Best Combo of Licenses to Make a Living at Sea?

[Tempest245]

JC For any foreign work, let's say charter captain for the Moorings, Sunsail o other Charter company you will have to have STCW 95 Basic Safety. There are two courses one a 3 day and a 5 day course ( difference is tonnage ) These classes are offered through Schools like Sea School. Sea School offers this class in Jacksonville, there are others.

To teach Sailing you will need to attend an ASA instructors qualification clinic they have many levels. Check the ASA website. US Sailing has a similar track.

The USCG Masters 100 ton near coastal license would be very useful, add tow and sail endorsements, Launch operator, and you should be able to find work. Get whatever CG license you can for now, OUPV...Masters Inland.....etc...and then you can upgrade as you log more time and tonnage.

You won't get rich but you might be able to make a few bucks while cruising.
I suspect that in this economy there is a surplus of captains.

ASA schools will want both..USCG license and ASA instructor certs for their instructors.

Potential employers: ASA, US sailing schools...yacht clubs ( launch operators),
towns and cities, Water taxis, Sea School, Mariners, Instructors, proctors.
Sea Tow or Boat US Franchisees. Charter companies, Yacht Brokers, (deliveries, commissioning.) You will have to Hustle, plan ahead, make lots of contacts and build a good reputation. This all takes time.

[Roy M]

Okay, so you have a construction background and can't carry around the tools. You could study to become a surveyor and pick up jobs with fixed companies. You could get an inspection cert and do work for real estate and insurance companies (a lot of that is going to be happening in the next couple years as properties change hands). You can still take a course as a heavy equipment operator, since holes get dug everywhere. Having worked in the boat biz a while, and through several economic downturns, I can guarantee that boat work is not going to be the ticket for financial security for your family. Too many unemployed engineers are walking the docks with their cute toolboxes telling folks that they are "shipwrights", and underbidding with impunity and desperation. Find something unique, learn to do it well, and focus. Try to think outside the waterfront or you will become trapped in a "ghetto" without contacts and local knowledge. There are lots of bottom cleaners, varnishers, "engine mechanics", so-called captains, and West Marine sales associates competing for the bottom tier of income. Think larger and escape.

[seacap]

Many people either need their bottom cleaned or a mooring installed. With a 6 pax and experience you can get deliveries. Had some friends make some money while cruising doing splicing. You would be amazed at how many boaters (most crusiers do) don't know how.