[QUOTE=spidersonboats;55795]Ya, I already have a bachelors in mechanical engineering.[/QUOTE]
If your degree is from an ABET accredited university, go sail as a wiper for 180 days, spend a few months prepping for and then submit to test for 3rd Assitant Engineer. Not sure if your stuck on being a deck officer but engineers make some damn good money and seems there is always jobs posted.
here is the checklist for 3rd A/E