OUPV/Six-Pack Captain’s License - Online Course and Exam

Name: OUPV/Six-Pack Captain’s License - Online Course and Exam
Brand: Mariners Learning System
SKU: V4-CG-OUPVDGL
Price: 695.0 USD
Availability: InStock

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$695.00

Learn and Save Together: Team up, 50% off the second course.

Why You Need This

Unlock New Adventures on the Water! The OUPV/Six-Pack captain's license online course is essential for those looking to start fishing or sailing charters, conduct sightseeing tours, and more. Known as the "6-Pack" license, it allows you to carry up to six paying passengers plus a crew member on uninspected vessels (up to 100 GRT) for both power and sail.

What Is Mariners White Glove Service

When you purchase a captain’s course from us, we include our Mariners White Glove Service. This means that we will be with you every step of the way until you have your captain’s license.

Once you’ve passed the exam for your captain’s license, there are some additional steps to apply for and receive your license from the USCG. But don’t worry, included with your purchase is our License Application Support.

Powered by MM-SEAS, you can access live, expert USCG licensing advice and career mentorship whenever needed. Our White Glove Service double-checks your USCG application for common mistakes, saving you time and hassle. Licensing paperwork has never been easier. Normally, this has a $198 value, but we include this for free for two years!

Pass Guarantee

You put in the work; we guarantee you'll pass your exam! We wrote the course material and the exam, so rest assured you'll be adequately prepared with the knowledge you need to pass the test and feel confident on the water. With our Pass Guarantee and unmatched customer support, learning with Mariners is RISK-FREE!

Put in the work, lean on our support, and we guarantee you'll pass your exam!

Guided application support included - FREE, a $198 value!

Included Material

12-Month Course Access - Unlimited use of your complete online training program
Online Final Exam - Available any day, any time; on your schedule
Pass Guarantee - Put in the effort, and we'll back your success
MLS Multimedia Training - Learn your way with video lessons, eBooks, and audio content
MLS Mobile Access - Study online or offline from any device
MM-SEAS Expert Access (2 Years) - Expert USCG licensing support and interactive application tools
Long Island Sound Training Chart (12354TR) - Practice chart plotting using the same chart featured in the exam
Official Chart Plotting Test Packet - Includes all materials for your original final exam attempt
MLS Carrying Bag - A durable tote to keep your training gear organized

Physical materials are available for free shipping via USPS Priority Mail. Alternative shipping options are available at checkout for an additional cost.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will need a set of parallels and dividers for the Chart Plotting module and final exam. These can be purchased from our website.

License Requirements

Overview

The USCG OUPV/Six-Pack captain's license lets you operate uninspected vessels, both power and sail, up to 100 gross tons (typically 75–90 feet long) with up to six paying passengers plus one crew. It's perfect for charter fishing, diving, or tour operations.

License Types

While the online course and exam are the same for all, your license type depends on your boating experience:

Inland

Operate shoreward of the U.S. Boundary Line (follows the coast, crossing bays, rivers, and inlets), excluding the Great Lakes
360 days of boating experience since 16 years old, with 90 in the last 7 years for recency

Near Coastal

Operate shoreward of the U.S. Boundary Line (follows the coast, crossing bays, rivers, and inlets), excluding the Great Lakes AND up to 100 miles offshore
360 days of boating experience since 16 years old, with 90 outside the boundary line; 90 of the overall days in the last 7 years for recency

Near Coastal with Great Lakes

Operate shoreward of the U.S. Boundary Line (follows the coast, crossing bays, rivers, and inlets), on the Great Lakes AND up to 100 miles offshore
360 days of boating experience since 16 years old, with 90 on the Great Lakes; 90 of the overall days in the last 7 years for recency

✅ You can use time from your own boat (with proof of ownership) or others' (with signed forms). Time before age 16 doesn’t count.

Additional Requirements

To qualify, you must:

Be 18+ and legally able to work in the U.S.
Pass a physical and DOT drug test (or meet exemption requirements)
Complete Adult CPR & First Aid training
Hold a TWIC Card
Document the required boating experience
Finish the MLS online course and proctored exam

Getting Licensed

No need to visit a USCG testing center - everything is done online. Once you pass the final exam, you'll receive a Mariners Learning System™ certificate recognized by the Coast Guard.

📬 Submit your certificate, application, and supporting documents to the USCG within one year. Once approved, your official captain’s license will be mailed
directly to you.

Online Testing

With Mariners Learning System™, you can complete your entire Captain’s License course and proctored final exam 100% online - on your schedule.

Any day. Any time. Any place. No need to travel to a USCG Regional Exam Center.

Grading & Exam Format

The OUPV/Six-Pack Final Exam is divided into four
modules. You must pass all four to earn your Certificate of Completion:

Chart Plotting

10 questions | 90% to pass | Max 1 wrong

Navigation General

50 questions | 70% to pass | Max 15 wrong

Deck General & Safety

50 questions | 70% to pass | Max 15 wrong

Rules of the Road

50 questions | 90% to pass | Max 5 wrong

❗If you fail a module, you may retest after review. Retakes must occur within 3 months of the original attempt or before course expiration - whichever
comes first.

Students who fail any module three times must retake the entire course and all exams after a 45-day wait, within the 12-month course period.

Technical & Testing Requirements

To take your proctored exam, you must have:

A high-speed internet connection
A desktop or laptop (no Chromebooks/tablets/phones) with webcam and microphone
The ability to download exam software via your MLS account

Before testing, you'll be asked to:

Complete a course evaluation form
Show a clear, legible copy of a USCG-approved photo ID on camera

Accepted Photo IDs

You must provide one of the following:

U.S. Driver's License
U.S. or Foreign Passport
U.S. Military ID
Law Enforcement Credential with Photo
Government-issued ID (Federal, State, or Local)
Merchant Mariner Document (issued after February 3, 2003)

⚠️ IMPORTANT: IDs must be clear, valid, and legible. Failure to present an acceptable ID will result in automatic exam failure - no exceptions per USCG policy.

All Devices

Flexible Learning

Pass Guarantee

Coast Guard-Approved

24/7 Support

How We Stack Up

Mariners

The Rest

: Reflects the institution's confidence in its curriculum and its commitment to student success.

Put in the work, lean on our support, and we guarantee the results.

To our knowledge, no other school provides a written pass guarantee.
: Traveling to a test center is unnecessary, saving time and reducing the stress associated with commuting.

No extra fees are involved. Final Proctored Exams are available 24/7, on any day, at any time, without the need for an appointment.

Many schools require a $95 fee and an appointment. Some require online students to test at a physical site.
: Guidance through applications, especially for licenses or certifications, drastically reduces students' administrative burden.

We've partnered with MM-SEAS to provide unlimited phone or video access to Coast Guard licensing experts. Get 2 years of MM-SEAS Expert Access software, a $198 value, free with any MLS Captain's Course.

While most schools can address basic application queries, services like Mariners' often cost $300 or more.
: Ensuring students can access course materials regardless of internet reliability is crucial, enabling uninterrupted progression in their studies.

Course materials are accessible both online and offline. While offline, quizzes and module exams will automatically sync once a Wi-Fi connection is available.

While you can access your course when connected to a Wi-Fi network, offline access is not available.
: Incredibly useful for auditory learners and for times when reading isn't an option.

Mariners offers professionally recorded audio lectures, complementing the eBooks, which are available for convenient download to listen to anywhere.

Some online courses include audio but are not meant to be downloaded.
: Essential for online education, these digital textbooks provide a handy and easily navigable format for studying course content.

Professionally designed, our eBooks are downloadable for convenience and printable for easy reference.

Although many online schools permit limited material downloads, most don't provide downloadable eBooks for flexible learning anytime, anywhere.
: Prompt and reliable tech support ensures smooth navigation and uninterrupted learning.

Available 24/7 Any Day or Time. This is not a ticket system. The person who answers the phone is qualified to fix your issue.

Since most eLearning Centers do not have technical expertise, they provide limited tech support.

Everything You Need To Know

: The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) or Six-Pack captain's license authorizes the holder to operate up to 100 gross tons of uninspected vessels, power and sail. This license applies to boats carrying up to six paying passengers plus one crew. The term "Six-Pack" refers to the license's limitation of six paying passengers.
: The OUPV/Six-Pack captain's license is ideal for small-scale maritime services, such as charter fishing, SCUBA diving trips, and sightseeing or tour cruises. It's perfect for operators looking to offer personalized or specialty boating experiences.
: The name "Six-Pack" derives from the license's restriction, which allows for a maximum of six paying passengers aboard at any given time, not counting the crew. This limitation aligns with regulations for uninspected vessels, making it a popular choice for small recreational and charter businesses.
: Uninspected vessels are boats that do not require full inspection by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that commercial vessels might. However, they must still comply with federal safety and operational regulations. The OUPV/Six-Pack license applies specifically to these types of vessels.
: Qualification involves accumulating specific maritime experience, passing a physical examination and a drug test, obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), taking CPR and First Aid, paying a Coast Guard application fee, and successfully passing a USCG-approved examination.
: Yes. The distinction between the licenses lies in operational boundaries and sea service experience. The OUPV Inland license requires experience operating on inland waters and restricts you to operating within those waters. In contrast, the OUPV Near Coastal license requires experience navigating coastal waters. With this license, you can operate professionally on inland waterways and up to 100 nautical miles offshore.
: Documenting boating experience requires the completion of Sea Service Forms that detail the nature and extent of your experience on the water. These forms are part of the application package for an OUPV license and must be submitted along with other required documentation and fees to the United States Coast Guard.
: Yes, personal boating experience can count towards the qualification requirements. Applicants must document their experience accurately, including dates, vessel information, and the nature of the voyages.
: Yes, applicants must be at least 18 years old and legally eligible to work in the United States.
: The license must be renewed every five years. Renewal requirements include showing boating experience or continuing education in some cases, passing a physical and a drug test, and paying the renewal fee.
: Carrying more than six paying passengers requires upgrading to a different type of license, specifically a Master's license, and operating a vessel inspected and certified by the USCG to carry more passengers safely.
: Yes, you can upgrade from one type of OUPV license to another. For example, if you have an OUPV Inland license and then gain 90 days of experience on the Great Lakes, you can upgrade to the Great Lakes & Near Coastal license. Similarly, additional sea service seaward of the boundary line can lead to an upgrade to a Near Coastal license.

Real Captains, Real Results

"Mariners allowed me to run a thriving business..."

Captain Billy Self runs a thriving cruise business near Dallas called Sail with Scott, originally started by his father, Scott Self.

Captain Scott’s story began with the construction of a 40’ wooden catamaran, Seawolf, inside their family warehouse business. After two years of work, Seawolf was ready to set sail on the waters of Lake Ray Hubbard in 2008. Captain Scott operated Seawolf passionately until 2020, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away shortly after. The photo opposite is from his last sail with his son Captain Billy.

Wanting to carry on the tradition of Seawolf and sharing the love of sailing on Lake Ray Hubbard, Captain Billy obtained his captain’s license with Mariners Learning System, which he did with great success! He achieved outstanding scores for his OUPV/6-Pack Captain’s License, Towing and Sailing Endorsements, and his upgrade to Masters.

Captain Billy is now carrying on his father's legacy as the owner of Sail with Scott.

"Mariners provided an excellent education..."

"Mariners Learning System has been an important piece of my maritime journey and my career. Six years ago, I took your course and obtained my Captain's License, and recently, I completed the requirements to upgrade to the Master Captain's License (shout out to MM-SEAS for making my licensing paperwork process a breeze!) Mariners provided an excellent education that allowed me to truly absorb the material, build my skills, and ultimately, prepare me to run the business I own now! I'm having the best time running the Upper Chesapeake Boat School, where I get to teach individual and group lessons that empower boating students to navigate the water with confidence."

- Captain Lauren Warren

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MLS iVideo Training Series

Learning Anytime, Anywhere: Watch, listen, and learn at your convenience
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Simplified Explanation: Animated videos allow for simplified explanations of difficult topics, breaking down information into digestible chunks

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MLS Audio

Flexible Learning: Incorporating in-depth audio lectures offers a dynamic and flexible learning experience, empowering learners to absorb course material effectively while accommodating their individual preferences and lifestyles
Enhanced Comprehension: With audio reinforcement, improve reading comprehension and engage in multi-modal learning for a deeper understanding of course material
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Seamless Learning Experience: Enjoy a fluid and intuitive learning environment by transitioning between desktop and mobile
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200,000+ Students Can’t Be Wrong!

Over the last two decades, our courses continue to evolve and improve. Along with our expert, 24/7 technical support team and a 98.7% pass rate, we guarantee you’ll be happy with your Mariners experience.

"I tested tonight and had great success. Thank you for all your guidance through this experience. The staff at Mariners couldn't be more professional, patient, and prompt. I'm looking forward to applying what I've learned on the water. Thank you, Mariners Learning System."

Read Our Reviews

Overall rating: 4.737037 / 5 from 270 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The OUPV/Six-Pack Captain's License online course and exam is highly regarded for its clear and helpful videos, engaging class, well-organized package, easy-to-follow format, and comprehensive study guides. Customers appreciate the excellent system, informative material, and thorough content, though some found the content boring.

Summary topics

Video Clarity: 5%
Class Engagement: 4%
Package Organization: 4%
Product Format: 4%
Study Guides: 5%

Review topics: [material, delivery, customer service, program, setup, layout, interface, system, support, quality, service, videos, experience, test, class, study, package, content, information, boater, books, learning, exam, quizzes, lessons, mls, help, flash cards, modules, process].

Review highlights

"Excellent presentation easily tracks progress, good videos, lectures and book learning all reinforcing the material." — Lavender E.
"They shipped the books fast, and I was able to access the information online instantly." — Wild 9.
"I Recommend the teaching style and audio visual and written material" — Helpful 2.

Reviews

So far the approach to

"So far the approach to covering the licensing knowledge requirements has been excellent- however, I’m frustrated that, after paying full price, a Father’s Day discount of 30% is being offered. Perhaps other boaters wanting to purchase the system should hold off until an attractive discount code is again offered- I feel a bit foolish for paying full price 😟"

— Robert J. (5/5)

Appropriately Difficult

"There are plenty of resources for practicing. It is not easy to get beyond a module. The test questions are tricky. But if that is how the final exam is then it’s appropriate."

— Chad S. (5/5)

So far the course is

"So far the course is going good. Will update once I have completed."

— ETHAN H. (5/5)

Excellent Program

"After getting into it and putting an honest foot forward, I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot. Great overall course and thorough. Major plus for it being self-paced and the final proctored exam being on your schedule. I could work on everything or revisit sections as needed when I had the time. I think this is a plus; I could work each section and study each fully until I was totally comfortable with it. I landed on Mariner’s Learning System on my own, but I’d recommend this course to anyone looking to apply for their OUPV."

— Mark W. (5/5)

It was a good system

"It was a good system and I was able to do well on the test. I really appreciated the military discount."

— Terrence K. (5/5)

Six pack review

"I believe this course is designed to be way more difficult than it should be. I think more time should be spent on safety and what to do in an emergency. The course was very informative but I feel I spent way too much time and energy learning material I will never use."

— tim s. (5/5)

Very well done and very

"Very well done and very easy to use on line course. You don’t really need the additional study guides as the course is sufficient. The downloadable notes for each section could be better written and provide a more concise review of key points. Often the notes are presented in more of a statement of something the rule allows as opposed to the exact requirements of the rule."

— David K. (5/5)

So far it's been interesting

"So far it's been interesting and fun"

— Jack R. (5/5)

I would upgrade the videos

"I would upgrade the videos and have an instructor explaining and giving memory aids."

— WILLIAM F. (4/5)

So far I have no

"So far I have no issues and the material has been presented in a way that is easy to comprehend. I have only been studying and using the course for approximately a month"

— JOSEPH K. (5/5)

Q&A

How long do I have to complete the 6-pack course: Students have one year from activation to complete their online course and pass our final exam. How you break up your study time within that year is up to you; some students have taken 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months - it depends on your schedule. Consistency is key though!