Can You Renew Your Captain’s License With Less Than 360 Days of Sea Time?

Getting your captain’s license is a significant achievement. But life doesn’t stop once you have it. 

Jobs, family, health, and a hundred other priorities can make it surprisingly easy to fall short of the 360 days of boating experience you need to renew. And not every licensed captain is out on the water every week. Many people hold their licenses for years without ever using them commercially.

If this is you and your five-year expiration deadline is approaching, you may be wondering if you can renew with less than 360 days of sea time.

The answer is yes, and here’s how.

How to Renew With Less Than 360 Days of Sea Time

When you hear the Coast Guard requires 360 days of sea time (personal or commercial) to renew your captain’s license, it probably sounds like an absolute: not enough hours, no license. 

But that’s not the case. The Coast Guard recognizes that life happens and not everyone gets their time on the water. So, they offer an alternative path forward.

For captains needing to renew with less than 360 days of sea time, the Coast Guard accepts specific refresher training in place of the on-water experience. At Mariners Learning System, we offer a Deck License Renewal course designed and approved by the Coast Guard for exactly this situation.

The course covers the Rules of the Road, Deck Safety, and Deck General. There’s no chart plotting, and it takes most people 12 hours to complete. It’s not a difficult course, though it obviously takes some effort. Think of it as a solid refresher on the core knowledge every captain should have.

Once you finish and pass the exam, we issue you a Certificate of Completion. You submit that certificate along with your renewal application, and the Coast Guard accepts it in lieu of the 360 days of sea time. It’s that straightforward.

Other Requirements to Meet for Renewal

The Deck License Renewal course takes care of the sea time requirement, but you’ll need to check a few other boxes as well:

• Drug test. You’ll need to pass a DOT-approved, 5-panel drug test within six months of your application date (or provide documentation of enrollment in a DOT-approved random drug testing program).
• Physical examination. A new physical is required for renewal, assuring the Coast Guard you’re fit for duty as a captain. 
• TWIC card. You only need a current TWIC card for renewal if you use your license in certain commercial circumstances that require access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels. If you don’t, then you can apply for an exemption.

What if You Can’t Renew Yet for Other Reasons?

A sea time shortage isn’t the only issue that can complicate a renewal. 

Maybe you’ve developed a health problem that keeps you from performing a captain’s duties effectively, but you’ll recover with time. Or maybe you’ve been injured and are on perfectly legal, doctor-prescribed medications that are, unfortunately, incompatible with operating a vessel commercially. 

The Coast Guard has a provision for this, too. It’s called “continuity,” and I’ve been through it myself. 

After I earned my license, I developed back issues. For a time, I needed prescription pain medication that wasn’t permitted for the captain of a vessel. Rather than let my license expire during my recovery, I put it into continuity. Basically, I hit pause. I couldn’t use the license commercially during that time, but I didn’t lose it either.

When the issue was resolved, I picked right back up where I left off.

You can do the same if your renewal is coming up and something is standing in the way. You can even apply for continuity during the grace period after your license has technically expired, though I strongly recommend not waiting very long. 

The process is simple. You just fill out an application for a Document of Continuity, which includes your reason for applying, and submit it to the Coast Guard.

Continuity gives you the time to resolve whatever is holding you back from renewing without the pressure of watching deadlines loom closer.

Renewing With Less Than 360 Days Sea Time: Final Thoughts

You worked hard to earn your captain’s license. Don’t let it slip away over low sea time or a rough stretch of life.

Whether you need to renew with less than 360 days of sea time or you’re dealing with a temporary health issue, the Coast Guard has options for you. If you’re not sure where you stand or what your next step should be, reach out. We want you to keep the license you earned.