Printable View
Trying to hone in on best route to pursue to get the OUPV six pack license. I researched the requirements and have a good handle on those but debating whether to do classroom or online. The online would fit my schedule better, but don't want to go that route if it is not a proven method. Would like to get some input from those of you that have "been there done that". Thanks in advance.
MR Dux could tell ya
I have a Master's lic which is way beyond the OUPV but I'd suggest the classroom. It'll cost ya but you'll pass the test.
Classroom. It costs more but it was well worth the money.
I attended the classroom course given by True Course. They offer it at Green Turtle Bay at Grand Rivers each year. It's not cheap, the course is thorough but total attention is a must. There were folks from all over the world in my class. The test could only be described as brutal.
A tournament bass pro buddy of mine took the on-line course and said he would never recommend it.
Keep in mind there are a bunch of requirements that have to be met before you can ever sit in a classroom. True Course site will go thru all the requirements. Drug test, special eye exam, TWIC card.
Just received an email from Green Turtle Bay this past week about the upcoming TrueCoarse classes in April. I wanted to do it since I have all the required experience, but the class schedule doesn't work for me though with the weekday classes.
For the 6-Pack it's $795
April 6 - 13
9a - 6p Weekends
9a - 5p Weekdays
OUPV/6 Pack
Known as the 6-Pack
This license is required for carrying up to 6 passengers for hire. It can be used for entry level Delivery Captains or mates, or Captains of private boats for short cruises. This is a frequent license used for fishing guides. This is also a great license for the private owner that wishes to become a better Skipper of his own vessel. The course teaches you to be a competent boat pilot. The class is 56 hours long
Attachment 332670
I just finished up the online course and the testing. It really is a lot of material to cover, most of which you will never, ever use...but to satisfy the Coast Guard, you have to do it. I think if I was doing it again, I'd go for the classroom setting. If you want to PM me, I'll be glad to answer any questions that I can.
You'll have to add another $100+ for the actual test. All told, I figured with all my requirements for my initial OUPV, I dropped close to $2K.Quote:
Originally Posted by artcarney_agr
The True Course instructor called me out the 1st day to say it was ludicrous for a crappie guide to have to hold the same license as a charter captain in the gulf or a tow operator BUT USCG makes no distinction. I did learn some stuff that was very interesting that I'll never use in my guiding.
So you are saying that you feel like the extra $200 to $300 for the classroom setting would be worth it?Quote:
Originally Posted by kyfishman
I lean towards the online route since it's cheaper and can complete the learning at my own pace. OUPV and USCG Six-Pack Captain's License Online
Which online site did you use?
The classroom setting might be a bit better for preparing you for the test. But the online program is doable. I went with Mariners Learning System, after looking at several online courses and reviewing them, and was really pleased. Their coursework is laid out in a very good way. They also include instructional videos for each session. I also youtubed a lot of videos pertaining to the course work, particularly the compass work and chart plotting. The course work for the Six-Pack license from Mariners Learning System cost me $695 and included the cost of the test. They have several testing sites around the country with tests being given throughout the year. You just pick a test site near you with a date that works for you. I took my test at Bass Pro Shop in Chattanooga. As you've been told, there are other costs....like the TWIC card, the Physical and Eye Test, the Drug Test, and CPR-First Aid, etc. It is a lot to go through just to be a fishing guide, but it's what the Coast Guard demands.
MR and All, just my comments and I hope all fishermen at the site agree. I admire all of you that take the time and expense to be Coast Guard Certified as a Guide in KY or country wide. I was is in SC and very few 'Guides' were Certified by the Coast Guide as a Guide. Most just posted they were 'Guides'. I looked for a Coast Guard certified Guide in SC to take my dad and his friend fishing for Blue catfish. When I researched the 40 or more guides that Guided for Catfish, I only found 7 that had the Coast guard certification. So, if you want a 'Guide' make sure they are Coast Guard Certified. The KY website will issue a 'Guide' permit but it has very few requirements'. I hate to think that this is all that is what is required to be a 'Guide' in KY, Pay your $150, fill out the form and you are now a 'Guide". I think all of these guys in that get Coast Guard Certified in Ky,(in addition to the huge expense to be Coast Guard certified) pay $150/year for a KY 'Guide' license in addition to all the certification training. So, keep this in mind when you hire a Coast Guard Certified Guide and notice they may charge a little bit more than the 'local' guides that are not certified.
One word - insuranceQuote:
Originally Posted by perchjerker108
Unless something has changed the Coast Guard six pack license requirement is being phased in
across the country on all Federal regulated waters and applies to not only fishing guides, but also hunting guides.
When I started the process to guide on KY and Barkley, I got a bunch of misinformation. Some of it was from the Coast Guard office in Paducah. KY Fish and Wildlife could care less if somebody who pays $150 for a guide license has a OUPV (Six Pack) credential. US Coast Guard could care less if somebody who has the OUPV has a KY F&W guide license. They are totally separate.
I called Frankfort with a question about OUPV and they put me in touch with the USCG Head of Recreational Boating for the entire SE USA. In our conversation, he told me if a guide is caught on any of what they call the Western Waterways (any water that attaches to the Mississippi River by navigation) without the OUPV, he/she would be subject to a fine of up to $25,000 and forfeiture of all equipment (boat, tackle, truck and trailer at the ramp). That in itself took away any temptation I might have had to not get all my ducks in a row.
I've had several folks ask me to explain what the process is and how much. When I told them, they said no way they would go to that expense and they would take their chances without the OUPV.
My guide insurance is 3X what it would cost to just cover the boat and gear. My new deal with Excel is going to require a lot more coverage and that is going to cost double what the regular guide policy would be.
It's very expensive to be a Licensed and Insured Guide. I figure I can't afford to even consider guiding without all my I's dotted and T's crossed.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've just completed the US Coast Guard certified course in order to gain my Captain's license so I can guide for crappie on Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lakes. Like M R Dux, I began my quest by getting in touch with the KY Wildlife Office in Frankfort. A very helpful person there steered me to the US Coast Guard office for the Southeast Region, where I got all the requirements and helpful advice I needed. I can tell you personally that the USCG takes "very" seriously their requirements for being a guide. Unlike Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland have no barge traffic and/or locks needed to traverse the lakes. However, the USCG still controls the Cumberland River waterways and it makes no difference whether there is any "commercial" traffic or not. To be legal, they said, you have to have a Coast Guard certified license or be prepared to face the consequences. I was glad to oblige!
Doug, and all, This seems to be VERY complicated on the Rules.Quote:
Originally Posted by M R Dux
1st: If you are 'checked' by the KY conservation officer on the lake for whatever reason, According to you,THEY don't care if you are a Certified Captain(Coast Guard Certified). Just as long as you have paid the $150 fee and have the documentation for the KY 'Guide' license . Is this correct ?
2nd: Now, I guess, per your information, IF for some reason the Coast Guard has to be involved, and you are 'checked' and if you are not 'Certified' by the Coast Guard', then you lose all your stuff, even though you have a 'Guide' license for the state of Ky. Is this correct?
Somehow, I can't figure out why the two requirements are 'separate' and not related. If the Coast Guard certification is required for all Guides in KY, then the 'Guide' license in KY should require this on the form.
1st Correct. They can't ticket you for the federal violation of not having the OUPV. That doesn't mean they won't get on the radio and call for Coast Guard.
2nd Correct Certified isn't the term. It's "credentialed" You would have to go to court before they could legally take your stuff but I doubt the Coast Guard would have a problem with going to court. It would probably involve an accident with clients that would warrant the book being thrown at you.
Coast Guard credential isn't required for all guides in KY, just those who guide on rivers or lakes attached to the Mississippi or its tributaries. You are dealing with two entirely different entities with USCG and KY F&W. Different rules apply.
Mr, thanks for taking the time to explain this stuff. Excellent post. I guess it boils down to the 'client' choices when selecting a Guide. I will from now on, only look for Guides that have the Coast Guard 'Credentials' going forward.
Insurance and the six-pack license go hand in hand. If someone is advertising as a coast guard certified captain, there's a good chance that person has a good insurance policy too and is the one I would feel more comfortable in fishing with.Quote:
Originally Posted by perchjerker108