How to Become a Sailing Captain or Instructor

Would you like to turn your love of sailing on Flathead Lake into a career? At Go Sail Montana, we are always interested in adding enthusiastic and experienced sailors to our growing team. You may be closer to qualifying for a job as a captain or instructor than you think. Here is an overview of the steps you need to take:

Become a Sailing Captain

To captain a vessel commercially, you must obtain an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUVP) license through the US Coast Guard. It is often called a 6-pack license because it allows you to carry up to six paying passengers. Your OUVP application will need to include:

• A log of 360 days working on a boat. Any work on any boat counts. If you don’t meet a minimum of 90 days in near coastal or ocean waters, your OUVP will be limited to inland water only.
• Successful completion of USCG exam. There are USCG-approved courses, online and in-person, which may be taken in place of the exam.
• First aid and CPR certification
• A physical exam and a drug test

When you’re ready to begin the process of becoming a captain, check out the OUVP application checklist, or if you would like to know more about working for Go Sail Montana, visit our careers page.

Become a Sailing Instructor

If your passion is for teaching new sailors, you should consider becoming an ASA Certified sailing instructor. To do this, you must attend an Instructor Qualification Clinic (IQC). The clinic provides some ASA instructor training, but it is mostly an assessment of your teaching techniques, practical sailing skills, and sailing knowledge. There is no online option, so you will need to find the IQC that fits your schedule and then contact the affiliate school for an application. Go Sail Flathead Lake also offers private clinics on occasion. For more information on sailing instructor clinics on Flathead Lake, visit the careers page.

The prerequisites for attending an IQC are:

• First aid and CPR certification
• Three years of experience sailing or 1000 hours. 
• Current ASA membership.

Fortunately, the ASA instructor training is also one of the best ways to prepare to be a sailing captain: by doing what you already love and spending time on the water gaining experience. And if you’d like to become a sailing instructor on Flathead Lake next summer, we may have a career opportunity for you!