I graduated from the Coast Guard Academy a few years ago, and was recently told that I could get my third mate’s license with no other work needed. I’m not sure that this is true, but just in case it is, does anyone know where I can find a reference for this information? Or has anyone else from CGA done this?
My application is currently at the NMC, and I don’t think that the person reviewing my file knows anything about dealing with CGA grads. She was quite confused and initially stated that my Academy time and OOD qualification didn’t get me anything, which I know is incorrect according to both 46 CFR 10.407 and MSM ch 10, vol iii and I’ve now worked that out with her. What I’m still unsure about is whether the wording in those regulations state that I still need to have 90 days of recency and if my OOD qualification/Nautical Science courses from CGA fulfill the training requirements or if I need to take additional courses.
Does anyone have any insight regarding this? I would like to be able to direct my examiner at the NMC where to look in the regulations or who she needs to speak with.
[QUOTE=tnorte;91335]I graduated from the Coast Guard Academy a few years ago, and was recently told that I could get my third mate’s license with no other work needed. I’m not sure that this is true, but just in case it is, does anyone know where I can find a reference for this information? Or has anyone else from CGA done this?
My application is currently at the NMC, and I don’t think that the person reviewing my file knows anything about dealing with CGA grads. She was quite confused and initially stated that my Academy time and OOD qualification didn’t get me anything, which I know is incorrect according to both 46 CFR 10.407 and MSM ch 10, vol iii and I’ve now worked that out with her. What I’m still unsure about is whether the wording in those regulations state that I still need to have 90 days of recency and if my OOD qualification/Nautical Science courses from CGA fulfill the training requirements or if I need to take additional courses.
Does anyone have any insight regarding this? I would like to be able to direct my examiner at the NMC where to look in the regulations or who she needs to speak with.
Thanks for your help![/QUOTE]
The USCGA is an “approved” program. You still have to test. However, you still have to have recency. If you do not have the recency since you got that job as an inspector or staff, you are screwed. Doing inspections and/or LEDET/Port State/MSST boardings do not count for seatime either. If you try and go TAD, the NMC will only count 40% of your seatime as they would if your time on a cutter if graduation was recent. That’s why you should test right after you graduate.
You will also need your GMDSS certificate and radar certificate and you will also need the ARPA class and ECDIS class if you are planning on going on vessels that are so equipped as well as a TWIC card. Recency will also help if you want anyone to take you seriously if you are planning on using it on a resume’ or plan on sailing with it.
Searches in ecfr.com on “approved programs” and “commanding officer”. That should guide you in the right direction.
How many hours did it take you to explain what the msm was?
BTW, what idiot told you “…third mate’s license with no other work needed.”? You can PM with that.