Fishing guides and charter boat captains operate small passenger vessels on
inland or near coastal ocean waters. The Oregon State Marine Board defines a
guide boat as one operating on inland waters only and a charter boat as one
operating on near coastal ocean waters.

With a few exceptions all fishing guides and charter boat captains are
required to hold a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed as either
Operator or Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or Master 25 tons or
greater.

    The exception to this rule is fishing guides that operate exclusively on
    non-federally navigable waterways are not required to hold USCG
    credentials. Click Here to view a list of non-federally navigable
    waterways for the Pacific NW.

Fishing guides and charter boat captains are required to hold USCG issued
Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) when carrying passengers for hire on
power driven vessels operated on ocean waters or on the federally navigable
waterways of the US. The most common license held by fishing guides and
charter boat captains is the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel
license, AKA the OUPV license or 6-pack license because of its limitation to six
passengers for hire.



    Guides and charter boat captains that carry more than six passengers
    for hire must hold a USCG issued license as Master 25 tons or higher.
    The Master 25 ton license issues the same authority as the OUPV
    license plus the additional authority to operate inspected passenger
    vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire on inland or near
    coastal ocean waters.

Oregon State Marine Board

To become an Oregon Fishing Guide or operate a Charter Boat out of the
state of Oregon you need to register with the Oregon State Marine Board as
a Guide and Outfitter. To register you will need to:

  1. Supply the Oregon State Marine Board with a notarized copy of your
    OUPV license.
  2. Complete the application form
  3. Pay the annual fee
  4. Provide evidence of current First Aid and CPR Training, Liability
    Insurance, and a Surety Bond if you receive deposits from customers in
    excess of $100.

    Click on the following links for more information:
Columbia Pacific Maritime Information
Columbia Pacific Maritime Home Page
Course approvals and schedule for USCG approved courses
Workbooks for USCG approved courses
Information about Columbia Pacific Maritime
How to contact Columbia Pacific Maritime
Information on USCG Merchant Marine Licenses
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or 6-pack license information
Master 100 ton license information, this includes Master 25 tons and Master 50 tons
Master or Mate 200 ton license information, this includes Master and Mate 150 tons
Master / Mate of fishing industry vessels license information
Master and Mate of towing vessel license information
Able Seaman and Ordinary Seaman credential information
Radar observer courses for original issue and renewal
STCW 95 Visual Communications (Flashing Light) information
Celestial Navigation for adding an
Assistance towing and auxiliary sail endorsements for existing licenses
USCG Merchant Marine license information
Documenting the qualifying sea service experience is the first step to qualifying for a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential
Getting a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) is the second step in getting a Merchant Mariner Credential
Completing the USCG application is the third step in getting a Merchant Mariner Credential
General information regarding resources, student feedback, emploment and license questions
Information on how to become an Oregon fishing guide or Charter Boat operator
USMariner.info news and information forums
Lodging and other resources in the Portland area
Columbia Pacific Maritime provides USCG approved courses for Merchant Mariner Credentials.
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Fishing Guides and Charter Boat Captains