Hey…you must have heard my voice on the radio. lol[QUOTE=anchorman;52504]100 ton Captain weather 101, Channel 13 broadcast…“Can someone tell me what it looks like at the jetties?”[/QUOTE]
So you cannot get any Ch. Mate time from any of the AHTS’s either? [QUOTE=anchorman;52557]Just remember guys and gals…you cannot get chief mate time on an osv…and more than likely cannot get 12hr days on whatever vessel you must get on to get that time.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Power Play;52518]Now the USCG has just realized that the people who took the OSV, 500 mate or 3rd were all taking the same test …
… why not create a test for a 1600 master to cross to third without having to do all seven?[/QUOTE]
I think we probably realized that in 2002 when we made the tests the same…
The angst is likely the result of a perceived change. The old policy letter said you would not test for 3rd Mate if you had tested for a 500/1600 ton license after 2/1/02. The new policy letter modifies that to specify mate 500/1600 before 2/1/02. The reason for the policy is unchanged, that if you tested for everything ther CRFR requires for 3rd Mate, you would not nbeed to take the 3rd Mate exam. The problem arose because of incomplete policy implementation circa 2002. When 01-02 was published, it was planned that there would be a similar policy letter for Master 500/1600 that would require applicants for STCW certification at this level to first meet all requirements for OICNW/Mate 500/1600. But a court decision at about the same time imposed very tight prohibitions on “regulating by policy”, and that Master 500/1600 policy was never published (this is why there are no assessments for Master 500/1600). The new OICNW policy revises the testing provisions to accomplish the original intent and to remain in compliance with the 3rd Mate testing requirements in 46 CFR 11.910.
The suggestion of a “partial” exam is a fair question. Why there is not one now is largely because until very recently, it was extremely rare for a Master 1600 to apply for 3rd Mate. There has been a gigantic increase in these applications in the last few years, due (in part) to the increased tonnage and dual-inspection status of many newer OSVs.
[QUOTE=anchorman;52556]The assessor can be a 2nd, but it can be a 1600 ton Master as well. If you are going through a 6,000 ton program, stick with it. A 3rd Mate or a 2nd Mate or a Chief Mate is a Mate and can only hold a Mate position on a OSV. There are a lot of 2nd Mate/1600 ton Masters with 6,000 ton OSV endorsements because that endorsement is needed for a Master position. Absolutely nothing has changed as far as what you need, or the career path to get there. Obviously, an unlimited master is the ultimate goal, but that will take a lot more time, money, and you cannot even get the Chief Mate time on an OSV to upgrade to Master.[/QUOTE]
A mate 500/1600 with at least one year experience can assess. The standard was originally created with a large vessel, unlimited tonnage bias (dougpine, you did not jsut read me saying that…). The revised standard allows the asserssments to be done by someone with comparable qualifications to a 2nd Mate on vessels between 500 and 1600 GRT, and on military vesse4ls – a 2nd Mate has one year experience as OICNW.
As my friend Capt_Anonymous has said: “It ain’t the tonnage what makes the man; it’s the bollard pull, baby.”
So how did you and others here get your master unlimited? Have the rules changed or did you go on some other vessel?
[QUOTE][B] When 01-02 was published, it was planned that there would be a similar policy letter for Master 500/1600 that would require applicants for STCW certification at this level to first meet all requirements for OICNW/Mate 500/1600. But a court decision at about the same time imposed very tight prohibitions on “regulating by policy”, and that Master 500/1600 policy was never published (this is why there are no assessments for Master 500/1600).[/B]
Capt visa see above…Thanks to jdcavo, you have solved a weeklong overly discussed debate onboard…
Additionally…What is the difference between “real seatime” and seatime? Anyone?
One more thing…What is the status of the PRM that displayed the new license structure showing that a 3rd Mate with 3 yrs seatime as OICNW could upgrade to Master Unlimited with the 8 courses, tests, tonnage, and assessments? I read about it a year ago or more and have yet to hear any buzz about when that might come along? Any help there?
[QUOTE=jdcavo;52568]A mate 500/1600 with at least one year experience can assess. The standard was originally created with a large vessel, unlimited tonnage bias (dougpine, you did not jsut read me saying that…). The revised standard allows the asserssments to be done by someone with comparable qualifications to a 2nd Mate on vessels between 500 and 1600 GRT, and on military vesse4ls – a 2nd Mate has one year experience as OICNW.[/QUOTE]
That is new, but how is NMC going to verify the 500/1600ton mate has 1 year experience? Will the assessor now have to give the one being assessed a sea-time letter for NMC? That will make applications difficult to process otherwise.
[QUOTE=Capt. Schmitt;52581]So how did you and others here get your master unlimited? Have the rules changed or did you go on some other vessel?[/QUOTE]
I had to go on another vessel. I was able to get up to 6 months service at a 2 for 1 basis for up to 1/2 of the required Chief Mate time to upgrade to Master, while holding the license of Chief Mate. For the other 6 months, I had to go on something and actually be a Chief Mate. I would plan ahead on how you can accomplish this, if you are going this route, because it was a shock to many, myself included, when getting to this point
Did you have to leave chouest to do that or do they have vessels that require a chief mate?
[QUOTE=Capt. Schmitt;52595]Did you have to leave chouest to do that or do they have vessels that require a chief mate?[/QUOTE]
Went to the Wheeler in Guam…the Coast Guard allowed that time…Industrial Vessel with 1 Captain and 3 Mate and 3 watch system.
Oh I remember it well…
Well heck,
I am raising extra $$ to pay back all the $$$$ I borrowed for those %#@! classes. Send your assessment sheets to:
VAR Captain
11 Norman Doucet Dr
Fourchon, LA 70357.
Please include a self addressed stamped envelope and your credit card info. 
Thanks for the info on the assessor. Makes it a little easier for me.
As for the 6,000 program I have already done that. We have several AB’s onboard now going through the OSV program. When I started talking about the new policy letter I was asked if it would be better to apply for a higher rate/non-trade restricted license. It seems to me that at least they should qualify for 1600 Mate. The only thing stopping them from it before was the STCW class load. The 500ton OSV Program got them out of having to take these classes. To further this thinking…why could they not even apply for a 3rd mate, take the same test and take the tonnage restriction? You would still have the tonnage to serve as mate on most large OSV’s (1 1/2 times largest tonnage sailed) then during 2nd Mate upgrade you can take limited exam for 1600 Master. If this person did go this route (which is highly possible in ECO) then they should get the 6,000 after getting 1600 Master because of time served on Large OSV right? Providing they do the Large OSV assesments. All this in 1 year of seatime and without a trade restriction to remove. Possible?
Cash is harder for the IRS to track.
[QUOTE=CaptKrunch;52608]Thanks for the info on the assessor. Makes it a little easier for me.
As for the 6,000 program I have already done that. We have several AB’s onboard now going through the OSV program. When I started talking about the new policy letter I was asked if it would be better to apply for a higher rate/non-trade restricted license. It seems to me that at least they should qualify for 1600 Mate. The only thing stopping them from it before was the STCW class load. The 500ton OSV Program got them out of having to take these classes. To further this thinking…why could they not even apply for a 3rd mate, take the same test and take the tonnage restriction? You would still have the tonnage to serve as mate on most large OSV’s (1 1/2 times largest tonnage sailed) then during 2nd Mate upgrade you can take limited exam for 1600 Master. If this person did go this route (which is highly possible in ECO) then they should get the 6,000 after getting 1600 Master because of time served on Large OSV right? Providing they do the Large OSV assesments. All this in 1 year of seatime and without a trade restriction to remove. Possible?[/QUOTE]
It’s 1-1/2 tonnage on vessel where they spent at least 50% of their time. So if they spent 1 and a half years of the 3 years required for 3rd on a large enough vessel they would get that boost other wise it’s 100 % of tonnage on 25% time served. And the fine print on the 2nd to 1600 is that a second with at least 1600 can apply for the master 1600. So if you are a second with a restriction of 1400 grt then you do not qualify.
But the new regs supposedly coming out will make the minimum tonnage a 3rd would receive 2000grt/3200 itc. Don’t know if they are handing that out yet or not. Does suck that for the same tonnage required you could get a 3rd with a lower restriction than the 1600 mate. Whouda thunkit?
[QUOTE=CaptKrunch;52608]Thanks for the info on the assessor. Makes it a little easier for me.
As for the 6,000 program I have already done that. We have several AB’s onboard now going through the OSV program. When I started talking about the new policy letter I was asked if it would be better to apply for a higher rate/non-trade restricted license. It seems to me that at least they should qualify for 1600 Mate. The only thing stopping them from it before was the STCW class load. The 500ton OSV Program got them out of having to take these classes. To further this thinking…why could they not even apply for a 3rd mate, take the same test and take the tonnage restriction? You would still have the tonnage to serve as mate on most large OSV’s (1 1/2 times largest tonnage sailed) then during 2nd Mate upgrade you can take limited exam for 1600 Master. If this person did go this route (which is highly possible in ECO) then they should get the 6,000 after getting 1600 Master because of time served on Large OSV right? Providing they do the Large OSV assesments. All this in 1 year of seatime and without a trade restriction to remove. Possible?[/QUOTE]
That is certainly possible, but if they have the sea-time for that, they already wasted an entire year when they could have already been a Mate OSV making the money and holding the position, working on the 6,000ton and getting the tonnage. How ambitious could a person be at that point? Sure, it can be done in place of what should have already been done.
Agreed and such it is but I believe the majority of hopeful upgraders have spent at least a year past their eligibility for an upgrade working on deck. I hear the excuses of homelife issues or whatever but it does boil down to priorities. Didn’t want to give out some bad advice so thanks again for this information.
[QUOTE=CaptKrunch;52647]Agreed and such it is but I believe the majority of hopeful upgraders have spent at least a year past their eligibility for an upgrade working on deck. I hear the excuses of homelife issues or whatever but it does boil down to priorities. Didn’t want to give out some bad advice so thanks again for this information.[/QUOTE]
It’s good advice, but I would not be quick to disregard the OSV assessments if that is already started. It’s a good regime of mooring the vessel through several evolutions (independently), transfers, etc… it’s way more specific then the fundamentals of OICNW assessments. IF anything, for the real world practice. I never had a problem letting AB’s put the Dino in slip# 9 @ C-Port 2 when I was her Master. You have to train people and OICNW doesn’t cover it, to the extent of OSV assessments.
[QUOTE=anchorman;52655]It’s good advice, but I would not be quick to disregard the OSV assessments if that is already started. It’s a good regime of mooring the vessel through several evolutions (independently), transfers, etc… it’s way more specific then the fundamentals of OICNW assessments. IF anything, for the real world practice. I never had a problem letting AB’s put the Dino in slip# 9 @ C-Port 2 when I was her Master. You have to train people and OICNW doesn’t cover it, to the extent of OSV assessments.[/QUOTE]
1000% agree.