I heard a lot of rumors lately:
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Upgrading a license with OSV seatime after 2017 will limit a mariner to only OSV upgrades… I would rather not limit myself to the oil field.
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If running in capacity of Chief Mate on an OSV over 1,600 / 3,000 itc, a mariner can bypass everything and test for master unlimited with 360 days of seatime and assessments. I highly doubt this is the case and even if so, I imagine its only for OSV’s. [I]Answered below and it is yes[/I]
My questions:
What are some important steps to take for license endorsements / upgrades before 2017?
Does it make sense to complete the master / chief mate assessments before 2017 even if I am years away from testing for Chief Mate? I currently hold the following: [I]Answered below[/I]
Master 1,600 oceans (Tested 2009)
Master 10,000 OSV (Endorsed March 2015)
Never had a mates license or taken mates exam
Started working OSV’s larger than 1,600grt June 2014
Some issues were discussed here: http://gcaptain.com/forum/professional-mariner-forum/14571-chief-mate-master-assesments-3.html
Here is the NMC checklist: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/pdfs/mcp_fm_nmc5_60_web.pdf?list2=%2Fnmc%2Fchecklists%2Fpdfs%2Fmcp_fm_nmc5_60_web.pdf&B1=GO!
Not sure which assessments to take:
Old assessments PL 04-02: https://www.uscg.mil/nmc/regulations/policy/04-02.pdf
New Assessments NVIC 10-14: https://www.uscg.mil/nmc/regulations/NVIC/NVIC_2014/nvic_10-14_master_and_chief_mate_3000_gt_or_more-encl-2.pdf
Any information or links is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Deviated
Answered by Z-Drive via this very informative link: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/faq/pdfs/STCW_complete_faq.pdf
36.(ADDED 05/27/15) Do assessments expire? Is there a time limit from when the assessments sign off begin to when they have to be complete or apply to take the upgrade exam?
There is no time limit or expiration on shipboard assessments. However, if assessments have changed, the applicant would be required to meet the new assessments unless otherwise grandfathered. The Coast Guard will accept assessments from the outdated policy up to 6 months following their revision.
23.(ADDED 05/27/15) Can someone who is starting their assessments now use Policy Letter 04-02 as long as the assessments are completed by December 31, 2016?
Yes. Enclosure (4) of NVIC 10-14 describes how a combination of assessments from that NVIC and the former policy letter may be used until December 31, 2016. Similar provisions are also contained in NVICs for other credentials. The Coast Guard will continue to accept assessments from the outdated policy completed before December 31, 2016 until June 30, 2017.
STCW Frequently Asked Questions: OSV Endorsements
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For Officer endorsements for Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs). The text of 46 CFR 11.493 master (OSV) says that at least one-half of the required experience must be served as chief mate. The FR defines chief mate as the deck officer next in rank to the master and upon whom the command of the vessel will fall in the event of incapacity of the master. On nearly all OSVs there is no requirement for an officer to hold a national endorsement as chief mate on the Certificate of Inspection due to the two-watch system in effect, yet the person serving as mate meets the definition of chief mate stated above. Yet in multiple locations in the preamble the text says, “Where the mariner holds a management-level credential, and fills the position as mate, and the position meets the definition of chief mate found in 10.107, then that service will be credited as chief mate.” The preamble view would make achievement of master (OSV) not possible by a person holding and serving as mate (OSV). Please confirm that a mate (OSV) serving on a vessel where the only required deck officers are a master and a mate will be given chief mate service credit despite text in the preamble that attempts to override the chief mate definition in the FR text?
For Officer endorsements for Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs). “Chief Mate” is defined in 46 CFR 10.107 as “the deck officer next in rank to the master and upon whom the command of the vessel will fall in the event of incapacity of the master.” In the event that a vessel’s Certificate of Inspection does not require that a licensed chief mate be assigned, service credit will be granted to the officer onboard who serves the chief mate’s function. In regard to the STCW endorsement, the mariner must also meet the requirements for master as identified in the regulations (46 CFR 11.305 or 11.311 as applicable). -
I currently hold a Master OSV 6,000ITC endorsement,have been working under authority of that license as chief mate on an OSV of over 4,000 GT for well over 360 days, and have completed all of the master’s assessments. It appears that, under this final rule, I may be able to test directly for a master unlimited endorsement and bypass the chief mate endorsement. I want to be sure that that is the case so I can make application immediately.
Yes, you may use documented service as chief mate towards the master unlimited endorsement. You may receive a tonnage limitation based upon the service that you submit. (In this case, the mariner would not receive a limitation since all service is over 3,000 GT.)
Additional info:
6,000 ton Masters can sign off the assessments: "From NVIC 10-14: “the Coast Guard will accept assessments signed by mariners who hold an appropriate national endorsement and have at least 1 year of experience as Master or Chief Mate on seagoing vessels of at least 1,600 GRT and/or 3,000 GT…”