
USCG Master 200 ton License
A USCG license as Master 200 tons issues the authority to operate any uninspected or inspected
vessel within the tonnage limitations of the license except a towing vessel greater than 26 feet. To
qualify for a license as Master greater than 100 tons requires sea service experience as master or
mate while holding a USCG Merchant Marine License (see sidebar notes).
Advancement from Mate 200 tons to Master 200 tons in based on sea service experience alone; no
USCG exams are required.
USCG Mate 200 ton License
A license as Master authorizes the authority to be in charge of the vessel; a license as Mate
authorizes the authority to be in charge of a navigational watch. To qualify for a license as Mate
200 tons or less requires one year of sea service experience; six months for inland waters.
Tonnage Limitations
USCG licenses from 50 to 200 tons are issued in 50 ton increments, rounded up, based on the
following formula:
- Either the maximum tonnage that 25% of the qualifying experience was on OR
- 150% of the maximum tonnage that 50% of the qualifying experience was on.
Route
These licenses are issued with one of the following routes:
Inland includes all inland waters of the United States.
Near Coastal includes all inland waters of the United States and all ocean waters within 200 nautical
miles from shore.
Ocean includes all inland waters of the United States and all ocean waters.
Course Sequence
80-hour Master 100 ton course
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 80-hour Master 100 Tons course and presents
your Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center WITHIN ONE YEAR of the completion of
training, will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(i) for original issuance, 46 CFR
10. 209(c)(iii) for renewal, and 46 CFR 10.209(f) for reissuance of a license as Master of Steam or
Motor Vessels of Not More Than 100 Gross Tons (except oceans).
32-hour Master 100 ton to Master 200 ton Upgrade course
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 32-hour Upgrade Master 100 Tons to Master
200 Tons course and who presents your Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center WITHIN
ONE YEAR of the completion of training, will satisfy the exam requirements of 46 CFR 10.207 for
upgrade of a license from Master 100 Tons Near Coastal to Master 200 Tons Near Coastal.
Ocean Route
60-hour Celestial Navigation (200 tons) course
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 60-hour Celestial Navigation (200 Tons) course
and who presents your Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center WITHIN ONE YEAR of the
completion of training, will satisfy the celestial navigation examination requirements of 46 CFR
10.215(c) and 10.401(d) for adding an “Upon Oceans” endorsement to any deck license up to
Master Not More Than 200 Gross Tons, or to a license as Master or Mate of Uninspected Fishing
Industry Vessels.
5-day Radar Observer course
Any applicant who has successfully completed you 5-day Radar Observer (Unlimited) course will
satisfy the requirements of 46 CFR 10.480 for an endorsement as Radar Observer (Unlimited).
Sea Service Requirements