Looking to start out on the lakes up north

[GLMASailor]

@"lm1883"

Right, but is the open waters thing an actual endorsement, or is it the understanding he can stand a watch in undesignated waters without pilotage?

Yep it’s just a title given to the mates that come onboard that don’t have pilotage. No endorsement is required. Just an unlimited tonnage mates license for one of the following: Great Lakes, Near Coastal, or Oceans.