A question for the captains...

[Sam3]

I understand that you all possess a captain's license for your businesses, but my question is what else would require someone to hold a captain's license on the open water? Size of boat? So many feet off the shore, etc?

My question is generated from the fact that someday my wife and I would like to get a nice boat in our retirement and take it on trips to various places along the East Coast.
(And fish along the way!!)

I know that you need to have so many documented hours on the open water to qualify for this type of license...is there also a formal document to log hours into?

Lot's of questions...i know...

[Flukedood]

So when are we leaving on these trips Sam??

[Sam3]

So when are we leaving on these trips Sam??

As soon as I hit the lottery....

[catfish hunter]

you dont need a captians license for that you just need to take the nj saftey test

[wingshooter]

So when are we leaving on these trips Sam

Flukedood  i do believe he said him and HIS WIFE,,,,,are you trying to tell us that youre the wife 


by the way i already told you dood is spelled dude

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Sam3,

I will be glad to answer any/all of your questions I can.

If I understand the question correctly, you and your wife plan to recreationally fish and travel around the waterways of the USA on your own boat. Currently, to operate in NJ waters, you need to take the NJ Boating Safety Course (of course depending on your age there are certain deadlines).

You would only need a USCG Captain's license if your boat is "for hire." Now, that brings up many questions. People often ask, "If I have buddies on board, and we split the cost of the trip, am I actually in need of a Captain's license?" I suggest that this is not the case but as rules and regs get stricter, I would certainly be talking to the USCG or NJ State Police about exact cases. There have been a lot of people putting together trips lately, especially offshore to target tuna, where they "advertise/post" on the Internet and fill their boat. The folks with the boat are "expecting to be reimbursed." In that case, I think you need a license (strictly my opinion and probably that of the insurance company and sharp lawyers). What is going to eventually happen, is that some accident or incident will occur with folks like this and you will see action specifically barring this behavior. Again, only my opinion. Unfortunately, it seems that in the USA, nothing is done until after the problem occurs.

You bring up a great question about documenting your time on the water. If you own a boat, you can have that time credited toward your OUPV (6 Pack) license without any other signatures. If you have done significant time on other people's boats, they can attest to the accuracy of the time.

To me, everyone should have a log book. This is worthwhile for a ton of reasons. In the least, if you ever want to obtain your Captain's license, you already have a written record to reference. BTW, there is no size limit for the boat to qualify, nor does it have to be powered. You do need to document where the time occurred, as you get credit for spending time "breaking the Col Regs line" for Offshore OUPV.

Does this make sense?

Have fun,

Capt. Ed

[Sam3]

My wife and I would be boating purely for recreational purposes.

Thanks Capt. Ed, You answered my questions!

[Flukedood]

So when are we leaving on these trips Sam

Flukedood  i do believe he said him and HIS WIFE,,,,,are you trying to tell us that youre the wife 


by the way i already told you dood is spelled dude

Thanks for the spelling lesson...dood...

 

[wingshooter]

Thanks for the spelling lesson...dood

no need to thanks me mrs. Sam   

[woodrufflou]

SAM3...always remember your my buddy 

[Sam3]

SAM3...always remember your my buddy 

Hey...no problem Lou....just remember me for that Woodruff barbeque...

BTW.....you will probably be in your 40's by the time I get this thing...

[CapBob]

Sam

Hope everything works for you inretirement and your planned trips........while you do not need a CApt. Lic as has been previously stated, you still might want to consider enrolling in one of the Captains schools. You'll gain much needed knowledge that you will need on your voyages. Example rules of the road for inland waterways as well as the Ocean, how to plot a course, figure drift, speeed, etc.......well worth the time involved.

Good Luck

[woodrufflou]

Hey...no problem Lou....just remember me for that Woodruff barbeque...

BTW.....you will probably be in your 40's by the time I get this thing...

dont worry when we set a date, ill let you know.

[Sam3]

Great advice Capt. Bob.

I still have a few years to go before retirement...like 20 

But I figured if I needed seat time on the open water, it's best to become familiar with it now and learn as much as possible.

Thank you again.