Columbia Pacific Maritime is a US Coast Guard (USCG) approved training
school located in northeast Portland, Oregon near the Portland International
Airport that focuses on the training needs for mariners employed on
uninspected vessels and inspected vessels of 200 tons and less.

Mission Statement

    It is, and will continue to be in the future, the mission of Columbia Pacific
    Maritime to provide US Coast Guard approved courses that meet the
    examination requirements for the original issue and renewal of Merchant
    Mariner Credential domestic officer’s endorsements in a small and
    personalized learning environment.

Maritime News and Information

    Columbia Pacific Maritime hosts a Maritime News website that has
    frequently updated content of interest to professional mariners.

    On this site you will find:
  • Updates from the National Maritime Center on licensing procedures
    and regulations.
  • Frequently Asked Questions concerning merchant marine credentials.
  • Employment news and information that focuses on uninspected
    vessels and vessels of 200 tons and less.
  • Feedback from Columbia Pacific Maritime Alumni.
  • Other information and news of interest to professional mariners with
    a focus on uninspected vessels and inspected vessels of 200 tons
    and less.



USCG Approved Courses offered by Columbia Pacific Maritime LLC

    All courses offered by Columbia Pacific Maritime are approved by the USCG
    to meet the training and examination requirements for the desired
    Merchant Marine Credential (MMC) without further testing.

    This includes USCG approved courses for:

Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels
    The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel license, also known as the
    OUPV license or the 6-pack license, is the most common captain's license
    held by fishing guides, tour guides and other small passenger vessel
    operators. To qualify for an OUPV license the applicant must have at least
    360 days sea service experience in the operation of vessels.

Master 100 tons
    The Master's license is the most common captain's license held by
    commercial vessel operators and will carry tonnage limitations of from 25
    to 1600 tons or unlimited tonnage depending on the sea service
    experience of the holder.

    A license as Master is required to operate any inspected vessel and carries
    the authority to operate any uninspected passenger vessel within the
    tonnage limitation on the license.

    Master 100 ton licenses are considered to be entry level because they do
    not require experience while holding a license and will be issued as Master
    25 tons, Master 50 tons or Master 100 tons depending on the experience
    of the applicant.

Master 200 tons
    After gaining sea service experience while holding a license the mariner
    may upgrade his or her license to Master 200 tons or higher, depending
    on the size of vessels the qualifying experience was on.

    A license as Mate, which issues the authority to be in charge of a
    navigational watch, may be issued to mariners who do not have watch-
    standing experience while holding a license and are excellent licenses for
    those seeking career advancement in the maritime industry. Entry level
    licenses as Mate are issued as Mate 25 tons, Mate 50 tons, Mate 100
    tons, Mate 150 tons or Mate 200 tons depending on the experience of
    the applicant.

    A license as Master or Mate of 200 tons or less is suitable for employment
    as the captain or mate of small passenger vessels, charter boats, water
    taxis, commercial assistance towing vessels, crew boats, supply boats
    and many other small vessels involved in the marine transportation
    industry.

Able Seaman
    The rating of Able Seaman is required for mariners working on deck of
    most commercial vessel greater than 100 tons. To qualify for the rating of
    Able Seaman the mariner must have at least 180 days sea service
    experience working on the deck of vessels and must complete training
    courses for STCW 95 Basic Safety Training and Proficiency in Survival
    Craft.

    Mariners seeking employment on commercial vessels that do not have sea
    service experience or who have not satisfied the additional training
    requirements for Able Seaman should consider applying for a Merchant
    Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed with the rating of Ordinary Seaman;
    this rating is sometimes known as a "z-card" or "MMD".

Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels
    The Apprentice Mate (steersman) course is an upgrade to the Master 200
    ton course and is one of the three routes to become the Captain of a
    tugboat.

    Once the mariner receives a license a Apprentice Mate (steersman)
    advancement to Mate of Towing and Master of Towing is based on sea
    service experience alone, no additional training courses or USCG exams
    are required.

Master of Fishing Industry Vessels
    The Master of Fishing Vessel course is an upgrade to the Master 200 ton
    course and, although the license does not require the mariner to have sea
    service experience on fishing vessels, it does require the mariner to have
    sea service experience on vessels over 50 tons.

    Fishing Industry Vessels greater than 200 tons are required to be
    operated by mariners holding Merchant Marine Credentials as Master or
    Mate. These licenses are issued with tonnage limitations of from not more
    than 500 tons to not more than 5,000 tons and authorize the authority
    to operate catcher boats, fish processors, tenders and packers involved
    in the harvest, processing or transportation of fisheries products.

License Endorsements
    Endorsements for Assistance Towing and Auxiliary Sail may be placed on
    any license of 200 tons or less.

Radar Observer
    A radar observer endorsement is required for any license authorizing the
    authority to operate a towing vessel, a vessel over 200 tons or any vessel
    on an ocean's route; meaning a route more than 200 miles from shore.

    Radar Observer endorsements must be renewed with each license renewal.

Celestial Navigation
    Demonstration of proficiency in celestial navigation is required for any
    license with an ocean's route; meaning a route more than 200 miles from
    shore.

Visual Communications (Flashing Light)
    Demonstration of the ability to receive messages transmitted by flashing
    light using Morse code is required for any license with an ocean's route;
    meaning a route more than 200 miles from shore.
Columbia Pacific Maritime Home Page
All USCG approved courses offered by Columbia Pacific Maritime
USCG approved course schedule and prices
Course study guides for sale
Information about Columbia Pacific Maritime
Contact information about Columbia Pacific Maritime
Information on USCG Merchant Marine Licenses
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or 6-pack license
License Information for fishing guides
Master 100 ton license, this includes Master 25 tons and Master 50 tons
Master 200 ton license, this includes Master 150 ton, Mate 200 ton and Mate 150 ton
Master or Mate of fishing industry vessels greater than 200 tons
Master and Mate of towing vessels
Able Seaman and Ordinary Seaman courses and information
Additional USCG courses for support of Merchant Marine Licenses
USCG approved First Aid & CPR Training
Radar observer courses
Celestial Navigation for uninspected vessels and vessel less than 200 tons
STCW Flashing Light Course
Assistance towing and auxiliary sail endorsements
USCG Merchant Marine license information
USCG Merchant Marine Credential application information
TWIC information
General information regarding resources, student feedback, emploment and license questions
News and information of interest to professional mariners
Maritime employment news information and links
Ferquently asked questions that I have responded to
Columbia Pacific Maritime Newsletter
Usefull resources and links
Columbia Pacific Maritime Students
Columbia Pacific Maritime provides USCG approved courses for Merchant Mariner Credentials.
A USCG Approved School for Merchant Marine Credentials
Go to Maritime News