Hello. I currently hold a QMED Oiler rating, and am getting my sea time letter together to send to the CG to test for my DDE 4000 at the REC. I have been sailing for several years as the Chief on a private company owned un-inspected 70’ research vessel. I was looking at different license checklists the other day, and read on the 100 Ton Inland masters checklist that sea time from any department can be used for this license. Am I correct in thinking this means I can use my engine room time to get the Inland license, and it wont count against the days for my DDE? If so, does anyone have any opinions if having a 100 Ton Inland in addition to a DDE would ever be of any benefit for me down the line?
What I do know is nowadays a DDE is worth a lot more than a 100 ton license, especially an inland license. You can use some deck time towards an engine license, and some engine time towards a deck license. For example for the DDEs, a quarter of the total time can be deck time or 180 days-whichever is less…Pretty sure you can’t use the same time twice though. If you have to pick one or the other, i’d definately care about getting the DDE first if you want more money and opportunity.
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Engineering is where I make my money, and why I am working on my DDE. For every other license I have looked at besides the 100 ton Inland, you are right that you need deck time for deck license and engine time for an engine license, with exceptions like you noted for 25%. From what I have seen, the Inland only 100 ton is unique in that it says " 360 days in service, in any position " under qualifying sea time. So 360 days as a QMED would get you your sea time. I’m just wondering if there would ever be a benefit to having it. I wouldn’t think so if working deep sea or off shore. But working on the small inland and near shore vessels I have been on, I am starting to think it might.
The future is uncertain. There may be some niche job that a 100ton license, in addition to your DDE, would set you up for.
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I understand your question now. If you can get it without much effort, might as well. Maybe @jdcavo can help with your question about the sea time.
Every piece of paper is valuable these days and will probably gain value in the future.
Years ago when I held a 1st assistant ticket and a 100 ton master sailing off the board I was looking for a relief engineer job on superyachts. After walking the docks at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show I didn’t get an engineer job but left as the captain of a 32 meter yacht whose owner needed a master with engineering experience. That 100 ton ticket was definitely a benefit.
I would get it.
Engineering + 100 ton is a good combo for delivery jobs you might want one day and who knows what else?