U. S. Coast Guard Approved License Training
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About School of Seamanship
Founded in 1996, School of Seamanship (SOS) is recognized as one of the premier entry level maritime training programs in Texas. Conveniently located on the Gulf Freeway (45 south) just inside Beltway 8. Mr. Ringrose, after 23 years of U. S. Coast Guard service, retired as Director of the Houston licensing office to establish SOS. He is recognized by the Coast Guard and Navy as a subject matter expert. This, combined with his past experiences, make him uniquely qualified to assist and train mariners
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OVER 2400 NEW CAPTAINS AND MASTERS SINCE 1996!
About the Course
The course is a U. S. Coast Guard approved 72 hour training course that upon successful completion is allowed to be used in lieu of the Coast Guard Exam. That is, the SOS training certificate may be used to satisfy the Coast Guard examination requirements for all licenses up to an including the Master 100 with a Near Coastal endorsement. (This includes the OUPV (aka 6-pack) Inland and Near Coastal and the Master's Inland.)
Testing is 5, multiple choice exams, consisting of Rules of the Road, Navigation General, Chart Plotting, Deck Safety and Deck General. Since it is a Coast Guard approved course the passing scores of the exams are consistent with the Coast Guard Guidelines.
Scheduled 2021 Class Dates
Jan 23 - 31
Feb 06 - 14
Mar 06 - 14
Apr 10 - 18
May 15 - 23
Jun 05 - 13
Jul 10 - 18
Aug 07 - 15
Sep 11 - 19
Oct 09 - 17
Nov 06 - 14
Dec 04 - 12
Note: Please contact us (281-751-8030) if these dates conflict with your available schedule. Let's see if we can work out a schedule just for you.
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MEET THE STAFF
Owner/Instructor
Roy Ringrose
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46 YEARS boating experience (from 17 ft to 378 ft)
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42 YEARS training boat operators
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24 YEARS directing training schools
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23 YEARS service in the U.S. Coast Guard
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Retired from U.S. Coast Guard as the Director of the Houston Licensing Office
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Trained over 2400 LICENSED Captains
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Trained over 4400 in Vessel Operations
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Operated boats throughout Northwest Hemisphere: Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Great Lakes, Mississippi River, and Gulf of Mexico
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Vietnam and Desert Storm Gulf War Veteran
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Are you getting the most experienced trainer available locally? Other instructors out there just don’t measure up when it comes to real life applicable experience. Doesn’t it make sense to ask for an instructor’s experience before deciding which U.S.C.G. approved licensing course you choose?
CONTACT US
281-751-8030 | roy@iwanttobeacaptain.com
12817 B Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77034
FAQ
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What is the difference between the OUPV, 6-Pack, and Master’s Licenses?
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The OUPV (6-Pack) License is a credential that authorizes the individual to operate an uninspected vessel while carrying passengers for hire. For clarification, uninspected vessels are restricted to no more than 6 passengers (even if only one passenger is for hire) on vessels of less than 100 gross tons (thus the industry-coined term, 6-Pack).
The Master’s License is a credential that authorizes the individual to operate not only uninspected vessels, but also inspected vessels up to the provisions of the Certificate of Inspection. Inspected vessels are restricted based upon the Certificate of Inspection assigned to the vessel by the US Coast Guard which also identifies the number of passengers the vessel is authorized to carry.
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What constitutes a "passenger" vs a "passenger for hire"
According to the Passenger Vessel Safety Act, a passenger is anyone on the vessel other than the master, crew or anyone associated with the actual operation of the vessel.
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A "passenger for hire" is anyone on the vessel that has paid "consideration" to be on the vessel whether by actual monies paid or by inducement or right to be on the vessel but does not include voluntary contributions of food, fuel or beverages, not to exceed the actual expenses of the voyage.
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What are the differences for OUPV versus Master’s license Sea Service requirements?
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Endorsed for
Grade Inland Near Coastal
Master Days Required 360 720 total days including a minimum of 360 offshore
Mate 360 360 total days including a minimum of 180 offshore
OUPV (6-pack) 360 360 total days including a minimum of 90 offshore
Note: All original licenses require a recency of 90 days within the last 3 years from the date of submitted application.
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What constitutes a “day” for sea service purposes?
According to 46 CFR Part 10.103, a day of service is 8 hours of watchkeeping not to include overtime. For recreational boating operations this is interpreted to allow a minimum of four hours of watchkeeping in a calendar day. There are exceptions to this rule so please feel free to contact us about the exceptions.
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How far offshore may I go with my license?
A license with an Inland endorsement is not allowed to go beyond what is called the "boundary" line as established in the regulations while carrying passengers for hire. Along the Gulf Coast this line is 12 nautical miles from the shoreline. Licenses with a near coastal endorsement are limited to no more than 100 nautical miles offshore from U.S. land for Uninspected vessels. Inspected vessels are limited to no more than 200 nautical miles from U.S. land while carrying passengers for hire.
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Is it a requirement to hold an OUPV License prior to obtaining a Master’s License?
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Don’t be fooled by training schools that advertise you MUST get an OUPV license before you can get a Master’s license. This is completely false, however, those training schools may have setup their programs to work this way.
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FACT: The US Coast Guard Regulations do NOT require you to hold an OUPV license prior to obtaining a Master’s license.