurance company to be happy. Otherwise the vessel and its use will determine the need for a licence.

 

[captddis]

I have a friend who bought a brand new boat that was considerably larger than what he had. The ins co made him have someone onboard who was used to larger boats.

 

[Trojan]

If it's a pleasure craft used for your personal use only. No licence is required. The insurance company may require you to have some training if they feel you are not competent enough to properly operate the larger vessel. Other wise there is no licence required to operate any size vessel as long as its not in commercial use.

BILL

 

[saltshaker]

Depends on where you operate the boat. In NJ you need a boating certificate to operate any motor boat regardless of size. NY is not far behind as are several other states. Some are considering requiring a captains license over a certain size.

As for the Ins. co requiring a licensed captain, that is fairly common on larger boats typically 70FT or bigger. Some carriers may require a licensed captain on smaller vessels but not always. The requirement usually is only for the first 2 years of ownership but again this varies form one carrier to another.

 

[34Hatt]

Well I know someone with a new 54 Hatt and his experience was some what limited with larger boats. The Insurance company would not cover him unless his father was on board who had years of experience. So that 70'# is not cast in stone. Probably also comes down to size and money! So most of these post do agree except one sorry Trojan.

 

[Angela]

I graduated from a 33' express cruiser straight up to a 58MY - HUGE difference. My insurer did not bat an eye and while I do have a captain (Pascal) on my policy now (switched to a commercial policy), when I first bought the 58MY, the insurer didn't question me a bit, much to my surprise. It was a year or a year and a half later (maybe two) that I added a licensed captain to my policy, but not because I was asked for it. So, it seems to me that the answer to that question is that it depends how your insurer feels about it. There is no legal requirment to do so.

 

[Trojan]

A certificate is not a licence. There is still no captain licence required. Insurance is no criteria for getting a licence. Nor do they have the power to require it. You just can't get there insurance. If you own your boat, any length, you can pilot it. You can always change insurance companies. I had similar experience when I owned a sports car. If you have enough money you don't need insurance. Though insurance is the correct way. They still don't require a licence......... Common sense would be the only criteria that is required. Most people know what they can handle and I'm not saying that some boats shouldn't require a licence, But as of today, you do not require a captain licence to operate any size non commercial vessel in the USA. SORRY!
The same crap happens with the 50 ft motor homes. I think they should have a special licence. Just like the big rigs. But they don't. Only if your a commercial operator.

BILL

 

[scokat]

Funny this should come up, I was in a meeting several weeks ago discussing future requirements around the great lakes. Since Canada is going mandatory boating safety courses, the great lakes states are considering the same to navigate any size or type vessel in on or around the great lakes, date to be set. Who knows it can only help, we have all seen some of these yahoos on the water, and I for one am tired of dealing with them.

 

[Genesis]

Florida has mandatory licensing in the general sense but exempts us "old farts" who are grandfathered.

Nonetheless the test required to get the "license" is a written, it is not proctored, and its trivial. No practical demonstration of ability is required.

As for those grandfathered I can operate any size vessel I like for private, non-commercial purposes. I might not be able to get it insured without a paid captain, but if I don't need or want insurance I am legally permitted to operate a 200 footer if I can afford to buy it.

 

[Angela]

Florida has mandatory licensing in the general sense but exempts us "old farts" who are grandfathered.

Nonetheless the test required to get the "license" is a written, it is not proctored, and its trivial. No practical demonstration of ability is required.

As for those grandfathered I can operate any size vessel I like for private, non-commercial purposes. I might not be able to get it insured without a paid captain, but if I don't need or want insurance I am legally permitted to operate a 200 footer if I can afford to buy it.

I didn't know Florida had such mandatory licensing. I guess that makes me one of the "old farts".

What surprises me about the whole USCG licensure is that anyone can get a captain's license without any actual demonstration of practical experience. I know many licensed captains who would be best suited to sit on the bow while I drive the boat. LOL Ed and I were talking about this a couple of weeks ago while counting the number of people we actually know who hold a captain's license and compared that with the number of them to whom we'd turn the boat over, which was only two - Pascal and Jay (the dockmaster at Rickenbacker). That was a pretty low qualified percentage of the whole group, and was based upon practical experience.

 

[Boatsb]

Angela you need new friends.

3 people I know locally with licenses all of which I would trust to run a large boat.

Oh wait. On is a professional Capt ona large Hatt, One runs the vessels for D world and the third I have know for years who runs his boat very responsibly.

Maybe I do not realize some of the others I know with licenses but the majority I know are capable and responsible.

 

[34Hatt]

3 people I know locally with licenses all of which I would trust to run a large boat.

I know a Quite a few Captains that I would be scared if the they were driving my 19' I even worked for some back on the Ferry's that I was saying WTF are they doing! Had the title but not good experience.

You can be book smart and get someone too sign and get a license. Then I have friends that have more miles on the water that never got a license that I trust my life too and Have done so. This is why I never been Impressed with the title Captain.

Sorry Guys & Gal's most of you deserve it but like they say it just take a few screw up to spoil it for everyone I always wait then make up my own mind.

 

[Boatsb]

I just chose my friends better.

 

[krush]

Virginia is slowly implimenting a requirement that all people must do the VA boater safety course. I think it's an online test.

No big deal...part of me says it's just a revenue generator, but the other part sees idiots out on the water that are clueless. Maybe a short online test will at least make them realize there are rules on the water.

 

[Trojan]

Virginia is slowly implimenting a requirement that all people must do the VA boater safety course. I think it's an online test.

No big deal...part of me says it's just a revenue generator, but the other part sees idiots out on the water that are clueless. Maybe a short online test will at least make them realize there are rules on the water.

Ohio and Michigan require the same boater safety course requirement. Its good for the general public that don't know jack S about safety. But it does not make you a good operator. It only makes you more aware of some of the rules. I to think is just good thoughts and a money maker. I think some sort of licence should be required to show your proficiency. Or maybe prof of years service associated with the operation of a vessel. It would be hard to initiate at first, but in the long run it could be implemented. Boat US uses your past service associated with boats to qualify you for insurances.There was another one in Michigan that also took in consideration of your past boating record for the price of insurance. Of course it all could be fudged by you. I have seen a reduction in MY insurance cost the last three years of $400 bucks. Not much, but its something. I think there should be some sort of test that is not just a money maker. In a group of 50+ boats anchored out. Every boat was boarded and checked except My 43. I don't know why, but I have never been boarded by any of the local authorities. But then I have been boating in these waters for more years than I want to recall.

BILL

 

[Pascal]

AFAIK, none of the states have licensing requirement based on size... doesnt' matter if the boat is 13' or 130'.

At the Federal ./ USCG level, there are no licensing requirements based on size for privately operated vessel.

Insurance, as others have mentioned, is another issue. Whether or not you will be able go get coverage depends on your experience, location, boat type, value and whatever guidelines the underwriter uses.

Often, having a OUPV/6 pack, will be looked favorably by the underwriter and that may help.

As to the USCG training and licensing (6 Pack or Master), it's a joke. The experience requirements dont' make a lot of sense since it's based on commercial vessel needs and not adapted to the "yachting" needs.

for instance, for the 6 pack and 100T, required experience is based on nr of days at sea. The definition of a day, 4 hours underway, means that the typical boat owner may find themselves unable to log most of the experience.... someone who'd go to bimini every month for the week end woulnd't be able to log any day because it woudl be less than 4 hours per day.

yet, a guy with a 13' whaler who sits jsut outside the jetty drift fishing for 4 hours can log a day...

and you don't even have to operate the boat to log the time... if you're just crewing, you can log the time.

Then when you try to get over 100T, the requirement becomes 8 hours underway per day... very few boats (except fishing) will be underway for 8 hours a day...

doens't make a lot of sense.... The result is that as Angela says there are many paper captains out there that none of us would trust with our vessels.

 

[scokat]

Pascal I agree, I work with numerous licensed captains and out of all of them I would only let 1 sit at the helm of my boat. Just because the job requires the lic, and you pass the test doesnt mean you have the aptitude to handle a vessel, be it big or small.

 

[JLR]

Karl - I just sent you a pm. Thanks. John

 

[stormchaser]

Pascal I agree, I work with numerous licensed captains and out of all of them I would only let 1 sit at the helm of my boat. Just because the job requires the lic, and you pass the test doesnt mean you have the aptitude to handle a vessel, be it big or small.

Yup, I have a 100t and I got it when I was 21 and was a deckhand on a Ferry (worked my way to the pilothouse)...I had almost ZERO experience driving the ferry when I got my license. Sure I had driven many pleasure craft up to 45 feet, but never a passenger vessel of any kind. Scary indeed. Thankfully the other captains were very good about providing LOTS of closely supervised on the job training.