I am a USCG Captain. There is a large difference in Guides and Charter Captains.
To be a guide, you need a Texas Guide License $132.00, a personal fishing license and commercial insurance. There are some guides that do not have commercial insurance and some have no insurance. A guide is limited to freshwater and further restricted from guiding on any waters that have limitations requiring a form of licensure. Have the correct PFDs for recreational vessels.
To be a USCG Captain, you must do the following:
1. Obtain a Transit Worker Identification Card (TWIC) for initial licensure - Clearing you for access to all ports in the US and full background check by the FBI - $130.00.
2. Have a full eye exam - $75.00.
3. Have a full physical - $150.00.
4. Be drug tested using the DOT drug profile - $60.00.
5. Attend and complete a USCG course for your 6-Pack License - $1,000.00
6. Have documented 360 hours aboard your boat or another's boat.
7. Submit 3 letters of reference to the USCG.
8. After completion of all requirements, submit the appropriate items to the USCG and anywhere from 2 to 10 months later barring any problems with the application, you may be approved.
9. Obtain Commercial insurance and maintain proof - $1,000.00 per year.
10. Outfit your boat with ONLY USCG Type 1 PFD's regardless of the waters you operate in.
11. Be certified in CPR and First Aid - $75.00.
12. All waters guide license $210.00
13. Personal fishing license.
Rough cost estimate - $2,700.00.
From time to time, there may be changes in the licensure for 6-Pack. Your USCG license is valid for 5 years at which time you must perform most of the same requirements again except you are not required to re-take the course as long as your license is still valid and you have 360 hours documented aboard in the 5 year period.
The benefit of the USCG license is that you can guide on salt water anywhere in the US and all US lakes. For your clients, it provides the assurance that you are much better trained than the average freshwater guide.
For Commercial Insurance, there is no better in the US than Worldwide Marine. They provide the most coverage at the lowest rate in the US. Bob Luellen is an excellent guy to help you. 800-339-1235.
One of the best Captain's Course to attend is Capt. Roy.
http://www.capt-roys.com/ They provide excellent training in a fun environment. The instructors are Captains and know what they are teaching. I highly recommend you purchase Chapman's Book on Piloting (900 pages) is is the bible for Commercial boat operation. Use it as a resource and study guide to the course. While the class lasts only a week, you need to start studying 6-9 months in advance. Testing in the class starts around day 2 or 3.
If you are serious about getting your USCG license and want to call me, feel free.
