Guiding on River Without Captain License

Couple weeks ago I upgraded my Captain License from 6- Pak to a Masters Captain License. In the class the Captain teaching the class was talking about the crack down of guides on the river guiding without a Captain License. The US Coast Guard as well as all DNR officials are now working together to start checking for guide licenses and Captain Licenses. If you do have a Captain License they will also be checking to make sure you have a TWIC Card. It is required to have if you are a Captain. Also remember if you are guiding on the river a wisconsin guide license is required from what I was told especially if you are fishing the wisconsin side of the river…Minnesota doesn’t require a state license for guiding but Wisconsin does.

Just wanted to let people know they are starting to really crack down….

I have seen people guiding on all pools without them….

Good point, I have a regular WI guide license and wouldn’t even consider doing a paid guide trip on the Mississippi without the captains license. I know it happens way more often than it should, I’ve seen it several times.

I’m from the school of thought that messing with federal regulations is usually a very bad idea. I’m also glad to hear that the DNR will be active in this. Maybe that means we’ll see them on the water besides just on April 1st and the week following.

I want to know how they will get around the loop-hole in the law. As it states, if you are paid to transport any individual in your vessel, you must have your C.L. Clear as can be! (same thing goes for the other side of the state in lake Mi also)

So, an individual is paid $350.00 to do a half hour seminar in the parking lot for a group of two people per their signed contract. Following, he/she takes them fishing for the day at NO-Charge. The seminar clients sighed a contract
knowing they paid for a demonstration and that they could not pay or tip the individual for fishing in their boat. Now its within the law – even if the owner of the vessel has a guides license.
I know many guys do this and get away with it. Personally, I’m afraid to as much as accept gas money for taking anyone on the lake, just incase its assumed I’m guiding them. I struggled with that because I do not have a CL, and I DO NOT guide on Lake MI. But I have taken a lot of guys out 15 miles fishing open water thermoclines, power plants, harbors, Door county,….and exchanged information. Where do you actually cross the line?? I didn’t get paid in cash, but from doing a trip swap, I get a lot of information on other bodies of water. Is information a camodity that could be considered payment for services?? I’m just tossing the question out there to see what other’s opinions are on this. I have my thoughts on it and I do believe in ANY guide completing a well organized boater & lifeguard training- regardless of what body of water they are on.

Also remember if you are guiding for duck and goose hunting ,if the water you are fishing is accesible by ANY vessel, you will need a captains license..There are guys owning land in LaCrosse that can be accessed by boat that had to get license for duck hunting…

How do you go about getting a Captians Lic.

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How do you go about getting a Captians Lic.

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There’s lots of good info here, Shooter:

Explorers Guide LLC

Randy, I ‘spose there will always be loop holes. If there’s a serious accident, I’m not going to want to be that guy that was working the loop holes.

Personally, I would have a hard time hiring a guide that tells me I’m getting a “seminar” and then a free guided trip…or whatever spin is put on it.

Jarrett, which Masters did you get and congratulations Captain!

I’ve tossed a Masters around over the last year.
Explorer’s LLC has an on line up grade, but I can’t see a benefit for the up grade as a guide. Now that you’ve obtained your Master’s, what are the benefits?

BrianK,

Not sure who Jarrett is….

But if you are referring to me. I plan on using the Masters for a few things. First since my job was cut I will be ranked higher when it comes to getting jobs with the Corps of Engineers. The Corps don’t even have interest in people that just hold a 6- Pak license. The Masters also allows you to drive a lot bigger boats depending on what kind of Tonage endorsement you have. Masters is a very high ranking depending on the Tonage you qualify for. The Masters and Mates level earns you the respect you have earned with years of boating experience as well as giving you the ability to serve on either inspected (7 or more passengers) or uninspected vessels as you choose. I also picked up the Commercial Assisted Towing endorsement up to 200 Tons. There is alot of benefits you can get from both…best thing is to call the Captain that taught the class and he can tell you all the benefits without me having to write a book…

Can’t bank on guiding on the river all the time…

Jarrad sorry, force of habit.

The one thing that’s stopped me from moving forward is getting the hours needed.

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For 100 ton Masters you need EITHER:

1) Maximum tonnage on which 25% of required experience obtained, OR 2) 150% tonnage on which at least 50% of experience obtained.

So for a 100 ton license Inland or Great Lakes you need 90 days (25% of 360) on a vessel over 50 tons or 180 days on a vessel of at least 34 tons.

Double for Near Coastal

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Will barge companies hire a person to get the needed hours…then quit?

Jarrad,

Congrats on getting your masters and towing certificate.

If you get the opportunity to upgrade your masters within your first year. Take advantage of it. If guidelines are the same… All it takes is a 4 hour ride along on a large enough vessel, and you double your tonnage, up to 50 tons. (Your instructor should be able to line you up with a ride along)

I went through and did mine a couple years ago. I went the same route you did, good stuff to have.

Brian,
The Masters license is the first stepping stone, if one thought that they were going to pursue licencing for operation of large vessels, beyond guiding. Captains are needed in many circumstances besides just running giant vessels.
And yes you are correct that you would need to put in a set amount of time on a designated vessel and work your way through the ranks, for the larger vessels. For some its a a great opportunity to take the class at a good price while the material is relatively fresh from having taken 6-pak class.

Just bringing this info up to top again…

Do we really want Bk on the river pushing around 6-8 barges?? I’ve seen the damage at Evert’s. Not sure he should be allowed to control anything with that many HP.