Coast Guard Licensing
Earning a Coast Guard credential in the Tall Ship fleet is a great step to further your career. It can be a challenging process, but we are here to help! Contact the instructor any time with questions, or refer to the below guidance which details a common path for Tall Ship mates beginning their careers in the industry.
Tall Ships America members and members of designated Partner Organizations receive steep discounts on all courses with Practical Navigator, including free tuition in many cases.
Tall Ships America members and members of designated Partner Organizations receive steep discounts on all courses with Practical Navigator, including free tuition in many cases.
Able Seaman (Sail)
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With 180 days of sea service on sailing school vessels or oceanographic research vessels propelled primarily by sail, you can earn a national Able Seaman credential. This credential is helpful for many vessels in the Tall Ship fleet and is a great first step into credentialing.
In order to earn your AB Sail, you'll need:
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Steep discounts off are available for Tall Ships America or partner organization members by contacting the instructor.
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100 Ton Master and/or 200 Ton Mate
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With 360 days of sea service on vessels of appropriate tonnage, you can earn a 100 Ton Inland Master and/or a 200 Ton Near Coastal Mate credential. These courses involve five tests for the 100-ton, and one additional summative test for the 200 ton upgrade. Subjects include Deck General, Deck Safety, Navigation General, Chart Plotting, and Rules of the Road.
In order to earn your 100 Ton Inland Master or 200 Ton Near Coastal Mate credential, you need:
The difference between near coastal and inland waters deals with the "Boundary Line;" inside of the boundary line is Inland Waters, and outside of the boundary line, out to 200 nautical miles, is Near Coastal Waters. Depending on your unique situation, sea service, etc., you may qualify for certain variations on these licenses, such as location or tonnage variations/limitations. |
Steep discounts off are available for Tall Ships America or partner organization members by contacting the instructor.
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Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement and Oceans/Celestial Navigation
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Once you have begun your licensing path, a logical step for Tall Ship sailors is to earn an Auxiliary Sail Endorsement or to upgrade your existing license to Oceans waters.
In order to earn your Auxiliary Sail Endorsement, you must pass an exam or take a class, and have 180 days of sea service on sail powered vessels (in most cases). This endorsement is applicable to any level of license. For those seeking to level-up their mate career on certain ocean-going vessels, the Oceans Navigation course is a good fit. In order earn an Oceans Navigation upgrade to a 200-ton license, you must first earn a 200-ton near coastal licenses (360 days of sea service plus exams), and then pass a very challenging exam/course for celestial navigation. This course is helpful for anyone interested in celestial navigation, but particularly useful for those sailing more than 200nm offshore. Subjects for the Oceans/Celestial course include great circle sailing, azimuth/amplitudes, time phenomena, and celestial sight reductions of the sun, stars, moon, and planets. |
Steep discounts off are available for Tall Ships America or partner organization members by contacting the instructor.
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Earning Advanced Credentials
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Once you have earned initial Mate qualifications up to 200 ton Inland, Near Coastal, or Oceans, your next could include pursuing an STCW (international) credential, increasing the scope of your existing license to Master, or increasing your tonnage to 500+ tons.
Practical Navigator has a library of license preparation courses which prepare you for USCG exams at any tonnage level from OUPV to Unlimited Tonnage. Contact the instructor for Tall Ships discount codes to these courses. STCW (international) licenses often require additional expensive training - use the USCG license checklists or use the USCG Approved Courses tab to find a course near you. A great place to start for STCW licenses is Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch, which you can do on your own vessel with a qualified assessor or licensed master. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the deal between National and STCW licenses?
National licenses such as 100 ton master, 200 ton mate, or Able Seaman are used on vessels which travel in U.S. waters, often up to 200nm offshore. STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) licenses such as Basic Training, Able Seafarer, and Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) are used on vessels which travel internationally. Good advice is to think about your career goals and the companies which you choose to work with, and then pursue the licenses that best fit your goals.
How much sea service must I have before pursuing a credential?
The earliest credential most mariners achieve is Able Seaman (Sail), which requires 180 days of sea service. Inland master credentials and near coastal mate credentials generally require 360 days of sea service. Near coastal and oceans master licenses generally require 720 or more days of sea service. Ordinary Seaman, Wiper, and Steward's Department can earn credentials with no sea service. Also, marina launch-tender and limited master licenses are available at lower sea service levels.
Is license mentoring available?
The best resource for tall ship career mentoring is through the Tall Ships America Mentoring Program. Practical Navigator is also always happy to answer licensing questions as well by contacting the instructor.
How do I process my license application?
A great resource is MMSEAS which offers free license software for Tall Ships Sailors, under a grant to Tall Ships America.
National licenses such as 100 ton master, 200 ton mate, or Able Seaman are used on vessels which travel in U.S. waters, often up to 200nm offshore. STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) licenses such as Basic Training, Able Seafarer, and Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) are used on vessels which travel internationally. Good advice is to think about your career goals and the companies which you choose to work with, and then pursue the licenses that best fit your goals.
How much sea service must I have before pursuing a credential?
The earliest credential most mariners achieve is Able Seaman (Sail), which requires 180 days of sea service. Inland master credentials and near coastal mate credentials generally require 360 days of sea service. Near coastal and oceans master licenses generally require 720 or more days of sea service. Ordinary Seaman, Wiper, and Steward's Department can earn credentials with no sea service. Also, marina launch-tender and limited master licenses are available at lower sea service levels.
Is license mentoring available?
The best resource for tall ship career mentoring is through the Tall Ships America Mentoring Program. Practical Navigator is also always happy to answer licensing questions as well by contacting the instructor.
How do I process my license application?
A great resource is MMSEAS which offers free license software for Tall Ships Sailors, under a grant to Tall Ships America.
Partner Organizations
These organizational partners have special discount rates for online courses for developing crew members. All are exceptional organizations that work hard to advance the cause of seagoing education and career development for crew members. Click on the images to learn more about each organization.
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