Go the Unlimited route. It will save you grief later on. You can work any size or type of vessel you want. I’m a hawsepiper with a lowly 6000 ton OSV ticket. Unlimited guys are running the same boats I am, and making more money. That is reason enough right there. If it was 30 years ago, and I had the foresight, Academy/Unlimited all the way! I could still go unlimited, but would have to go the 3rd Mate route and start from there. I’m getting too close to the end of my career for that! Get your degree, and go Unlimited.