Fishing Guides
Fishing guides operate small passenger vessels on inland and near coastal
ocean waters.
Fishing guides are not required to hold USCG issued licenses when
carrying six or fewer passengers for hire on non-power driven vessels or
on power driven vessels operated on the non-federally navigable
waterways of the US. Non-federally navigable waterways are inland lakes
and rivers that are regulated by individual states and do not fall under
federal regulations.
Click Here to view a list of non-federally navigable waterways for the
Pacific NW.
Fishing guides are required to hold USCG issued licenses when carrying
more than six passengers for hire or when carrying any number of
passengers for hire on power driven vessels operated on ocean waters or
the federally navigable waterways of the US. The most common license
held by fishing guides carrying six or fewer passengers for hire is the
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel license, also-known-as the
OUPV license or the 6-pack license because of its limitation to six
passengers for hire.
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) license
The OUPV license is issued by the USCG as a Merchant Marine Credential
(MMC) with the domestic officers endorsement of "Operator of
Uninspected Passenger Vessel". The OUPV license issues the authority to
operate passenger vessels of less than 100 tons carry six or fewer
passengers for hire, hence the term "6-pack license, not counting the
operator or crew. A passenger is anyone that has paid or contributed,
either directly or indirectly, as a condition for carriage on the vessel.
Oregon Fishing Guide
To become an Oregon Fishing Guide you need to register with the Oregon
State Marine Board as a Guide and Outfitter. To register you will need to:
- Supply the Oregon State Marine Board with a notarized copy of
your USCG Merchant Marine Credential.
- Complete the application form
- Pay the annual fee
- Provide evidence of current First Aid and CPR Training, Liability
Insurance, and a Surety Bond if you receive deposits from
customers in excess of $100.
Click on the following links for more information:
Columbia Pacific Maritime courses
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 64-hour Operator of
Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) course and presents your
Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center WITHIN ONE YEAR of
the completion of training, will satisfy the examination requirements of
46 CFR 10.205(i) for original issuance, 46 CFR 10. 209(c)(iii) for
renewal, and 46 CFR 10.209(f) for reissuance of a license as Operator of
Uninspected Passenger Vessels (Near Coastal).
First Aid and CPR
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 8-Hour First Aid &
CPR course will satisfy the Basic Safety - Elementary First Aid training
requirements of Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code
and 46 CFR 11.202(b)(3); AND if presented within one year of the date
of training, the First Aid & CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.205
(e)(1)(ii) and 11.205(e)(2)(iii) for original issuance of an officer
endorsement.
Note: Applicants for an original USCG license as OUPV or Master
must have completed an American Red Cross, American Heart
Association or other approved First Aid and CPR course within one
year of the date of the application.

