# 2nd mate to unlimited master **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [March 18, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658 "2023-03-18T16:03:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/roro/32/69721_2.png) [@Roro](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Roro)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/1 "2023-03-18T16:03:02Z")
Looking to upgrade from 2nd mate oceans. Thanks for all of the help ---
**Author:** ![Ea\_y\_Money](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@Ea\_y\_Money](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Ea_y_Money)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/2 "2023-03-18T16:26:32Z")
Yes, 9 of them to be exact. ---
**Author:** ![New3M](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/new3m/32/394_2.png) [@New3M](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/New3M)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/3 "2023-03-18T16:45:15Z")
To be honest it’s scary that you don’t know that and haven’t bothered to take the 3 minutes to find that out yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Roro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/roro/32/69721_2.png) [@Roro](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Roro)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/4 "2023-03-18T17:08:50Z")
I researched it prior to asking was just wondering if I missed something and was asking about other people’s experiences. As I thought this site was for that. Maybe one day I will be as smart as you and not need any advice. ---
**Author:** ![SeaScoundrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@SeaScoundrel](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaScoundrel)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/5 "2023-03-18T17:41:54Z")
It’s more the fact that holding the license you have, and presumably the level of responsibility you have at work, one would think you would have the skillset to figure this out. The tools to use are front and center on the NMC website. There are no short cuts, so don’t look for them. Take the CM courses and sit for the 9 tests. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/flyer69/32/6000_2.png) [@Flyer69](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Flyer69)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/6 "2023-03-18T22:16:05Z")
> [@SeaScoundrel](#): > > It’s more the fact that holding the license you have, and presumably the level of responsibility you have at work, one would think you would have the skillset to figure this out. This sums it all up in a nutshell. ---
**Author:** ![Roro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/roro/32/69721_2.png) [@Roro](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Roro)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/7 "2023-03-18T23:27:22Z")
Thanks for all of the help. I appreciate it ---
**Author:** ![samat3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@samat3](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/samat3)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 12:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/8 "2023-03-19T12:00:16Z")
> [@Flyer69](#): > > > [@SeaScoundrel](#): > > > > It’s more the fact that holding the license you have, and presumably the level of responsibility you have at work, one would think you would have the skillset to figure this out. > > This sums it all up in a nutshell. I second that comment. Unfortunately far too many people out there with a license, should never have been allowed to sit for the test. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/flyer69/32/6000_2.png) [@Flyer69](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Flyer69)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/9 "2023-03-19T13:29:16Z")
> [@SeaScoundrel](#): > > There are no short cuts, so don’t look for them. Well, aaaaaaactually there is a shortcut to go directly from 2M Unlimited to Master Unlimited. [CFR Definitions](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-A/section-10.107#p-10.107(Chief%20mate)) > 46 CFR 10.107 “Chief mate” > means the deck officer next in rank to the master and upon whom the command of the vessel will fall in the event of incapacity of the master. [Linky](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-11/subpart-D/section-11.404#p-11.404(a)(1)) ![Screen Shot 2023-03-19 at 9.27.06 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/6/b/6b5eec031c54409c1751214ed1a3af29dfef422c.png) ---
**Author:** ![SeaScoundrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@SeaScoundrel](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaScoundrel)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/10 "2023-03-19T13:30:33Z")
I don’t really see that as a shortcut. Still have to put in time as Chief Mate (or master), still gotta take the classes and tests. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/flyer69/32/6000_2.png) [@Flyer69](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Flyer69)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/11 "2023-03-19T13:34:57Z")
It cuts out a year of “360 days of service, while holding a license or endorsement as Chief Mate of Ocean or Near Coastal” Yes, you have to take the tests and the classes. But, if you don’t have to get 360 days of sea service while holding CM Unlimited, you are that much closer to the end goal. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/2nd-mate-to-unlimited-master/65658/12 "2023-03-21T01:25:36Z")
It’s interesting that they allow time as master to count now.