The last requirement is that you will need to take a drug test. You need to prove that you are free from exposure to five illegal or controlled drugs: Marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines. If you are already employed in an industry that performs random drug testing for these substances, you can get a letter from your company indicating your test results. If you are not already part of a screening program, you will have to find a local drug testing company that is capable of performing the tests. These can generally be found in the phone book or you can discuss it with your doctor when you get your physical. Some doctors can even do the drug test as part of the physical. However, you will need a separate form, indicating the results, from the lab.

In addition, if you are going to operate using your license, you will need to be in a continuing random drug testing program. If you are working commercially, the company will usually have some sort of program and can provide you with the appropriate forms. If you are going to be operating your own boat, you can join a charter boat captains' consortium that will, among other things, enroll you in their drug program.

GETTING MORE INFORMATION

Specific information about what you will need to do to fulfill any of these requirements can be found on the US Coast Guard website.

Specific information is usually available from any of the schools that provide OUPV training. Because the schools are staffed by people who already have their licenses and work with Coast Guard offices on a regular basis, they can usually provide or at least point you in the right direction.

There are also several consulting firms that can offer assistance in reviewing and preparing your package for the Coast Guard review process. If you are in a hurry or you have specific issues that you would like to discuss, they can be well worth the investment. Most of these companies are run by former Coast Guard examiners who know the ins-and-out of the system. The best known of these is Mark Grossetti, who operates his consulting service in Massachusetts, but works with applicants all over the country. Even if you are not in a hurry, Mark's website, www.cglicense.com, is an excellent resource on licensing details and is worth the time to review.

There are a lot of good reasons to have your captain's license, but there is one that rises above all others: Commitment. Getting a license requires you to keep educated, to prove your fitness to command, both physically and mentally, and to push yourself to a higher standard of operational ability.

Even if you never take out a single paying customer, getting your license and keeping it updated means that you have taken an oath to maintain a higher standard on the water and that you are willing to do what it takes to operate safely and cleanly. Having the license doesn't mean you will never have an accident, but it does mean you'll be better able to handle it if you do.

It also means you can proudly wear one of those tee-shirts that read "Captain."