How do I upgrade my USCG License from 25 GRT to 50 GRT?

To go from Master 25 GRT to Master 50 GRT you need to have 90 days on any size boat, on any waters as long as you are helping with the safe navigation of the vessel. This means that you can upgrade your USCG license to 50 GRT when you have 90 days of sea service while holding your 25 ton license on any boat on any waters as long as you are helping with the safe navigation of the vessel.

If you hold a 25 GRT Captains License, MM-SEAS automatically includes it as an increase in scope when someone is qualified using just your sea time!

If you were a wiper (lowest position in the engine department) or the Steward on a vessel you could not increase in scope with that time.

After I receive my upgrade to 50 GRT can I submit another application to upgrade to a 100 GRT after I have 90 day of sea time?

Yes, it's as simple as that! You submit another full application with 90 days of sea service in the deck department on vessels between 0 and 50 GRT while holding your new license.

I am currently running boats on both inland and near coastal waters. Can the 50 GT for inland be added to my Near Coastal Waters license?

Think of the routes like a hierarchy. Inland is the lowest so every license with a route above it is automatically qualified for Inland Waters. Near Coastal is the next up followed by Oceans.

Great Lakes and Western Rivers are each a separate route that you add on to the main three.

Can USCG License applications be expedited?

There is no way to expedite the USCG processing your MMC at the National Maritime Center.

We're seeing an average of about 3-5 weeks for renewals as long as the paperwork is perfect. The fastest we've seen this year was 8 days from submission to the USCG REC to being in someone's hands.

You can avoid unnecessary delays by submitting a perfect application. Any issues or problems such as missing signatures, modifying the application half way through or the incorrect CPR certificate are causing delays for folks up to and over 90 days!

We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!‍

MM-SEAS is free to use on your own and if you need some more personalized help you can upgrade to MM-SEAS Pro inside of the site.

No matter what, when you are ready to submit your application, you can choose to have the MM-SEAS staff create a perfect application, handle the USCG application fees and work with the USCG on your behalf to resolve any issues for a flat fee of $299 or you can choose to submit on your own.

Pro MM-SEAS members get access to unlimited live 1 on 1 calls with one of our USCG Licensing Specialists. We've found that answering questions live with screen sharing in a video call makes both of our lives easier. Pro MM-SEAS members can access these features inside of MM-SEAS under License Guidance.