"

Hi Carl,

The requirements for the USCG 100gt Masters license are listed on the National Maritime Center website - - click HERE to go to the website. The wording on the USCG website is vague and it looks like 720 days at sea are required, but it is 360 days. Remember, a sea day is not 24 hours, rather it is 4-8 hours underway and there is bonus time for continuous passages greater than 24 hours.

There are lots of schools that give the courses. I attended the Maritime Professional Training Center in Fort Lauderdale (954) 525-1014 to acquire my USCG 1600gt All Oceans license, and they are one of the best having been in business for 25 years and offering a full range of courses. I don't know about other schools, but MPT is all on-site schooling at their facility, but they can arrange economical temporary housing and they have access to limited scholorship funds. The thing I like about MPT is they tailor the coursework to your schedule. Click HERE for a link to their Reference Manual and Course Catalog.

Good luck,

Captain Bob Wellen

"

Hi Carl,

I'm from the UK and all my licenses are MCA, so I'm not entirely familiar with the USCG system, however I did find this information online which explains the requirements:

The Master 100 Ton License allows the licensee to operate Coast Guard inspected vessels of up to 100GT, granted in 50GT increments. This is a version of the 6-pack license that allows more than 6 paying customers on board.

In order to qualify for a Master 100 Ton license, one must demonstrate a least 360 days of service (90 within the past 3 years) on any vessel. There are two different variables in this license; tonage and distance offshore.

Distance offshore is one of the five possibilities with only four available for Charter Boat level Credentials:

- Rivers - No special requirements beyond the standard 360 days

- Inland - No special requirements beyond the standard 360 days

- Great Lakes and Inland - For this sublicense, 90 of the 360 days declared must be on Great Lakes waters.

- Near Coastal - For this sublicense, one must demonstrate the standard 360 days, but also at least 360 additional days in near-coastal or ocean waters.

- Oceans - This endorsement is not available for Charter Boat level Credentials. Mariners wishing to operate vessels beyond the restrictions of a near coastal license must meet the requirements for the 200 ton license.

The Master 100 Ton Credential also offers the Auxiliary Sail endorsement and the Assistance Towing endorsement. For an Auxiliary Sail endorsement, 360 days of service on sail- or auxiliary-sail vessels must be demonstrated. For the Assistance Towing endorsement, a separate exam must be passed.

I can recommend International Yachtmaster Training (IYT) in Fort Lauderdale. I completed my Yachtmaster Ocean License there in 2007 and was very impressed with the quality of the tutoring. IYT should also be able to advise if the course can be completed online.

Good luck,

Captain Ian Fagg