US Merchant Marine Officer - Professional Boat Captain, Continuing Education Workforce Certificate

Professional Boat Captains are responsible for piloting a variety of boats for commercial purposes such as charter boats, dinner cruises, water taxis and assistance towing. Classes cover navigation, general deck safety, rules of the nautical road, lights, shapes and signals, and the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR).

Program objectives

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

  1. discuss the processes and procedures of safely and expertly piloting a commercial, 100 ton vehicle;
  2. read and understand maritime piloting markers and signs;
  3. use decision making skills necessary for a boat captain; and
  4. meet the certifying standards to receive a captain's license from the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential:

Students will earn a CCBC Workforce Training Certificate and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Students will be prepared to apply for a Professional Boat Captain license by the U.S. Coast Guard (testing is done in class).

Certifying Organization: U.S. Coast Guard www.gocoastguard.com

Financial Aid and Payment Options

CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs. 

Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development. 

For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.

Program Length

5 weeks (evening and Saturday classes)

Courses are offered in Fall, Winter & Spring at CCBC Dundalk.

Program Requirements

The U.S. Coast Guard has several prerequisites for licensing which include CPR/First Aid and Drug Testing.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Program Course Sequence

Student must complete all course work.

Course Number

Course

Title

Hours

Textbook Information

(approximate cost; subject to change)

Costs

T=Tuition/F=Fees

VOA 079

U.S. Coast Guard Captain's Licensing Course (MASTER)

92

Textbook is provided and included in the course costs.

$1,249

T-$375/F-$874
​CPR 013  ​CPR/First Aid Training ​8  ​

​ $129​
T-$39/F-$90
Course Series Totals​ ​ ​100 ​

​$1,378

T-$414/F-$964

Additional Information

Skills for Success:

Students must possess the ability to make prudent and rational decisions that affect the safety of others based on a changing environment.

Career Opportunities:

Captain of a Charter Boat, Water Taxi, Tour Boat and Delivery Boat.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA .  Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Contact Information

Coordinator: Jim Fitch | jfitch@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-1237  | Essex | BESS | 129

Director: Michelle McCallum | mmccallum@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-1925 | Essex | BESS | 117