Chris Adams of Adams Marine Seminars conducts a class at the Cultural Maritime Training Center of the 500 Sails Lower Base Boatyard in 2023.
IN February, 500 Sails will host the Adams Marine Seminars on Saipan to conduct classes on the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel or OUPV license, Master Near Coastal License, and Assistance Towing Endorsement, 500 Sails program manager Andrea Carr said.
All courses will take place at the 500 Sails Cultural Maritime Training Center in Lower Base. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/5dsw9y2h
Carr said the OUPV license class will be held on Feb. 19-27 with a total of 54.5 hours of instruction time. The OUPV class costs $1,095, which includes all materials for the course. A $500 deposit is due by Feb. 1.
With an OUPV license, a captain can carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel up to 100 tons in weight.
Those who already hold an OUPV license can upgrade their license to a Master Near Coastal endorsement. Master license holders can operate inspected vessels up to 100 tons, and can carry more than six passengers.
The classes for the Master’s License course will be held from Feb. 28 to March 1. The cost is $375 with a $150 deposit due by Feb. 1.
The Assistance Towing Endorsement class is set for March 1. The cost is $100 with a $50 deposit due Feb. 1.
According to the Adams Marine Seminars website, the towing endorsement is required for captains who operate commercial towing services.
Entry to the class requires passing a DOT5 drug test, which is offered on Saipan by Diagnostic Laboratory and Reliance Testing.
Carr said residents who pass their chosen course can enter the maritime industry. License holders can become dive operators, offer transfers to Managaha, operate jet skis for hire, use their towing endorsement for parasailing, operate their boats for commercial fishing charters, and more.
Carr recommends that registrants familiarize themselves with maritime navigation rules before taking a course.
“Read the rules before coming to class,” she said. “That will help a lot.”
A copy of the Coast Guard’s navigation rules and regulations is available at http://tinyurl.com/ycy7ftph
After a registrant passes an OUPV, Masters License, or Towing Endorsement class, they must also comply with Coast Guard requirements, which include passing a physical exam; first aid and CPR licensure; and obtaining a Transportation Workers Identification Credential.
There are also boating experience requirements. The OUPV license requires 360 days at sea while the Masters license requires 720 days at sea. To learn more about the requirements, go to 500sails.org
For more information, call 500 Sails at (670) 323-7245 or email [email protected]/.
