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Frequently asked questions
OUPV stands for Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels. Often referred to as a “6-Pack” license, this USCG-issued endorsement allows you to operate an uninspected vessel carrying up to six paying passengers.
Under Coast Guard regulations, vessels carrying six or fewer passengers for hire are not required to undergo formal inspection and certification. However, once a vessel carries more than six paying passengers, it must be USCG-inspected and certified for that specific service.
While both are USCG-issued captain's licenses, they differ in scope and the types of vessels you’re authorized to operate:
OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels): This license allows you to operate uninspected vessels carrying up to six paying passengers. These vessels are not required to have a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the Coast Guard.
Master License: A Master license expands your authority to include USCG-inspected vessels, which are certified and permitted to carry more than six passengers for hire. These vessels must meet specific safety and structural standards and are issued a COI.
In short, the Master license is required if you want to operate larger commercial vessels that carry seven or more passengers for hire.
Let’s say you run a fishing charter business. During peak fishing season, you might operate smaller boats carrying up to six passengers, perfectly suited for your OUPV license.
However, during the off-season, you may want additional work, perhaps as a tour boat captain or operating a small passenger ferry. These vessels are often USCG-inspected and carry more than six passengers. In that case, your OUPV license alone wouldn’t qualify you, you’d need a Master license to legally operate those larger, inspected vessels.
Having both endorsements gives you greater flexibility, enabling you to take on a wider range of maritime jobs year-round, regardless of the type or size of vessel.