How to Become a Professional Yacht Captain

There are many requirements that must be fulfilled before you can become a professional yacht captain. Requirements differ depending on what bodies of water you will be employed on. Those interested in working on the sea should get in touch with the closest United States Coast Guard office for an explanation of their regulations and for locally-pertinent advice.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Think about the bodies of water on which you would like to be employed. The requirements for sailing on the Great Lakes or other United States areas are different than the requirements for international sailing.

2. Begin your planning. Get your Merchant Mariner Document. Directly seek a maritime-associated company or union. Go to a maritime technical training school. Enroll in a maritime academy or college.

3. Apply for an original entry level Merchant Mariner Document or MMD. You must show proof that you have passed a drug test. You also need your Social Security card, evidence of legitimate entry into the U.S., and appropriate papers for identification/citizenship. Proof of service or appropriate practice will be given to set service qualifications for those wanting qualified ratings.

4. Get in touch with a maritime company or union. The United States Coast Guard website lists a few to contact.

5. Receive technical training. The Seafarers International Union and Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies are a few listed on the Coast Guard website.
   

6. Enroll in a Maritime College or Academy. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and Texas A&M University at Galveston are two listed on the Coast Guard website.

7. Request and apply for the Limited Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vehicles license.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to get your entry level MMD approved for international service, proof of medical fitness is needed. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) also are interesting in sailing internationally and call for a lot of training for mariners in qualified ratings. Those interested will must be 16 years old, but any candidate between 16 and 18 years old needs to have a notarized statement of parental or guardian's permission. Provide two photographs (passport-type) and have your fingerprints taken. Aliens trying to get an MMD will need to show appropriate papers from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

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