[QUOTE=MariaW;61365]It’s interesting to me that you only need 3 months if you’ve got a smaller master’s license to upgrade. I wonder if it’s faster to get a Master 100 and then upgrade to bigger vessels, or get unlicensed time on big vessels and go through 3rd, 2nd, Chief Mate, etc. I wish the Coast Guard had a sea time calculator that would let you try different alternatives![/QUOTE]
Not a smaller master’s license, an Inland Master 200grt. That loop hole only allows someone to go from master on inland vessels to Near Coastal, since the regs for Mate NC require you to have time sailing NC or Oceans. If you have a Master 200 Inland and all your time is inland you can cross over to Mate Near Coastal.
If you want to be Master unlimited the fastest way is to work on unlimited vessels. Upgrading to 3rd Mate from a Master 1600grt is VERY difficult. If your goal is to go unlimited before you start then you should go to work on ships for three years and get your 3M.