Cost to Get a 6-Pack License?

[jeremiason]

You are probably NOT ELIGIBLE for a US Coast Guard Masters License, because you are not a US Citizen. There are very few exceptions to this rule. Not to mention, the lower licenses, including Operator of Unispected Vessels or OUPV (6-Pax) is only valid within 200 miles of a US Coastline, if you have a near coastal endorsement.

Here is a link to the Code of Federal Regulations on General Requirements for a Merchant Mariner:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

You are elligible for a British RYA Yacht Master or MCA licenses if you have the seatime and experience. There are also some immersion courses that take several months and get you your license, but they are not cheap. Someone was talking about one in South Africa on another thread.

Currently, in the commerical world, the industry (Insurance/Owners) is holding the MCA license in favor. They are valid in most countries in the Caribbean and the rest of the world.

Both these licenses require miles at sea, a certain number of night watches and both academic and practical testing.

For more information go here:

MCA - MCA - Home

RYA Yacht Master - RYA

Good Luck!

[capngeo]

Another point is that the US OUPV (6-Pak) license is hardly ever recognized anywhere outside US jurisdiction. That, and in addition to many local laws prohibit non-residents from being employed or working for hire..... you may be wasting your time!