Understanding the Towing Endorsement: Commercial Assistance Towing for Licensed Captains
What is a general overview of the Towing Endorsement?
The Towing Endorsement may be issued to those who hold a Six-Pack or Master's license and would like to engage in assisting vessels for a fee. To "commercially assist" other vessels that may be aground, disabled, out of fuel, or experiencing some other malfunction requires an endorsement for Commercial Assistance Towing.
What would I use my Towing Endorsement for?
You can use your Towing Endorsement for commercial assistance towing. This would be a "Towing for Hire," such as the activities of a TowBoat U.S. operator towing a disabled vessel to its homeport.
Where can the Towing Endorsement be issued?
The Assistance Towing Endorsement is attached to your existing OUPV/Six-Pack or Master's level license and will take on those areas of operation.
Can I get a Towing Endorsement if I were to operate a tugboat?
The USCG Towing Endorsement is NOT a "towing" license for the operation of a tugboat. You will need to call the Coast Guard at 888-427-5662 for directions on that license.