Beyond the Charter: What Can You Do With a Captain’s License?

Many mariners dream of earning a captain’s license and starting a life, a career, or even a modest side hustle at the helm of their boat. But the classic image of a charter boat captain doesn’t appeal to everyone.

These dreamers wonder: What can you do with a captain’s license beyond charting boats? Here, we explore licensed captains’ opportunities to harness their skills and passions to build an exciting, profitable career.

What Can You Do With a Captain’s License?

Abandon the idea that there’s only one right way to be a captain. Use your imagination to turn broad ideas like these into your dream job.

Education and Eco Tours

Bringing a classroom to the water is a fun way to combine your skills, experience, and passion. As an educator or eco tour captain, you can teach visitors of all ages about local wildlife and plants and demonstrate the importance of protecting the environment.

This role is particularly well-suited to teachers who have summers off. Plus, it gives you a unique opportunity to impact students’ lives and the future of our world. (For instance, my life changed when a teacher shared their love of the water with me as a young boy.)

Adventure Tourism and Expeditions

Taking people, families, and corporate teams on special water expeditions can be especially fulfilling for boaters with an adventurous streak. As an adventure tourism captain, you’ll guide guests to hidden locations, see marine wildlife like whales and dolphins, and explore pristine coral reefs.

You can also host other adventures such as:

• Migratory birdwatching 
• Snorkeling 
• Diving
• Waterskiing
• Parasailing
• Location-specific experiences

Film and Media Production

From stock photographers to film crews, plenty of people need safe access to the water to capture stunning images and videos. Often, licensed captains help them get the perfect shots. 

You don’t have to be near Hollywood to work with these artists. Professionals may produce commercials, fishing shows, landscape photography, and real estate videos near you. And with the rise of YouTubers and other social media creators, your opportunities are only growing.

Real Estate

If you’re buying a waterfront property, what’s better: pulling into the driveway or the dock?

When I was looking for a waterfront property, I hired a real estate agent who was also a licensed captain. One day, we visited five properties on his boat. He showed me a side of those homes no other agent could — and a captain’s license can help you do the same.

Towboat and Salvage Operations

When a boat sinks, a licensed captain typically brings the crew out to recover it.

Boats don’t sink daily, but running out of fuel, running aground, or breaking down is common. As a towboat captain, you can act as the AAA (American Automobile Association) of the water, helping fellow boaters when they need assistance.

Marine Surveying

Financial companies often require prospective boat financiers to conduct a marine survey. A survey requires a person to go out on the boat to ensure its safety, seaworthiness, and overall value. While a surveyor doesn’t need to be a licensed captain, having the title certainly sounds better to banks and insurance companies.

Start an Environmentally-Friendly Boat Business

To start any business with your boat, you need a captain’s license that shows you’re qualified to operate a vessel with passengers safely. At the very least, you’ll need a Six-Pack captain’s license.

Following environmental best practices is one way to differentiate your business — especially eco tours — from other charters and expeditions. Use environmentally friendly boats, keep groups small, and teach guests about marine life and conservation.

Follow these quick steps for launching and promoting an eco-friendly business:

• Use green practices: Choose eco-friendly items, including an electric boat, and respect wildlife.
• Show your commitment: Earn environmental certifications demonstrating your passion for protecting nature and attracting eco-conscious guests.
• Educate passengers: Make your tours fun and informative for everyone onboard.
• Keep groups small: When you teach small groups about marine life and conservation, tailor each outing to the group’s interests.
• Market: Promote your business online and through eco-friendly partners.
• Upgrade: To differentiate your business, improve your skills through additional safety training, or get a higher-level captain’s license.
• Improve: Improve your tours by asking for and acting on passenger feedback.

Boost Your Business With a Partnership

You can do more with a captain’s license by partnering with other professionals.

Hotels, resorts, and other local businesses are already dedicated to creating exclusive guest experiences. Make sure they know your name. Or better yet, build a relationship with them. 

Many hotels offer a selection of brochures; you can work through those, as I’ve done. But at a larger hotel, I like talking with the concierge. They can point people in the right direction if they’re interested in fishing, taking a trip on the water, or touring the harbor while in town.

That real estate agent I mentioned earlier? I met him through a hotel concierge!

Consider these additional ways of working with hotels:

• Bundle deals: Combine a stay at the hotel with a boat tour for one price.
• Market together: Share the costs and reach of advertising to get more business, especially when special events occur in your area.
• Special offers: Give deals to each other’s customers, like discounts on tours or rooms.
• Loyalty rewards: Offer perks for repeat bookings, such as a free tour when a guest earns enough loyalty points.

You can also work with other local businesses by bundling services for a unique experience. For example:

• “Spa and splash” bundles: Take people out for a day of snorkeling, then return them to land for a relaxing time at a spa.
• “Explore and eat” packages: Host a fun cruise followed by a special dinner. Some waterfront communities even have restaurants with their docks.
• “Surf and turf” deals: Take passengers fishing in the morning, then take them golfing in the afternoon. This bundle is particularly popular for bachelor parties.
• Support local shops: Feature other businesses’ products in your tours.
• Events and stays: Offer special bundles tied to local festivals or events.

After you start your business and partnerships, maximize your earning potential by making the experience as easy and fun for your customers as possible. That means staying flexible, personalizing services when possible, being friendly and professional, and making it easy to book trips. Above all, listen to feedback and keep improving!

Give Back With Your Captain’s License

Starting a business is just one example of what you can do with a captain’s license. Go beyond commercial opportunities by leveraging your skills to support causes you believe in. 

For example, you can share your love for boating by teaching seamanship and teamwork skills to aspiring mariners both young and old. And the opportunities don’t end there. You can:

• Clean up waterways
• Assist with marine research
• Help local communities with rescue and aid during emergencies
• Donate healing sailing experiences to organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project  
• Host events on the water to fundraise and support local charities

Benefits of Starting a Business

Now that you know what you can do with a captain’s license, find out what your captain’s license can do for you. Boat ownership is a complex investment, but a captain’s license can help you save money. 

When you start a business with your captain’s license, you can save by deducting:

• Business expenses, including boat fuel, repairs, and safety gear
• Home office costs, such as internet or rent, if you work from home on your boating business
• Certain travel costs associated with your boat business
• Course fees if you take classes to learn more about boating
• Fees for renewing your captain’s license

How much you save ultimately depends on understanding tax rules and regulations — generally and for boats. Familiarize yourself with the tax laws that affect you, then follow them to avoid fines and keep your savings in your pocket. 

Additionally, connect with a tax professional to ensure you save as much as possible while following the rules. But don’t leave these details for tax season: keep good records all year, save all your receipts, and take notes about how you use your boat for business.

More Resources for Using Your Captain’s License

Becoming a professional boat captain is exciting but unconventional. If you want more information before embarking on a new (potentially uncertain) career path, consult trustworthy resources like the USCG National Maritime Center for the detailed, accurate information you need. 

You can access even more resources by getting involved in the boating community. Join marine organizations like your region’s Charter Boat Captain’s Association or ASA (American Sailing Association) to start networking and learning. You can also attend courses and industry seminars.

Your greatest resource is your experience. Find a mentor or talk to captains looking for crew members to get started on a small boat, and see what you’ll discover!

Are you looking forward to what you can do with a captain’s license? Start your journey by taking a Mariners Learning System course today.