In-Person
Zoom Course
Self-Paced

Sea School’s (4) Day Western to Inland Rivers Route Conversion Course

Enroll today in Sea School’s four (4) day Western to Inland Rivers Route Route Conversion Course and satisfy the Navigation General and Map Navigation requirements to add an Inland Rivers route to a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) on Western Rivers or Master / Mate of Towing Vessels on Western Rivers.

Course Details
Course Duration: 32 Hours
Course Schedule: 4 Consecutive Days
USCG-Approved Certificate
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Course Overview
01

Mariners who currently hold a Western Rivers Towing License

They are required to operate on Inland Waters can enroll in the Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Course. This two-day course will provide instruction on navigation rules specific to Inland Waters, towing operations, and recommended best practices.

Locations

Bayou La Batre, AL

Location

,

Location

There are currently no offsite locations for this course. Please see our main locations!

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Course Data

Train from Anywhere with Sea School Courses – Learn at Your Own Pace

Train on your schedule with Sea School’s self-paced online courses. Designed for flexibility and convenience, our online programs allow you to complete key certifications and knowledge-based training from anywhere, at any time.

course type
In-Person
schedule
Course Schedule: 4 Consecutive Days
certification
USCG-Approved Certificate
Course Data

Call us today to get scheduled for our Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels bundle

Throughout this sixteen (16) day course, mariners will go through trainings for OUPV, Master 100 Ton upgrade, Master 200 Ton upgrade, Inland to Western Rivers and the Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels upgrade.

course type
In-Person
schedule
Course Schedule: 4 Consecutive Days
certification
USCG-Approved Certificate
All classes

Upcoming Zoom Trainings

Join our Captain’s License OUPV course from anywhere with our convenient Zoom sessions. Choose the dates that work best for your schedule and start your journey toward earning your license - without ever leaving home.

This Course Has Other Options for Learning

who is it for?

The Right Course for Every Seafarer

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key metrics

Why Thousands of Mariners Choose Sea School?

Each year, over 7,500 students choose Sea School for their maritime training. We offer 30+ USCG-approved courses across in-person, online, and satellite formats, with training available at 6 locations nationwide. Team training is also available on-site or via satellite to meet company needs.

7500
+
Fully educated students per year
30
+
Different courses to choose from
45
+
Years of proven experience
Trusted by Companies Nationwide
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Chicago Dry Dock Logo
Central Marine Logistics Logo
Crescent Towing logo
Dawn service logo
Central boat rentals logo
B logo
Martin marine logo
Ergon logo
Chicago Dry Dock Logo
Central Marine Logistics Logo
Crescent Towing logo
Dawn service logo
Central boat rentals logo
B logo
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COURSE CURRICULUM

We’ve developed comprehensive, engaging, and practical curriculum to set you up for success on the water

While the curriculum represented on the Sea School website is a general layout of course information, it is not the exact order in which lessons are taught.

Navigation General & Safety
  • Earth & Coordinates
  • Compass, Magnetic & Gyro
  • Nautical Charts
  • Publications
  • Electronic Navigation
  • Aids to Navigations
  • Weather
  • Tides & Currents
  • Communications/Signals
  • Receiving Survivors from Lifeboats/Rafts
  • Lifesaving Appliance Operation
  • Draft Marks & Load Times
Navigation General & Safety
  • Earth & Coordinates
  • Compass, Magnetic & Gyro
  • Nautical Charts
  • Publications
  • Electronic Navigation
  • Aids to Navigations
  • Weather
  • Tides & Currents
  • Communications/Signals
  • Receiving Survivors from Lifeboats/Rafts
  • Lifesaving Appliance Operation
  • Draft Marks & Load Times
COLREGS (Rules of the Road)
  • Rules of the Road
COLREGS (Rules of the Road)
  • Rules of the Road
Plotting
  • Chart Navigation
Plotting
  • Chart Navigation
our team

The Instructors Behind the Course

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view all Instructors
Our Process
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Captain:

A Simple 3-Step Process to Get Certified and Start Your Maritime Career

01

Choose Your Course

Pick the course that fits your experience level and sea time and select the available format that works for you (in-person, Zoom, or online).

02

Enroll & Prepare

Register online or at a Sea School location. Ensure you meet eligibility requirements and start reviewing the provided study materials.

03

Get Certified

After finishing the course, you will need to submit your application to the Coast Guard to receive your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

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Career opportunities

Advance your Maritime Career

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

Knowledgeable good instructors.

Instructors were good, reassuring and informative.

Kyle K.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Friendly office staff.

Instructors were very helpful.

Walter C.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Classroom is clean.

They provided everything we needed to learn the course. Instructor’s a great guy, super knowledgeable with great stories.

Jacob H.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Everyone was nice and very good to help with every problem that I had.

Aaron H.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Thank you.

Great job from everyone involved.

Jacob C.

Bayou La Batre, AL

The very best staff.

Will return for any future class needs. Instructor is a great man with a wealth of knowledge.

Gabriel C.

Bayou La Batre, AL

Staff are professional and extremely helpful.

Instructor is extremely knowledgeable and made the painful course easy for us.

Charles G.

Bayou La Batre, AL
Course comparison

Course Comparison

features
OUPV (6-Pack) License
Master License
Passenger Limit
Up to 6 passengers
More than 6 passengers
Vessel Type
Uninspected vessels only
Inspected & Uninspected vessels
Area of Operation
U.S. Waters
U.S. & International Waters
Sea Service Requirement
360 days (90 in last 3 years)
720+ days (varies by tonnage)
Required for
Fishing guides, small boat charters
Ferries, tour boats, larger charters
Course requirements

Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Requirements: Everything You Need to Get Certified

License

  • Must hold a valid Western Rivers Towing License

Sea Service

  • 90 days of sea service on Inland Waters within the last 3 years

Check All Drug Testing Requirements on Our Website!

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View Website
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frequently asked questions

All the answers you’ll need before enrolling in the Western to Inland course

What are Inland Waters?

Inland Waters means the navigable waters of the United States shoreward of the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the United States and the waters of the Great Lakes on the United States side of the International Boundary.

I already have a Western Rivers towing license. Do I need to start from scratch to get an Inland one?

No! Your Western Rivers Towing experience is valuable and has gotten you most of the way toward getting your Inland Waters Towing License. However, you’ll still have to meet the sea time requirements for Inland Waters and take an approved course like the one offered at Sea School.

Where can I find an approved Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels course?

The Sea School offers Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels courses at our Bayou La Batre, AL location. You can also find a list of approved courses on the NMC website under the “Approved Courses” tab.

What are the Requirements to add an Inland Waters Towing License to my Western Rivers License?
  • Sea Service: 90 days of sea service on Inland Waters within the last 3 years
  • License: Must hold a valid Western Rivers Towing License
What examinations will I likely have to take to add an Inland Towing Endorsement?
  • Rules of the Road: Inland and International
  • Navigation General: Great Lakes and Inland
  • Navigation Problems: Chart Plot
How long is an Inland Towing License valid for?

Inland Towing Licenses are valid for 5 years

Will adding an Inland endorsement affect my existing Western Rivers License?

So long as you maintain all endorsements and renewals, the Inland License will only help and expand your pre-existing Western Rivers license.

Will adding an Inland endorsement affect my existing Western Rivers License?

So long as you maintain all endorsements and renewals, the Inland License will only help and expand your pre-existing Western Rivers license.

Will adding an Inland endorsement affect my existing Western Rivers License?

So long as you maintain all endorsements and renewals, the Inland License will only help and expand your pre-existing Western Rivers license.

Will adding an Inland endorsement affect my existing Western Rivers License?

So long as you maintain all endorsements and renewals, the Inland License will only help and expand your pre-existing Western Rivers license.

Will adding an Inland endorsement affect my existing Western Rivers License?

So long as you maintain all endorsements and renewals, the Inland License will only help and expand your pre-existing Western Rivers license.

Is the Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Course Completion Certificate I Receive after Passing the Class my Official Endorsement?

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official Inland Waters Towing certification, mariners must:

  • Complete the necessary USCG application form.
  • Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official Inland Waters Towing certification.

Is the Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Course Completion Certificate I Receive after Passing the Class my Official Endorsement?

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official Inland Waters Towing certification, mariners must:

  • Complete the necessary USCG application form.
  • Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official Inland Waters Towing certification.

Is the Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Course Completion Certificate I Receive after Passing the Class my Official Endorsement?

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official Inland Waters Towing certification, mariners must:

  • Complete the necessary USCG application form.
  • Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official Inland Waters Towing certification.

Is the Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Course Completion Certificate I Receive after Passing the Class my Official Endorsement?

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official Inland Waters Towing certification, mariners must:

  • Complete the necessary USCG application form.
  • Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official Inland Waters Towing certification.

Is the Western to Inland River Routes for Towing Vessels Course Completion Certificate I Receive after Passing the Class my Official Endorsement?

No. Only the USCG can issue official documentation and certifications. To obtain an official Inland Waters Towing certification, mariners must:

  • Complete the necessary USCG application form.
  • Submit both the Sea School Course Completion Certificate and USCG application form to the USCG.

The USCG then processes the application and issues the official Inland Waters Towing certification.

It’s Time to Start Your Maritime Career!

Helping thousands of mariners every year, Sea School is a leader in the maritime education space. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to add onto your Merchant Mariner Credential, find the courses right for you at Sea School.

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