Operational Steam Tugboat Question

Hello All,

I'm a World War I US Navy living historian that portrays a chief petty officer. I'm hoping to clear up some questions and hopefully there are either USCG or experienced crewmen out there that may be able to know the answers to these questions I am about to ask.

Myself and living history crew are hoping to obtain a period civilian tugboat from the World War I era or prior. The US Navy during World War I actually commissioned civilian steam tugs for use in naval ports and harbors, especially pulling coal barges. So far we've come across a 78 foot tugboat that is wooden hulled and contains a majority of it's early 20th century interior right down to the skeleton key used to open the door to the head. She was built around 1890 and was converted to diesel around 1922 from her original steam propulsion. Current motor in it is a pre-WWII Atlas Imperial diesel. Plan would be to convert the boat back to steam power. I have been able to find a period compound steam engine built in 1893. I've also been in contact with a company that would be interested in the manufacture of the new twin furnace Scotch marine boiler. Max operating pressure would be around 500 psi.

Originally she had a forward mast in front of the pilothouse which is obvious with the off-centered stairs from the superstructure to the main deck. So hopes of adding the missing forward and stern masts would be one of the plans along with the rigging and canvas sails. Yes, early 20th century steam vessels still had sails particularly to get extra range due to the lack of ports that were able to supply coal used to fire the boilers. One famous US Navy steam tug that still had auxiliary sail power was the USS Conestoga which disappeared without a trace in 1921. The tugboat was rediscovered nearly 95 years later off the coast of San Francisco.

One of the planned details added to the forecastle would be a replica of Maxim-Nordenfelt 37mm 'Pom-Pom' in 20mm and a blank fire only semi-automatic since the rate of fire of originals is slow enough to imitate in each individual pull of the trigger. A manufacturer has also been contacted about this project too since I know 8mm semi-auto Maxim or Vickers are being reproduced for reenactors to use at living history events.

Plans would be to use this vessel under steam power for living history purposes of the crew I'm partly in charge of. I'd like to make sure that guidelines are followed with the USCG since it's a rather larger craft over 65 feet and plans would be to sail it to various sites, such as maritime museums and sea cadet summer camps, to teach part of the history of the US Navy during World War I all while dressed in period uniforms issued during that period between 1914 and 1919.

With all this said my main question is if the crew of up to a maximum of 9 run this vessel would this require a captain's license especially since technically it's not being used as a charter craft and strictly for living history purposes. I haven't seen really any answers related to steam vessels especially ones converted back to steam from diesel.

Hopefully somebody has some answers. Thank you in advance!