Coast Guard Approves New Restricted Captain’s License for Lake of the Woods

There is a new Captain’s License available on Lake of the Woods.  The U.S. Coast Guard approved a new vessel route for Northern Minnesota, or in layman’s terms, a restricted license for a select bodies of inland waters.

The U.S. Coast Guard has approved changes to the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsement for restricted operator of uninspected passenger vessels (ROUPV) on the northern interior waters of Minnesota.

These changes will reduce the burden on mariners who wish to operate uninspected commercial vessels limited to no more than six passengers, while maintaining an adequate standard of public safety and environmental protection.

Changes will affect new applicants for the restricted endorsement only. Mariners with an existing endorsement may maintain their current endorsement as long as their MMC remains active. This change is meant to simplify the process and establish uniformity to the credential issued for the area in question.

Mariners seeking a new credential or those who let their credential expire will be required to get the new endorsement listed below.

The new route that has been established for mariners seeking to operate under a ROUPV credential in the northern waters of Minnesota restricts mariners to operation on the following:

“Operators of uninspected passenger vessels of less than 100 gross registered tons upon inland waters are restricted to Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, Sand Point Lake and Crane Lake of Minnesota.” 

If you have ever had aspirations of being a charter captain on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, the Coast Guard just announced a new license option that makes taking the course and test much easier.

In the past, folks who wanted to receive their captain’s license had to go through the same course work and testing as someone looking to navigate the great lakes and inshore areas of the ocean.  The process was longer, more difficult and costlier.  Most importantly, the vast majority of captains who fish guide on Lake of the Woods have no interest in using their credentials anywhere else other than Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River.

If you are interested in getting a ROUPV or restricted captain’s license and guiding on The Walleye Capital of the World, there is a OUPV class coming in April to Sportsman’s Lodge just north of Baudette.  The dates are April 13-15, 2018.  Long time instructor Ted Gephart will be teaching the course.  Check out his website for more info.

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