[QUOTE=Ea$y Money;42855]I think that I have found enough info to answer my own question. 1. I can get my 2nd by sailing as an OICNW while [I]holding[/I] a 3rd, not necessarily sailing as one… [/QUOTE]
See 46 CFR 11.406. While there are alternative ways to get 2nd Mate, they all require at least 6 months as OICNW or “officer in charge of a deck watch” while holding 3rd Mate.