Boating Captains

boat captains sail

Follow your passion for boating to become a licensed boat captain, take boating courses to sharpen your skills, or hire a boat captain for yacht deliveries & charters

Ever wonder what it would take to become a boat captain... or at least a better boater? There are many resources to help you learn from a seasoned boater to improve your boat handling, and how to work towards becoming a licensed boat captain.

And even experienced boaters can benefit from boat captains - from hiring a captain to assist with a yacht delivery or relocation of a boat, to chartering a boat for a sailing vacation getaway.

Explore the different resources for boat captains - both becoming one or hiring one!

Types of Boat Captains

boat captain

Captain's License

Become a licensed boat captain

Boating Courses

Boat handling & certifications

Hire a Captain

Hire delivery or relocation captain

boat charters

Boat Charters

Captained charters & excursions

Boat Captain's License

boat captain

Becoming a licensed boat captain can be a great personal achievement for experienced boaters... and even lead to career opportunities on the water that would only be available to you as a licensed boat captain.

Getting your captain's license can be a lengthy process involving sea time experience, health & medical exams, criminal & national security backgrounds, and of course a through license exam administered by the Coast Guard to determine your knowledge of navigation and boating. A "masters" captain's license also requires additional areas of testing.

With a boat captain license you'll be qualified for many commercial boating opportunities to turn your passion for boating into a paying career!

captains license step by step guide

How to Get Your Captain's License

A step-by-step guide to everything you need to do to prepare for & obtain a boat captain license. Read more

 

Boating Courses

boating courses

Become a licensed boater boat with online certification courses, or simply improve your boat handling, navigation and rules of the road.

Whether you are a new boater looking to develop on-water skills, or you need to take a boating course to become a licensed boater in your state, there are many online & in-person boating courses to help you get underway.

On-water boating courses are the best way to develop boat handling & navigation skills - like operating a boat, docking, steering & navigating. Courses then advance to more on-water navigation . Typically these boating courses are run by a licensed captain and are available in small group classes.

Online courses with online exams make it easy to obtain certifications required in your state or province with a Boater Education Certificate or Boater Education Card in the United States or a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) in Canada.

Featured Boating Courses

BoatTests101

BoatTests101.com is a leading provider of boater education and safety across the United States & Canada, providing official, government-approved boating courses and exams to obtain your boating license/Boater Education Card/Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Find your state/province exam, get unlimited tries to pass and get a license to start boating.

Hire a Captain

Even if you are a seasoned boater, there are times when its a smart move to hire a professional licensed boat captain.

Its often necessary to hire a boat captain for yacht deliveries, particularly for new boats that were purchased and need to be delivered to the boat owner's desired location (from a shipyard, boat dealership or manufacturer). A yacht delivery captain will help ensure that your vessel is transported via waterways and often help get the boat ready for use.

Similarly, you might hire a boat captain for boat relocations that may require longer distances in unfamiliar waterways. Many times the boat owner is on board to take the opportunity to learn how the boat handles and get operating experience on a new boat with the help of a boat captain.

Finally, you may want to hire a professional boat captain for hands-on lessons with your boat - whether its a new-to-you boat or you are new to boating. A few hours of instruction is an easy way to learn new skills, familiarize yourself with your boat or a new area, and gain confidence in your vessel’s capabilities. Captains are happy to share their professional expertise with boaters in order to help them become better, safer boaters.

Charters

boat charters

Looking for a getaway on the water? A charter boat cruise with a professional boat captain is the ideal way to explore, experience new destinations and get out on the water.

Going on a boat excursion with a captained charter can be a great way to explore new areas on the water. You'll likely discover new destinations on the water best known by local boat captains - like the best anchorages, small towns and historic landmarks. Best of all, having someone else captain the boat allows you to relax and enjoy yourself.

There are many different types of charter excursions you can choose from - like special events, couples cruising, vacation charters, historic tours, exploration outings and more.

capt rob

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Capt. Rob Chichester is a USCG 200 Ton Licensed Master Captain, engineer and owner & operator of Chesapeake Flotillas offering charters, instruction, and vessel relocation.
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