There are several folks out here that are jumping thru the hoops to get the unlimited license but in the mean time the Large OSV is a relatively simple process that gives one the opportunity to gain experience on bigger boats. No harm, no foul.
I have also found that several “old timers” have no interest in runnung deep sea or other vessels that require the unlimited tickets. In terms of ability/proficiency it is a small step for the OSV or Anchor Boat Captain that has been running a boat for 15-20+ years to step up to an OSV over 3000ITC. They are essentially doing the same job they have been for years, it is just on a bigger boat. Why should they be forced to spend countless hours, time and $$$ when there is another viable option?
For people that have been in the oilfield all their life, they would have to eventually work on an Unlimited Vessel (ie find another job possibly doing somthing they have no desire to do) in order to get the sea time they need to eventually get their Master’s Ticket.
No system is going to be perfect, we can find flaws in every beaurocracy large or small. Necessity is the mother of invention: To satisfy customer needs, boat companies were compelled to build bigger and bigger boats. Its the American way. Those same companies then had to deal with manning them and they figured out a solution and “jumped thru the hoops” to make the solution a reality. Have there been abuses, of course but I don’t think they are the norm. Find me a set of beaurocratic regulations without any loopholes. Is there a better solution? I don’t know, nor do I care enough about this particular issue to spend my time coming up with one.
Let me pose another question: If American boat companies didn’t build the bigger boats wouldn’t there be more foreign vessels in our waters now?
PS - how about the green 100 ton master that is running a 150+ foot vessel at 20+ knots thru the oil field.
In the big scheme of things, and in my opinion, I don’t see this as a problem or even a flaw. Those that have the license for a particular job will apply for it and hopefully the best man (Beaudreaux Thibideaux’s cousin) will get the job!