Understanding Sea Service Requirements

Qualifying Sea Service: What Counts and What Doesn't

Is documentation of sea time required for a captain’s license? 

Documentation of boating experience is required to qualify for a captain’s license. The U.S. Coast Guard mandates that applicants provide proof of their sea service experience to demonstrate they meet the required minimum number of days on the water. The exact amount of sea time depends on the specific license being sought.

For a captain's license, you must have at least 360 days of sea service accumulated since turning 16. Out of these 360 days, 90 days must have been within the last three years to meet the recency requirement.

In terms of how sea time is counted, one day of sea service is equivalent to a minimum of 4 hours spent on the water. Additionally, you cannot count more than one day of sea time within any 24-hour period. The Coast Guard will require documentation for each of these days to verify your eligibility for the license.

What counts as sea service? 

Sea service is the accumulated experience a mariner gains while actively operating or working on boats - whether recreational, commercial, or military. To qualify, the vessel must be underway, not docked or anchored. Eligible sea service can begin at age 16 and includes time spent in specific roles on deck or in the engineering department, rather than as a passenger (e.g., cruise ship passengers do not qualify). Tasks that count toward sea service include line handling, lookout duties, steering, and other navigational responsibilities.

For the captain's licenses supported by our company, the Coast Guard generally requires sea time on vessels under 200 Gross Register Tons (GRT), aligning with the roles for which you’ll use your license. Mariners are responsible for keeping copies of their sea service records to ensure accurate and verified documentation.

How many hours is a day of sea service time?  

A day of sea service typically equals eight hours on the water. However, the National Maritime Center (NMC) often accepts a day as being just four hours when applying for an OUPV/Six-Pack or a 25, 50, or 100-ton Master license.

Each calendar day can only be counted once, regardless of whether you spent time on multiple boats that day. So, if you spent eight hours on your boat and another eight hours on a friend’s boat on the same day, it still counts as one day of sea time.

For sea service calculations, the Coast Guard considers one month as 30 days and one year as 360 days.

What size vessels can I claim experience on for my captain’s license? 

For a captain's license, your experience must be on a vessel with a minimum of a 5-horsepower engine and no greater than 200 Gross Register Tons (GRT). 

How can I prove my boating experience for a captain’s license? 

To prove your boating experience for a captain’s license, you'll need to document your sea service with the appropriate forms and supporting evidence.

For vessels less than 200 GRT:

You must submit the Small Vessel Sea Service Form (CG-719S). This form should be completed for each vessel you served aboard.

• If you are the owner of the vessel, you must also provide proof of ownership, which can include:
  • Title
  • Registration (for state-registered vessels)
  • Certificate of Documentation (for U.S. Coast Guard registered vessels)
  • Proof of insurance identifying the vessel
  • Bill(s) of sale
• If you are not the vessel owner, a person with knowledge of your service must attest to the accuracy of your sea service by signing the form and providing the required details
• If the vessel is owned by a corporation, you must include proof of ownership of the company, such as articles of incorporation

For vessels over 200 GRT:

• You may submit one of the following, signed by an appropriate official (such as an officer, owner, or employer, who is not the applicant):
  • Certificates of discharge
  • Letters on official letterhead indicating vessel details, dates of service, waters of service, and positions served
  • Other official documents like service logs or discharge books from marine companies

It’s essential to maintain accurate records of your sea service and ensure the supporting documentation is complete and signed by authorized individuals.

How do I provide proof of ownership when signing off on my own time?  

When signing off on your own time and claiming sea service on your vessel, you need to provide proof of ownership. This can be accomplished through any of the following documents:

• Boat Registration: The official document showing the boat’s registration with the state or relevant authorities.
• Vessel Documentation: If the vessel is U.S. Coast Guard documented, this document will verify your ownership.
• Insurance Card: An insurance card that lists the vessel and identifies you as the owner.
• Sales Receipt: If you purchased the vessel, a bill of sale or receipt can serve as proof of ownership.

These documents are required to validate that you were indeed the owner during the period of sea service you're claiming. It's important to submit these along with your CG-719S form to ensure your service is properly documented.

What if my sea time was on my friend’s/family’s boat?  

If your sea time was aboard a friend's or family member's boat, you will need to provide a Small Vessel Sea Service Form (CG-719S) that includes details of the vessel and your service. This form must be signed by the owner of the boat to verify that the information is accurate. The owner will need to confirm the dates of your service, the position you held, and other relevant details. 

What if my sea time was on my employer’s boat?  

If your time was aboard your company’s boat, they will need to sign off on your time on company letterhead. We recommend calling the National Maritime Center at (888) 427-5662 to learn more. 

How do I document sea time if the owner of the boat is deceased? 

If the owner of the boat is deceased, unfortunately, you cannot claim sea time for the period spent aboard their vessel, as the Coast Guard requires verification from the vessel owner. Since the deceased owner cannot sign off on your service, there is no way to validate your sea time under their ownership. 

Can you count military sea service time towards a captain’s license?  

Military sea service time can count towards your captain's license, but it's credited at a rate of 60% per qualifying day of service. This means that if you served a full day of military sea time, only 60% of that time may count towards your total sea service requirements for the license.

To ensure the military time qualifies, it must have been served in a relevant capacity to the type of license you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a license as a Master, the sea time must be related to duties performed that are similar to those of a licensed captain.

You’ll need to provide satisfactory evidence of your military sea service. This could include:

• Official military service transcripts
• Certified history of assignments
• Accredited statement of creditable sea service

A DD Form 214, which documents military discharge, is typically not enough on its own to prove sea service time for the purpose of applying for a captain's license.

💡 TIP! If you're considering using military service for your application, it's a good idea to consult with the National Maritime Center (NMC) to ensure all your documentation is in order. 

 Take a look over this guide on military sea service time and check out more information regarding our American Hero pricing. 

I worked as a crew member onboard a cruise ship, does that time count?  

Time spent aboard a cruise ship does not count toward sea service for the OUPV/6-Pack or 25/50/100-Ton Master licenses. The U.S. Coast Guard generally does not consider time spent as a crew member on a cruise ship because these vessels are classified differently and are typically engaged in passenger service rather than the type of commercial or recreational activities associated with the licenses in question. 

Does boating experience internationally count? 

International boating experience can count when documenting your boating experience for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). However, you must document it appropriately. 

How can I get time upon the water if I have none? 

If you don't have any sea service time yet, there are several ways you can start accumulating the required days on the water for your captain’s license:

1. Work as a Crew Member/Deckhand: Getting hired as a deckhand or crew member on a commercial or private vessel is a great way to gain valuable sea time. These positions usually involve hands-on responsibilities like line handling, navigation, lookout duties, and steering.

2. Go Out on Friend’s or Family Member’s Boats: If you have friends or family members with boats, you can spend time aboard their vessels performing duties to gain sea service. Just ensure that the vessel meets the Coast Guard's requirements, and have them sign off on your time.

3. Own Your Own Boat: If you own a boat, you can log your time spent working on it. You can engage in tasks like maintenance, navigation, or other duties to document your experience. You’ll need to provide proof of ownership, such as a registration or bill of sale.

4. Join a Local Boating Club: Many communities have boating clubs or sailing organizations. Joining one could provide access to boats, as well as opportunities to work as a volunteer crew member, where you can gain experience and log sea time.

The key is to keep track of the time spent on the water, noting the duties performed and having the appropriate sign-offs or documentation from boat owners or employers.

Which CFR can I learn more on sea service documentation?

For detailed information on sea service documentation, refer to 46 CFR 10.232 on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) website. This regulation outlines requirements for documenting sea service, including acceptable forms of proof, definitions of sea service, and necessary verification for different vessel sizes.