Captains License & Endorsements, Online Approved Courses and Other USCG Courses in Wisconsin and Other Locations in U.S.
Explorers Guide Maritime Academy has been successfully turning boaters into Captains for over twelve years in Wisconsin and the academy provides a variety of maritime courses in classroom, online, and distance learning formats, from the USCG-approved Captains License classes, to public safety and recreational boating classes. Captain license classroom courses are routinely held in Appleton, WI; Milwaukee, WI, Sturgeon Bay, WI; Saint Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; Grass Valley, CA and other west coast locations.
Online courses are also available for students worldwide with access to the course material available 24/7. These are in the same format as the classroom classes and students work through the material at their own pace, and are then required to sit for a proctored final exam at a location nearest to them. Explorers Guide Maritime Academy has USCG-Approved Proctored Exam Sites all over the United States.
Explorers Guide Maritime Academy has received approval by the Wisconsin Department of veterans Affairs to offer Veteran's education benefits to qualified Veterans. Only Classroom Courses in Appleton, Sturgeon Bay, and Milwaukee, WI are approved for this benefit. At this time, Online Captains License classes are not covered for VA funding.
Training Programs
USCG Approved Courses
- 200 Ton Masters Upgrade: Upgrade from 100 tons to 200 ton inland, Great Lakes, and Near Coastal.
- OUPV for Inland, Great Lakes, and Near Coastal Routes: This is a starting point for most mariners and ideal for fishing guides, dive operators, etc. The Captain license classes (OUPV) cover all three routes, Inland, Great Lakes and Near Coastal waters, in online or classroom format.
- OUPV Upgrade to Master 100 Ton for Inland and Great Lakes Routes: To operate an inspected vessel, a vessel with more than 6 passengers, you need to upgrade your license (Merchant Mariner Credentials) to a Master's. The actual tonnage endorsement and route depends on your sea service.
- OUPV Upgrade to Master 100 Ton for Near Coastal Waters: To operate an inspected vessel on Near Coastal waters, a vessel with more than 6 passengers, you need to upgrade your license (Merchant Mariner Credentials) to a Master's Near Coastal. This requires at least 720 days of sea service with 360 on the4 Great Lakes or Near Coastal waters.
- Master Increase in Scope to Near Coastal Waters: Masters Increase in Scope course adds near coastal routes to your Masters Inland/Great lakes credentials.
- Upgrade Your OUPV License to Mate 200 Ton: With the OUPV to Mate 200 Ton endorsement and proper sea service, you can request an upgrade to Master 200 Tons without further examination. You can go from OUPV with one year of sea service on vessels over 67 tons to Master 200 Ton with this program.
- Marine Radio Operator Permit (FCC): If you operate an inspected vessel on the Great Lakes or Tidal waters you will also have to have an FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit.
- Assistance Towing Endorsement: There are several endorsements you may want to add to your license. If you want to commercially tow other boaters in, you need to add the Assistance Towing endorsement. This can be added to either an OUPV or Masters 100 Ton captain’s license.
- Auxiliary Sail Endorsement: Auxiliary Sailing for Master License is only for captains working on an inspected sailing vessel. This can be added to Masters 100 Ton captain’s license
Other Classroom Courses
LAST UPDATED ON July 21, 2021
