# A New Third Mate AGT **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [November 21, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777 "2009-11-21T03:13:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stevefoster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@stevefoster](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/stevefoster)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/1 "2009-11-21T03:13:20Z")
[B]I have finally passed the exam for Third/Second Mate AGT. It’s taken ten months from the first time I registered at L.E. Fletcher in Houma till the day I passed which was yesterday. I was ready in May but had to wait for Coast Guard approval to test. THAT WAS A LONG ROW TO HOE… I finally got approval in October and then had to review and cram prior to taking the exam because I didn’t stay current in my studies believing that all hope was lost due to the circumstances with the CG. The lesson I learned from the trials and tribulations of fighting with the CG is [HOLD FAST](https://shop.gcaptain.com/products/hold-fast-shirt) and STAY THE COURSE…and contact your Congressman. [/B] [B]I thank those of you who contributed to my cause…you know who you are, anchorman, Capt Fran, Capt Wyrick, Capt Leigh, dougpine, Jeffrox, Capt. Lee, 10talents,and many others.[/B] [B]To those coming up, these are the experts that you need at your back…Thanks also the gCaptain for OUR forum.[/B] [B]Steve Foster[/B] ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Nemo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Capt\_Nemo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/2 "2009-11-21T05:12:24Z")
Congratulations! Hard work usually pays off, and yours obviously did. It must feel good to get this done. Keep getting up. Nemo ---
**Author:** ![Shellback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Shellback](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Shellback)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 5:19am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/3 "2009-11-21T05:19:47Z")
Bravo Zulu Steve…Nice job… ---
**Author:** ![mtskier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b77776/32.png) [@mtskier](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/mtskier)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 6:00am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/4 "2009-11-21T06:00:04Z")
S, Congat’s!!! It’s a great feeling to pass the exams, isn’t it! Now keep on your evaluator in order to get a correctly issued license - It never really ends does it! Again - congrat’s! MTSKIER ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Capt\_Lee](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Lee)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 9:30am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/5 "2009-11-21T09:30:31Z")
Great Job Steve, I hope I can say the same thing next week. I start testing Monday. Once again, great job! ---
**Author:** ![dougpine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dougpine/32/7653_2.png) [@dougpine](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dougpine)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 9:38am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/6 "2009-11-21T09:38:30Z")
Way to go, Steve! Perseverance has its rewards. ---
**Author:** ![10talents](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9f8e36/32.png) [@10talents](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/10talents)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/7 "2009-11-21T15:33:28Z")
Congratulations Steve. That is really good news. ---
**Author:** ![skycowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@skycowboy](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/skycowboy)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/8 "2009-11-21T21:54:34Z")
No hill for a climber Steve . You do the family proud . Save your study material for me, I might need it in 30 years . ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Fran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Capt\_Fran](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Fran)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 6:17am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/9 "2009-11-22T06:17:37Z")
Steve, that is just awesome! Congratulations!! So glad to see a happy ending to your saga. You did us all proud! ---
**Author:** ![rjbpilot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@rjbpilot](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rjbpilot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/10 "2009-11-22T07:21:40Z")
As mtskier would say: YAAAAAHHHOOOOOOOooooooo!!! And yes; make sure that everything is on your credential! Now the real challenging task is at hand…finding the job!!! Good Luck Steve! ---
**Author:** ![abergeron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7c8e57/32.png) [@abergeron](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/abergeron)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:32am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/11 "2009-11-22T07:32:05Z")
Nice job I know how stressful it can be in that exam room. However, I can’t wish you too much luck as I think we will be applying for the same jobs as they open.😃 ---
**Author:** ![anchorman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbce88/32.png) [@anchorman](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/anchorman)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:48am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/a-new-third-mate-agt/2777/12 "2009-11-22T07:48:37Z")
Great job on your part. Can’t say the same for NMC. Too bad you had to fight your way through to the end. It should not be that way. Looks like the new regs will change all of that with the grandfather clause and make 1600 ton Masters as Management Level. Hopefully, the ensuing NMC policy will clarify these career paths.