YachtForums.Com - View Single Post - Advice requested for 6-Pak License

Marmot · 04-02-2008, 10:22 AM

“Well Marmot, seeing as the title of this web site is YACHT FORUMS, and everything we discuss here is YACHT ORIENTED, then why would we even consider work on a commerical fishing boat or lighter.”

Mostly because the original question was, and the topic title is: “Advice requested for 6-pack license”. The poster is an American asking about USCG licensing and his career path.

”With the majority of yachts over 100 feet being foreign flagged, then an MCA license holds water.”

An MCA yacht license is valid only on a Red Flag yacht. It is not valid on an American flagged vessel of any size or function. The marine industry is made up of more than just yachts. My advice to anyone seeking a career in the maritime industry is to obtain the best license possible, and in the case of an American, that license is a USCG license. The MCA will issue a USCG license holder a certificate of equivalent competency that is valid on Red Flag yachts or merchant vessels. An MCA yacht license is not valid for use on an American flagged vessel of any description. It is not valid on a Red Flag vessel other than a yacht. An American holding only an MCA license is severely limited given the employment and training opportunities available to the holder of USCG licenses.

“When was the last time you had to perform practical factors exam at sea for a USCG 100 ton ticket?”

It’s been a long time but preceding the issuance of my 100 ton master I had to serve 720 days at sea. That is a pretty good “practical factor.” Not that an OUPV or 100 ton is good for anything other than local work from a U.S. port. The entry level ticket for yacht service is probably the 200 ton and to obtain that from the USCG requires 1080 days of sea time, with 720 of those days serving as master or mate. This is in contrast to "You also only need 90 days" to obtain an MCA 200 ton master. I would say that 1080 days of underway seatime, not just “signed on” a yacht washing down at the dock, and working under the supervision of an experienced mariner provides considerable opportunity to demonstrate “practical factors.

“Do you hold an RYA/MCA license?”

No, but I hold an MCA CeC based on my unlimited USCG license. It is valid on any ship or yacht of any size anywhere in the world. It is recognized by every “white list” flag state as being valid for their endorsement to serve on yachts or merchant vessels of any size or power.

“Because I hold both US and MCA and the MCA exam was far tougher than the USCG exam.”

Probably difficult for you because 90 days at sea and a license prep course just isn’t enough time to learn much. It certainly isn’t enough time to learn leadership skills and barely enough time to learn the skills of a good deckhand much less gain the experience a commercial “charter guest” has the right to expect of the master of a passenger carrying vessel in commercial service.

(edited to correct spelling error)

04-02-2008, 10:22 AM	#16
Marmot Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 228	“Well Marmot, seeing as the title of this web site is YACHT FORUMS, and everything we discuss here is YACHT ORIENTED, then why would we even consider work on a commerical fishing boat or lighter.” Mostly because the original question was, and the topic title is: “Advice requested for 6-pack license”. The poster is an American asking about USCG licensing and his career path. ”With the majority of yachts over 100 feet being foreign flagged, then an MCA license holds water.” An MCA yacht license is valid only on a Red Flag yacht. It is not valid on an American flagged vessel of any size or function. The marine industry is made up of more than just yachts. My advice to anyone seeking a career in the maritime industry is to obtain the best license possible, and in the case of an American, that license is a USCG license. The MCA will issue a USCG license holder a certificate of equivalent competency that is valid on Red Flag yachts or merchant vessels. An MCA yacht license is not valid for use on an American flagged vessel of any description. It is not valid on a Red Flag vessel other than a yacht. An American holding only an MCA license is severely limited given the employment and training opportunities available to the holder of USCG licenses. “When was the last time you had to perform practical factors exam at sea for a USCG 100 ton ticket?” It’s been a long time but preceding the issuance of my 100 ton master I had to serve 720 days at sea. That is a pretty good “practical factor.” Not that an OUPV or 100 ton is good for anything other than local work from a U.S. port. The entry level ticket for yacht service is probably the 200 ton and to obtain that from the USCG requires 1080 days of sea time, with 720 of those days serving as master or mate. This is in contrast to "You also only need 90 days" to obtain an MCA 200 ton master. I would say that 1080 days of underway seatime, not just “signed on” a yacht washing down at the dock, and working under the supervision of an experienced mariner provides considerable opportunity to demonstrate “practical factors. “Do you hold an RYA/MCA license?” No, but I hold an MCA CeC based on my unlimited USCG license. It is valid on any ship or yacht of any size anywhere in the world. It is recognized by every “white list” flag state as being valid for their endorsement to serve on yachts or merchant vessels of any size or power. “Because I hold both US and MCA and the MCA exam was far tougher than the USCG exam.” Probably difficult for you because 90 days at sea and a license prep course just isn’t enough time to learn much. It certainly isn’t enough time to learn leadership skills and barely enough time to learn the skills of a good deckhand much less gain the experience a commercial “charter guest” has the right to expect of the master of a passenger carrying vessel in commercial service. (edited to correct spelling error)