Thank You, Coast Guard!
With the renewal of the Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant (CGFEG), Explorer’s Guide Online (EGO) would like to the demonstrate our commitment to maritime education and say “thank you” to those who keep our waters safe.
Through February 2020, EGO will be offering its OUPV course for $500/student. This price, along with the CGFEG, allows Coasties to earn their OUPV license with no out of pocket expense. Use the coupon code oupv500 at checkout to access the discount.
Why Explorer’s Guide Online?
- Self-Paced Learning: Online courses make learning convenient & easy. No classrooms or schedules mean you learn at your leisure.
- Unbeatable Support: From start to finish, we’re committed to your success. We will provide all necessary support to help you earn your license.
- Cutterman Owned: Owned and operated by a Coast Guard veteran/cutterman, we know the challenges you face at sea & design the courses with you in mind.
- Proven Success: 99.99% of our students pass their licensing exams on the first try. We’ve helped hundreds of Coasties earn their commercial, maritime licenses.
Coast Guard Foundation Education Grant
- Eligible Members:
- Active Duty E3 – E6
- Selective Reserve members meeting minimum criteria (see ALCOAST 283/19)
- The maximum payable reimbursement is currently $500/student – enough to cover an OUPV license or many of EGO’s other courses.
Hundreds of Satisfied Captains
“Earning my license online was a breeze. The courses were easy to navigate & follow along. Even Rules of the Road was made easy. I’m so happy I chose to earn my license with Explorer’s Guide.”
“This is program is top notch. I looked at a handful of other programs but this one was by far the best. The lessons were extremely helpful and easy to navigate. By the time I was finished, the test questions were second nature!”
“I can’t thank you enough for how enjoyable you made the experience of getting my license. I was really nervous about the tests, but with all of reviews that you put in the program, they really turned out to be a non-issue.”
“With our ship’s busy schedule, the online courses were exactly what the crew needed. The Explorer’s Guide team answered all our questions & made the process easy. We all passed the exams first try!”
Our Courses
Our courses have been reviewed by the National Maritime Center and are approved as licensing training
More courses coming soon!
OUPV (Six Pack) – Inland, Great Lakes and Near Coastal
An Operator of Uninspected Vessel (OUPV) license allows it holder to operate vessels less than 100 Gross Tons and carry up to six passengers-for-hire. This license is commonly referred to as a “six-pack license.”
For professionals, this is an excellent license for anyone starting or advancing a maritime career and is common among fishing guides, charter captains, and water taxis. Earning this license will enable you to captain vessels and chart your own course. For many mariners, this is a common first “Captain’s license” and is also a common next step from an Able Seaman credential.
Course Length: 52 hours, may vary based on student experience
Assistance Towing
An “endorsement” is a provision added to a license that alters the license scope or operating application. An Assistance Tow endorsement allows a vessel captain to tow another vessel for a fee.
For professionals, this endorsement is required if you wish to tow another vessel for a fee. This license is common among water construction vessels, barges, and services such as SeaTow. This endorsement expedites a career in any of these exciting fields.
Course Length: 4 hours, may vary based on student experience
OUPV Upgrade to 200 Ton Mate License
An OUPV Upgrade to 200 Ton Mate license allows its holder to operate both inspected and uninspected vessels up to 200 gross tons.
For professionals, this license is required if you wish to operate an inspected vessel up to 200 tons while pursuing the necessary experience to earn a 200 Ton Master license. This license is common among offshore oil/gas support vessels, ferries, supply vessels, and large vessel charters. Earning this license allows you to upgrade your vessel size, your passenger limits, and scope of operations.
Course Length: 14 hours, may vary based on student experience
OUPV Upgrade to 100 Ton Master
An OUPV Upgrade to 100 Ton Master license allows its holder to Master both inspected and uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons. This also allows its holder to carry more than six-passengers-for-hire.
For professionals, this license is required if you wish to be the Master of an inspected vessel and/or carry more than six-passengers-for-hire. This license is common among offshore oil/gas support vessels, ferries, sight-seeing tours, and large vessel charters. Earning this license allows you to upgrade your vessel size, your passenger limits, and scope of operations.
Course Length: 14 hours, may vary based on student experience
Auxiliary Sail Endorsement
An “endorsement” is a provision added to a license that alters the license scope or operating application. An Auxiliary Sail endorsement is required for anyone wishing to operate or be the Master of a sail vessel (with or without machinery propulsion).
For professionals, this endorsement is common among professional sail racers, tourism vessels, sail charters, and sail education organizations. This endorsement enables an exciting career in the world of sail.
Course Length: 4 hours, may vary based on student experience
Able Seaman Rating
Successful completion of this Able Seaman program allows the student to apply for a National Able Seaman Rating.
This rating enables its holder to advance a maritime career beyond entry-level positions. This rating allows its holder to stand watches aboard a vessel and take on positions of increased responsibility in the Deck department and navigation team
Course Length: 40 hours, may vary based on student experience
All Courses
Company Background
Who we are?
Explorer’s Guide Online is a commercial maritime licensing provider and has been offering high quality, captain’s licensing training for over 17 years. Owned and operated by a Coast Guard veteran, we effectively translate years of real-world sailing and navigation experience to our online courses.
Our Vision:
Explorer’s Guide Online will be the premier “high touch, high tech,” mid-sized, maritime training provider in the U.S. We will be synonymous with excellence in maritime education and safety standards, and we will methodically prepare students for professional, maritime careers.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to train mariners to operate safely. We do this by offering intuitively designed, highly engaging online courses. These courses give our students the necessary skills and knowledge to operate safely and captain confidently.
Purpose Driven:
A registered Public Benefit corporation Explorer’s Guide Online is committed to preserving our waterways and creating a safe maritime community. As such, we’re committed to giving back a portion of our time, talents, and resources to championing these causes.
Reach Us
Ahoy! Interested in learning more? Give us a call or send us a message, and an Explorer’s Guide team member will respond back within 24 hours.
(414) 409-7228