What Kind of License Do You Need to Drive a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ships are huge vessels that carry passengers from one port to the other – usually for leisure purposes. It is an exciting job for those who love the sea and would like to make a career out of it. To become a captain of a cruise ship, you need more than just knowledge about navigation and ship mechanics – you will also need to obtain the necessary license.
The type of license you need to drive a cruise ship depends on the size of the vessel and its route. For example, if you plan to work on ships with a gross tonnage (GT) less than 500 tons, then you will need an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) license. This license covers vessels not carrying passengers for hire that travel up to 100 nautical miles offshore.
If your vessel has a GT between 500 and 3000 tons, then you will need an Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) or Master Near Coastal (MNC) license. This license is required for vessels that travel up to 200 nautical miles offshore and carry more than twelve passengers for hire.
For vessels with GT greater than 3000 tons that travel up to 200 nautical miles offshore, you will need a Master Unlimited (MUN) or Chief Mate Unlimited (CMU) license. These licenses are required for vessels carrying more than twelve passengers for hire.
Finally, if your vessel has GT greater than 3000 tons and travels over 200 nautical miles offshore, then you will need an Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW) or Chief Engineer Unlimited (CEU) license. This is needed for vessels carrying more than twelve passengers for hire and travelling over 200 nautical miles offshore.
In addition to the licenses mentioned above, all cruiseship captains are required to have some form of medical certification before they can assume command of their vessel. Depending on the route and size of the ship, this could be either STCW 95 certification or USCG-approved training courses.
No matter which type of cruise ship captain’s license you choose, it is important that you understand all the requirements and regulations associated with operating your vessel safely and responsibly at sea. With proper preparation and training, anyone can become a qualified cruise ship captain – it just takes some hard work and dedication!
Conclusion:
In order to drive a cruise ship, you must obtain one of several different types of licenses depending on the size and route of your vessel – ranging from Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV), Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW), or Master Near Coastal (MNC) licenses; all the way up to Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW), Chief Engineer Unlimited (CEU), or Master Unlimited (MUN). All captains must also have some form STCW 95 certification or USCG-approved training courses before assuming command over their vessel. With proper preparation and training anyone can become qualified as a cruise ship captain!