Public Vessel Operators License
Containing 640 Questions and Answers/
A+ Score Solutions/ 2024-2025
What a PVO must do for - a vessel inspection - Answer: Annual. Contact Marine
Service Bureau, fill out app and attach registration/capacity plate. Owner arranges
time date and location.
Public Vessel - Answer: Propelled by mechanical power and used for commercial
purposes on navigable waters which is performing a service that receives
compensation
Direct Compensation - Answer: A person has paid you money for a ride on your
boat
1|Page
,Indirect Compensation - Answer: A person has paid you a sum of money and a
related service is a boat/ operator. Ex: fishing guide, camps, motels, educational
institution
What a PVO must do for - deficiencies and failures - Answer: Identical deficiencies
require immediate failure. All listed deficiencies must be corrected prior to placing
vessel in service before the next time passengers are taken out.
PVO inspection - Answer: Receive a copy of inspection report noting all
deficiencies and how to correct them. Mail a signed, notarized letter to MR&V
once corrected. Schedule another inspection or issue CofI.
Posting - Answer: Not require for vessel under 10 tons but always required
onboard
What a PVO must do for - modification to PV - Answer: Send in letter saying they
are corrected and potentially have a second inspection.
Licensing requirements for - original license - Answer: Complete and sign
application form. ACEE info. Valid photo ID and proof of age. Evidence of boat
safety course. 30 hours of experience operation motorboats. Written exam
Licensing requirements for - renewal license - Answer: Renee annually have until
August 1st of following year. Reexamination not required but some short open
book exam given every 5 years for updates. Re-examine if after time frame
2|Page
,Licensing requirements for - suspension license - Answer: Revoke by inspector by
Article 4 for proof of recklessness, carelessness, intemperance, incompetence,
dereliction of duty, or willful disobedience of law. Must hand over license $100
fine for every day following refusal to give up license
Joint P&E - Answer: 18 years, boat safety course, written exam, not usually req
practical exam, 30 hours experience with motor boat operations. For smaller
vessels
Engineer - Answer: Larger vessels with engine space that need tending
determined by steam propulsion, propulsion not entirely controlled by pilot
house, or by discretion. 21 years of age, boat safety, general question written
exam, practical exam operation and explaining the engineering systems, one
season in engine room under licensed engineer supervision and 2 months if
candidate is a licensed stationary engineer.
Apprentice - Answer: First step to master. Min 30 trips in logbook as deckhand on
cease he wants a license on with same knowledge demonstration as JPE. Must get
this before masters. Age 21, boat safety course, written exam unless already JPE,
practical exam under discretion. 1 year as JPE or season
Masters - Answer: For boats over 65 feet, 50 ton displacement, 65 passengers.
Age 21, boat safety course, written exam at inspectors discretion, practical exam
3|Page
, under inspectors observation, served as apprentice master under supervision of
licensed master for
Min 60 hours bridge time in vessels log book.
What a PVO must do for - boat repairs - Answer: Contact M&RV to provide info on
nature and extent of repairs. If alternating hull or propulsion must report to
inspector. Failure to do so may void the vessels CofI and delay operation.
Naval Arcitect - Answer: Structural modification requires architect to look at it to
re-certify stability. Intervals of 10 years, vessels with more than 20 passengers
hauled in for hull inspection. Over 65 passengers, survey by naval architect.
What boats need to be registered? - Answer: Every mechanically propelled vessel
operated primarily on the navigable waters of state or within boundaries must be
registered under article 48
Mechanically propelled vessel - Answer: Equipped with motor regardless of
wether the motor if the primary means of propulsion
Crew - Answer: One for each deck and one for every additional 50 passengers
over 100
Passengers - Answer: Determined by inspector and by rail length, deck area, and
fixed seating
4|Page
Containing 640 Questions and Answers/
A+ Score Solutions/ 2024-2025
What a PVO must do for - a vessel inspection - Answer: Annual. Contact Marine
Service Bureau, fill out app and attach registration/capacity plate. Owner arranges
time date and location.
Public Vessel - Answer: Propelled by mechanical power and used for commercial
purposes on navigable waters which is performing a service that receives
compensation
Direct Compensation - Answer: A person has paid you money for a ride on your
boat
1|Page
,Indirect Compensation - Answer: A person has paid you a sum of money and a
related service is a boat/ operator. Ex: fishing guide, camps, motels, educational
institution
What a PVO must do for - deficiencies and failures - Answer: Identical deficiencies
require immediate failure. All listed deficiencies must be corrected prior to placing
vessel in service before the next time passengers are taken out.
PVO inspection - Answer: Receive a copy of inspection report noting all
deficiencies and how to correct them. Mail a signed, notarized letter to MR&V
once corrected. Schedule another inspection or issue CofI.
Posting - Answer: Not require for vessel under 10 tons but always required
onboard
What a PVO must do for - modification to PV - Answer: Send in letter saying they
are corrected and potentially have a second inspection.
Licensing requirements for - original license - Answer: Complete and sign
application form. ACEE info. Valid photo ID and proof of age. Evidence of boat
safety course. 30 hours of experience operation motorboats. Written exam
Licensing requirements for - renewal license - Answer: Renee annually have until
August 1st of following year. Reexamination not required but some short open
book exam given every 5 years for updates. Re-examine if after time frame
2|Page
,Licensing requirements for - suspension license - Answer: Revoke by inspector by
Article 4 for proof of recklessness, carelessness, intemperance, incompetence,
dereliction of duty, or willful disobedience of law. Must hand over license $100
fine for every day following refusal to give up license
Joint P&E - Answer: 18 years, boat safety course, written exam, not usually req
practical exam, 30 hours experience with motor boat operations. For smaller
vessels
Engineer - Answer: Larger vessels with engine space that need tending
determined by steam propulsion, propulsion not entirely controlled by pilot
house, or by discretion. 21 years of age, boat safety, general question written
exam, practical exam operation and explaining the engineering systems, one
season in engine room under licensed engineer supervision and 2 months if
candidate is a licensed stationary engineer.
Apprentice - Answer: First step to master. Min 30 trips in logbook as deckhand on
cease he wants a license on with same knowledge demonstration as JPE. Must get
this before masters. Age 21, boat safety course, written exam unless already JPE,
practical exam under discretion. 1 year as JPE or season
Masters - Answer: For boats over 65 feet, 50 ton displacement, 65 passengers.
Age 21, boat safety course, written exam at inspectors discretion, practical exam
3|Page
, under inspectors observation, served as apprentice master under supervision of
licensed master for
Min 60 hours bridge time in vessels log book.
What a PVO must do for - boat repairs - Answer: Contact M&RV to provide info on
nature and extent of repairs. If alternating hull or propulsion must report to
inspector. Failure to do so may void the vessels CofI and delay operation.
Naval Arcitect - Answer: Structural modification requires architect to look at it to
re-certify stability. Intervals of 10 years, vessels with more than 20 passengers
hauled in for hull inspection. Over 65 passengers, survey by naval architect.
What boats need to be registered? - Answer: Every mechanically propelled vessel
operated primarily on the navigable waters of state or within boundaries must be
registered under article 48
Mechanically propelled vessel - Answer: Equipped with motor regardless of
wether the motor if the primary means of propulsion
Crew - Answer: One for each deck and one for every additional 50 passengers
over 100
Passengers - Answer: Determined by inspector and by rail length, deck area, and
fixed seating
4|Page
