Commercial towing, barge operations, and vessel assist work all require the USCG Towing Endorsement. Add it to your OUPV or Master with focused exam prep that covers every topic.
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Our prep covers the full towing endorsement exam — operations, equipment, TOAR procedures, and towing-specific rules of the road.
Add the Towing Endorsement to any base license. Bundle everything with Captain's Complete.
Add to OUPV or Master. All towing content unlocked.
OUPV + Master + Sailing + Towing. Save $494.
The USCG Towing Endorsement authorizes the holder to operate towing vessels commercially — hawser tows, push tows, wire tows, and vessel assist operations. Any captain operating a commercial towing vessel (harbor tug, offshore tug, river towboat, assist vessel) must hold the endorsement in addition to their base OUPV or Master license.
TOAR stands for Towing Officer Assessment Record. It is a standardized USCG document with 21 required towing evolutions that must be performed and signed off by a Qualified Towing Assessor (QTA). You need sufficient towing sea time and a completed TOAR — the TOAR is the practical component of the towing endorsement, separate from the written exam.
Yes, if you charge for the assist. BoatUS, Sea Tow, and commercial vessel assist operators all require the towing endorsement. A recreational boater may assist another vessel in distress without a credential, but charging for that service requires the endorsement.
Yes. The Towing Endorsement can be added to OUPV (Six-Pack) or any Master credential. The endorsement is added to your existing license — it is not a standalone credential.
The written exam content for towing covers barge operations, tow configurations, hawser and wire tow mechanics, TOAR procedures, and towing-specific COLREGS. Most students with practical towing experience are exam-ready in 2–4 weeks of focused study.
Yes. Our platform covers all written exam content: tow configurations, COLREGS Rule 24, barge operations, TOAR procedures, and safety. The TOAR itself is a practical assessment performed on the water — we prepare you for the knowledge components and help you understand what the assessor is evaluating.
Yes — and it is the best value. Captain's Complete ($797) includes OUPV, Master 100 GRT, Sailing Endorsement, and Towing Endorsement. All content unlocks immediately. You can focus on towing first, then work through other sections at your own pace.
Free guides relevant to towing captains — no account required.
Rule 24 towing lights, day shapes, and NUC/RAM lights for restricted maneuverability.
Rules of the Road with emphasis on towing vessel priorities and right of way.
Stability concepts applied to towing vessels and barge loading.
Seamanship fundamentals: lines, knots, and vessel handling.
Weather for offshore towing operations and passage planning.
OOW duties, watch handover, and bridge procedures for towing vessels.
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