Hi,
I currently work at a marina in Fort Lauderdale. For about 10 hours a day in a 40 hour work week, i valet, navigate and handle vessels ranging from 28ft to 52ft on the inter-coastal waterway, primarily solo. A yacht captain friend told me I can document the time on the water I accrued and the manager of the marina is able to sign off on these hours. Its a 125 slip dry stack, so getting the owners from over the years to sign off wouldn’t be feasible.
I also have sea time from my years in yachting. I’m going for my 100 ton, more or less just to have it.
So my primary question, “Is the manager of the marina able to sign off on the hours I have accrued over the years of my employment?”
Recommend that you spend time reviewing NMC Crediting Sea Service FAQ especially Page 3.
It lays out possible options.
Note the instruction on a sea letter documented the various vessels you have served on or review the requirements for filling out CG 719S Form which requires a separate form for each vessel and as you were not the owner you will need the signature of an individual(s) as per the FAQ.
Then look at CG-719S form. Also document your sea time as per the NMC Checklist for 100 ton Inland or Near Coastal. Consider recency. Spend sometime on the details involved.
Others should provide their guidance but this is a start.
This may get some interesting responses. I know of people that live on their boat basically claiming 24/7/365 sea time no matter if they never leave the slip, so there is that.
How much of your day is on a boat underway vs. doing other tasks at the marina?
I had a job running a tow boat when I was 16 solo and I got the same “sea time” as a buddy serving beer and soda on the harbor tour boat, that used to piss me off way back in the day.
The USCG passes out plenty of licenses to people with very questionable small vessel seatime. You can find away to get credit from the NMC for your “seatime.”
46 CFR 10.107
On vessels of less than 100 GRT, a day is considered as 8 hours unless the Coast Guard determines that the vessel’s operating schedule makes this criteria inappropriate; in no case will this period be less than 4 hours.
No worries. I got into the weeds with this when I taught some six-pack classes as a side gig. Lots of bubbas who thought their time sitting in a buddy’s skiff with a fishing rod in hand counted as sea days were disappointed to learn otherwise.
