For boats seeking a Masters license, what is the minimum bridge time required?

For boats seeking a Masters license, what is the minimum bridge time required?

• A. Min 20 hours
• B. Min 60 hours bridge time in vessel's log book
• C. Min 120 hours
• D. Min 6 hours

Answer: (B)

Bridge time is real hands-on experience on the vessel’s bridge, performing navigation and watchkeeping duties under supervision. For a Masters license, you must have accumulated at least sixty hours of bridge time documented in the vessel’s logbook. This requirement ensures you’ve demonstrated real-time navigational decision-making and helm duties at sea, not just theoretical knowledge. The hours should be logged with dates, vessel name, hours on watch, and your role (e.g., navigator or watchstander); time spent off the bridge doesn’t count. Sixty hours is the minimum threshold — fewer hours wouldn’t meet the requirement, while more than sixty hours is acceptable but not required by the rule.

Bridge time is real hands-on experience on the vessel’s bridge, performing navigation and watchkeeping duties under supervision. For a Masters license, you must have accumulated at least sixty hours of bridge time documented in the vessel’s logbook. This requirement ensures you’ve demonstrated real-time navigational decision-making and helm duties at sea, not just theoretical knowledge. The hours should be logged with dates, vessel name, hours on watch, and your role (e.g., navigator or watchstander); time spent off the bridge doesn’t count. Sixty hours is the minimum threshold — fewer hours wouldn’t meet the requirement, while more than sixty hours is acceptable but not required by the rule.