[QUOTE=kevin.osullivan;56091]I got my 3rd Mate when I graduated from Mass Maritime Academy. Ive have about 500 sea days on 100 ton vessels with 100 days as master. i didnt know if any of that would help me upgrade[/QUOTE]
Your time at the academy doesn’t count. That you have a 'License greater than 200 tons" (EG 3rd unlimited) lets you do the TOAR and 30 day thing. Once you slip in to the MOTV license that way, here is the next step.
The short answer is: Yes. That time will help.
This is a loophole I didn’t know existed! You can qualify under (b.) Once you do the TOAR submittal, and have that license in hand, [U][I][B]and [/B][/I][/U]get one year (360 days) as master or mate of a towing vessel, you can do a “limited exam” (whatever that consists of!?) and get a 500 ton NC/or Ocean if you want to do celestial over again.
How recently did you get your license?
Here is the actual 500 ton CFR cite: 10.418 - Service requirements for master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons.
The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for a license as master of ocean or near coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons is:
(a) Three years total service on ocean or near coastal waters. Service on Great Lakes and inland waters may substitute for up to 18 months of the required service. Two years of the required service must have been as a master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position while holding a license as master, mate, or operator of uninspected passenger vessels. One year of the required service as master, mate, or equivalent supervisory position must have been on vessels of over 50 gross tons.
(b) The holder of a license as master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels authorizing service on oceans or near-coastal routes is eligible for a license as master of ocean or near-coastal steam or motor vessels of not more than 500 gross tons after both 1 year of service as master or mate of towing vessels on oceans or near-coastal routes and completion of a limited examination.