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Location: Lake City MN | I just graduated from an 8 day course in an effort to recieve my OUPV license or better known as a 6-pack captains license. I have heard a lot of talk in the last year or so on this and other sites regarding this license and thought that I would let you guys know what I have learned. I took the course and test offered by World Wide Marine Training INC. and they did a fantastic job. Our instructor Robert Townsend was one of the best teachers that I have ever encountered in my life. He was extreemly interesting and knowlegable and had a real knack for teaching the material. To anyone that may need this type of license I would highly recomend the course that they offer. If you would like more info you can find it at www.wegivethetest.com . Have a great day.
Loren Waalkens |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Thanks Loren:
If you do not mind, I have a few questions.
I see the cost is $729. What do you think the total cost is when all is said and done? I'm trying to do a cost analysis to see if it is really worth it for the amount of guiding I did on Bago and rivers.
What were housing costs?
Did you need first Aid Training? Cost?
Did you need CPR Training? Cost?
Drug Test? Cost?
Will you need to go for refreshers? How often? Costs?
Hope I'm not asking too many questions?
Now that you have the license, can you do all of the Great Lakes also?
Thanks, |
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| Loren,
Were you over in Lacrosse for that class this past week? I had a friend over there that got his license and he also had a lot of good to say about the course. |
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Location: Lake City MN | The class that I took was held in Alma WI about 30 miles south of where I live in Lake City MN.
There are additionl costs to consider after passing the classroom test. You also pay an additional $145 to file your paper work and application with the Coast Guard. You need to have what is similar to a DOT physical and drug test. I am having that this afternoon and was quoted a price of around $200. I have already taken a CPR course a couple weeks ago here in L.C. and that was $12.50 . I still need first aid and hope that the costs will be similar to the CPR classes. I also need to travel to Duluth MN to take an oath. This whole deal is not easy or cheap but I feel that it is well worth the effort and money in the long run. Hope this helps.
Loren Waalkens |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Loren,
It helped tremendously. Thanks for sharing.
Will you need to go for refreshers?
Now that you have the license, can you do all of the Great Lakes?
Edited by Sunshine 12/14/2004 12:18 PM
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| Yup, Alma. That is what I meant. He has just as much positve to say about it as you do. Apparently this is the class that is needed although there is a much tougher class and test out there that some guides are getting confused by. |
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Location: Northern Illinois | Congrats Loren. NOT OUPV but for others FYI. I recently completed an 8 week class conducted by the Fox Valley Power Squadron (Illinois, not Wisc). Cost was about $100.00. Basics of boating including charting, piloting, reading markers and rules of the water. Informative, homework each week and exam for certificate. I will find out for myself, but the certificate would apparently earn as much as 15% discount on boat insurance. Mike |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | I agree, should have thougtht of congrats to Loren SOONER.
Congrats to you also Mike. |
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| Sunshine - 12/14/2004 12:16 PM
Loren,
It helped tremendously. Thanks for sharing.
Will you need to go for refreshers?
Now that you have the license, can you do all of the Great Lakes?
Dennis,
After you pass the initial OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels - limited to 6 passengers) or Master's (additional test and higher level of license that will allow you to operate larger vessels for hire) test and file all the paperwork and get your actual license the renewal process is paperwork and money - not additional testing/refresher courses. You do need to keep current with CPR / First Aid and a valid Drug Test. Recommended you participate in a Drug Consortium as part of a Charter Boat Association. The Actual Coast Guard portion of the license is the same one used on Lake Erie - BUT you would also need an Ohio Guides License for example to run charters on Lake Erie out of an Ohio port. Michigan has a similar requirement for a guides license. In Ohio this is essentially another tax/fee - no test involved.
Hope this helps.
Steve |
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Location: Lake City MN | The license that I will be recieving will cover me on all Federal waters including the great lakes and coastal waters. I would still need to comply with each states requirments for guide license etc... I will also need to renew my license every 5 years, this involves a physical, drug test, cpr, first aid and applcation fee, but no more schooling. My insurance company is cutting me a small reduction, but not enough to make much difference. What really sets this school apart from the others is that they are able to give you the required test. Others give you the classroom and then send you to the Coast Guard to take the test. A very small percentage of people that take this route actually end up passing it. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am very pleased with the way that World Wide Marine Training INC taught use and that they have the ability and credentials to give you the schooling and the final test all in the same setting.Thanks for the congrats, it really feels good to have this behind me.
Loren Waalkens
Edited by Loren Waalkens 12/14/2004 4:51 PM
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Thanks for the additional info guys! |
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Location: Upper Sandusky Ohio | Loren, congrats on the passing of the coarse. Just went through the same thing last spring in Port Clinton. I'm sure you will remember drift, and set 6 months from now right??  Good Luck to you, and may your clients be smiling.
Captain Kevin Moses
Trophy Outdoor Adventures |
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| Congrats Loren, I was wondering if you were doing that test or not. I will be in touch.
Later,
Bear |
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Location: Jefferson Co. |
Edited by Bola 12/16/2004 1:17 AM
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Location: Jefferson Co. | Ok guys, I'm new to this site but I'm going to share something with you. I got an tip on how to get a oupv license for $245.00 plus drug screen which is around $100.00 and CPR and Frist aid which is around 50.00 for both and filling which is ? but alot cheaper than the 8 day course and around 900.00 plus hotel, travel and same expenses that I mention. This class is a one day course and a 50 question test which is held at St. Louis and might come to Milw. Were trying to get this to happen in Jan. because it take about 8 week to file so by spring you can guide on the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong where I fish and the Miss and Bago. Kissinger why didn't you call me back Wednesday? Know I'm not going to incude you.  When you get this license you can get paid with no worrys and catch fish like this in southern WI without going to DePerr or Bay oNoc.
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Bola,
I'M ALL EARS.............please tell us more!
Jim K may not see any of your messages here unless he's checking at work. My understanding is that he cancelled his internet hook up at home  |
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Location: Jefferson Co. | Dennis I'll keep you posted when I get more info. As far as Kiss I was hoping he would look at it at work. I'm sure he will be interested also.
PS. Nice article in Midwest Outdoor paper. |
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Location: Omro,Wi. | Very fine job Loren-I am trying to get this done myself.I'm trying to get things organized A.S.A.P.--Bola please tell me more about this test,you have mentioned.I'll drive if you guys want to go to St Louis...lol.......Hafe |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | I call "shotgun"! I can read as map. |
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Location: Jefferson Co. | LOL,,,, I'm calling St Louis in the morning to have them send me the River package with the info. I'll keep in touch Hafe, me and my other buddies might take you up on that if they wouldn't come to Milw. Yes Dennis you can have shotgun, you better be good with the map LOL Kissinger goes in the trunk, that horny gun isn't sitting next to me LOL |
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Location: Beloit | Bola, Congrats Loren I to am very interested in taking this class.Please keep us updated here.I know of another person who would do the class if it would come to wisconsin.Thank you Scott Hill //http:fishingthrills.com//
Edited by fishthrills 12/17/2004 12:33 AM
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Location: Jefferson Co. | You bet, the more the better.
Edited by Bola 12/17/2004 12:28 AM
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Location: Manitowoc, WI | Count me in too!!!!! I'll drive the second vehicle if it's needed. |
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Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | Dennis/Guys.
I just renewed my Captains license for the 4th time last year. Your automatically grandfathered in, if you renew your licens every 5 years with the CG. Only your drug testing and a complete passing physical, needs to be in order to renew. But there may be other State obligations that you might have to comply with in your specific state. A lot of things (test wise) have changed since I took the class some 16 years ago as well. I hear they administer the test right at the place you take the class now. Not so, when I took it. I'd also consider joining a group such as the Michigan Chater Boat Association (MCBA), (who excepts out of state members) for both the Insurance discounts and free/yearly drug screening cards which the CG demands. And finally for your entertainment, heres an article of sorts I wrote on the subject a few years ago, when some jealous snobs actually had the DNR set a trap for me at a public ramp, because they thought I was breaking the law for chartering out of my 18 foot Jet Boat, while night fishing the Saginaw Bay. Both the snobs and the DNR rookie officer got some egg on their faces, after I cited him and the snobs the rules governing both of my boats.
Saginaw Bay Area
Special Report
So, You want to be a charter captain ey?!!
Now, a brief synopsis on what one has to do and what is required (by law) to become a charter boat Captain. I will use my own experience and what I had to do, along with the requirements.
First you have to take the Coast Guard License exam to get your CG license. This involved taking a week off from work to actually take a Coast Guard Class, which gets you ready for the possible 2,400 questions that could possibly be asked by the CG examiner. Cost of the class was $500.00. Loss of a weeks pay, whatever one makes.
Also add the cost of another days work as you have to travel to Toledo, and pay for a motel room, as the exam starts very early. While taking the exam nobody is allowed to leave the room until all have finished.
One guy I went down with the first time had a nervous stomach reaction and forfeited one of the three chances you have to pass this test.
If you fail to have the minimum test Grade in all the required test subjects, that subject is retaken on your next visit, until all the subjects are passed. Fail to meet the grade on any one subject in 3 visits and you start over. And there will be questions my friends that a captain of a ship will not know the answers to off the top of his head.
Now your ready to charter. Now get a boat. You are now licensed to carry up to 6 people. I won't mention all the time and money involved for the upkeep, storage, gas, marina fee's and all the particulars involved in having a nice boat.
Now the DNR has to inspect your boat from bow to stern and re-inspect it alternatley every 2 years, both in dry dock and in the water. This inspection and the fee depends on the (class) of your boat. My 25' Grady White is a class (A) vessel and my 18' Jet Boat is a class (E) vessel and does not qualify for this (every two year) inspection under DNR laws. A CG license, along with proper liability insurance is required to charter both boats, but the (restrictions on inspection qualification) are different, at least in our State of Michigan.
My class (E) is (Mainly) used to charter on the inland rivers. But under the law can be used to charter on the Great Lakes, with the only stipulation that all the laws that govern maritime use of a registered boat are met.
I personally have this boat inspected anyway, but is more a formality with me and (Not) required by the existing State DNR laws. The DNR head of charter boat inspections sited me these laws. Oh, did I mention that these inspections are not free.
Well, I'm out of space. Lastly, being a charter captain in my eye's does not put me above anybody else (Fact is, we are subjected to, watched and scrutinized a lot more than Joe blow fisherman and rightly so).
We are intrusted with the lives of all we welcome aboard our charter boats, rather it be big or small, Bay or River. No rules are bent for us either pro or con, nor would I wish it so.
Some people, for reasons I cannot fathom, think we do get these special breaks. To those people I say, (take the tests, do the inspections, spend the time and money and walk a mile in my shoes.). Doing what I do, involves a lot of work, time and money. I don't do it to make a living, nor do I think I could, as 90% of the charter captains will tell you. I love the sport and the people.
Captain: Dan.
for more information contact: United States Coast Guard
Regional Examination Center
phone: 419-418-6010
Edited by walleye express 12/18/2004 4:11 PM
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Thanks Dan:
Your insights are appreciated. Like many, I continue to weigh the benefits of getiing the license versus costs. For me it comes down to total dollars invested versus possible payback and how long the payback will be. Some of the people commenting on this thread depend on the revunue generated by guiding on the waters with the new reg's for their main income. I guide on numerous lakes and have to figure out if I'm better off just guiding on lakes not regulated by the coast guard. It's a tough call looking at that crystal ball deciding on how many calls I will get from clients wnating a trip to these waters.
As options unfold that could take less time and less money, the decision becomes easier.............. I think
Again, thanks for the insight. |
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