The source of the issue with MSC seems to be that government bean counters are in charge who, with no knowledge of going to sea, think its exactly like shoreside work, and you should only get two or three weeks off a year, JUST LIKE any other working stiff on land. Makes perfect sense right?
This is the response I have been given from several different longtime MSC officers. Just anecdotal information but I could see the gears turning exactly in this fashion inside a gubment bean counter’s head.