[QUOTE=jdcavo;21593]Depends on if and when you sat for [B][U]Mate[/U][/B] 500/1600. If you took this test after 2/1/02, the test you took is the same as for 3rd Mate, and you would not have to test. If you took the test before 2/1/02, or have never taken it, you have not been tested in all of the subjects required by 46 CFR 11.910 (formerly 46 CFR 10.910) and must take the 3rd Mate exam.[/QUOTE]
I tested for mate 1600 in August 2003 with the assumption that to get 3rd mate I only needed seatime, but when I applied for 1600master/3rd mate last year was told I had to test again for 3rd mate.
to be honest the 3rd mate test I took last Sept had 70 question deck general/deck safety/nav general and a 15 question plotting(all more thorough and covering far more material) versus 50 and 10 for my 1600 mate in 2003, so to me they were obviously far different tests.
It’s over and done with so I’m not going to complain, especially considering how outstanding my experience has been with NMC otherwise(my new MMC was printed and shipped the same day the paperwork arrived from Boston) Just consider it another data point.