Question about 385 Tons?

[Les_Garten]

So one of my Favorite Dream Videos to watch is the Nordhavn 120 Delivery video on YT.

That made me think about if you owned that boat as Owner/Master and wanted to Circumnavigate...

Would you need a License/Certification because of the displacement Tonnage of 385 tons?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Les.

No - not as a private pleasure owner.

[Les_Garten]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Les.

No - not as a private pleasure owner.

Good to know, started saving last week...

[LTDsailing]

I used to teach OUPV and 100 Ton Masters License courses in the Northwest. We would get students who were buying some big boats without much boating experience. A lot of the students had been told by their insurance companies that they couldn't drive their own boat unless they had a captains license. I imagine that would also apply in this case. Sure, it's your boat and legally, you can do whatever you want with it - but your insurance company may have something to say about it.

[Les_Garten]

Originally Posted by LTDsailing

I used to teach OUPV and 100 Ton Masters License courses in the Northwest. We would get students who were buying some big boats without much boating experience. A lot of the students had been told by their insurance companies that they couldn't drive their own boat unless they had a captains license. I imagine that would also apply in this case. Sure, it's your boat and legally, you can do whatever you want with it - but your insurance company may have something to say about it.

Right. That's one of the reasons I was asking as well.

I had read that some countries/harbors require X amount of insurance as well and was wondering about that whether you could get that much insurance for 385GT without some type of license.

Thanx!

[LTDsailing]

Yeah - I am fairly sure you will have to be licensed in order to get the boat insured. Another option of course is to hire qualified crew. The problem then is that you can't drive your own boat. It would be sad to own a boat and not be allowed to drive it yourself...

[Les_Garten]

Originally Posted by LTDsailing

Yeah - I am fairly sure you will have to be licensed in order to get the boat insured. Another option of course is to hire qualified crew. The problem then is that you can't drive your own boat. It would be sad to own a boat and not be allowed to drive it yourself...

That wouldn't happen!

It looks like it would take 2 years of sea time for 100 tons, what do you do to get one for 400 Tons?

[CSY Man]

The USCG used to require the operator of any pleasure craft above 199 tons to be licensed.
You may need a 500 ton ticket, better check with the USCG if in the US, although Nordhavn’s sales department would surely know and help you with crew and training if you sign a contract.

[keepondancin]

"I used to teach OUPV and 100 Ton Masters License courses in the Northwest. We would get students who were buying some big boats without much boating experience."

That is the joke about the Masters License. How do they qualify for a license. Over the years I have met several "Licensed Captains" who had very little experience, and in one case a couple, who were licensed, and were terrified to operate their boats. The couple hired a captain to sail their boat for them, yet still had "Captain" on their boat cards.

[LTDsailing]

The ticket only opens the door. It's what you do with it that is really important. I know a lot more now than when I originally earned my 100 ton license. But without that license I never would have had the opportunities to learn.

[spearfish3]

If you are dealing with a N120, you have at least 3-4 crew members. I love Nordhavn, but crew is pretty much required after their 72/76 models. Even then, you are hiring help for maintenance. I would love to have one in the 40-57 ft range though. Great boats and great company.

[CSY Man]

. Over the years I have met several "Licensed Captains" who had very little experience,

Did they lie and cheat on their sea-time forms?

720 Days are required for the lowest grade of Master ticket, if someone had “Very Little Experience” they should probably be investigated and prosecuted.

Some of us have spent years in the Merchant Marine and years on pleasure crafts to earn the sea time allowing us to sit for the exam and got no patience for cheaters and liars.