OSV's/Licensing

I dunno man I’ve seen some of the guys get thief stuff back and it’s says master of osv up to 6000 itc upon oceans. Others say domestic even if they have oceans already. As I’ve pointed out its a crap shoot at the NMC sometimes depending on your evaluator.

Here is an idea, instead of discussing this with other people or on the internet of all places, why doesn’t someone open a book (specifically the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR’s] which you are required to have access to on vessels over 200 tons) and find the reference instead of going with I heard or my friend says or god forbid the internet where I can find evidence that even I was on the grassy knoll in Dallas?

Come on guys, lets be professional and proficient at our jobs by being knowledgeable instead of relying someone else finding the answers. You are supposed to be subject matter specialists as a Master or trying to become one as a Mate, not mariners that just study all the subjects so you can pass the exam. Take some pride in yourselves.

OK, I said it and I will be ignoring all the flames I get back on this subject so do not waste your time…

There’s probably books and other resources that could answer or answer every topic on this forum. If that’s your attitude, why are you on here?

Hmmm… “Master/subject matter specialist” I’d think that would require attention to detail, such as, reading the original question, before throwing any spears. Guess I was wrong.

If master osv 6000 appears in the cfr I can’t find it. All it says under “master osv” is “qualifies for stcw endorsement II/2.” If it is so easy to find then enlighten us please.

Not trying to flame you BMCS but you and I can read it and come to the same conclusion. The disconnect is in the NMC. I got two guys with the same amount of sea time on the same boat. Ones evaluator says he can sit for third motor. The others evaluator says he doesn’t have enough time. Ive seen AB’s going for mate got all of their time in the same vessel. All one guy can get is 1600 mate the other gets to sit for third mate. I’m sure everyone can give these examples all day. Ive read the CFR’s it’s not like they are rune stones or dead sea scrolls.

[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;65666]How much previous time did you have as master? (or mate if you got mate 6000?)[/QUOTE]
As master, 2400+ 12 hour days.
If I recall correctly, sea time letters from Gulf OSV companies generally state your rank as “Captain”, if you ride the boat with a Master’s license. So, more time as “Captain” then I care to think about.

I applied for, and received an Oceans endorsement on the OSV 6000, which appears on both the international & domestic endorsement in my MMC.

My suggestion would be to include the CFR reference in your application. “Chief OSV Any HP as per 46 CFT xx.xxx” do as much of their job for them. As sad as it is to have to do, the more you spoonfeed them the more likely you are to get what you want. I tried walking my evaluator through the CFRs and MSM, but he got tired of talking to me so he eventually said “if you don’t like it, just write a protest letter”.

Somebody said once on here that if you get an OSV endorsement tacked on your license it ca add restrictions to the license when you are on an OSV. I’ve never sailed on OSVs so I don’t know anything about it, but a good thing to know before you go.

Well, the more I hear, the more I lean towards just being patient, sitting for Chief Limited, and the 2nd Unlimited. I’ve worked too hard for what I have now to lose the Oceans Endorsement or end up with a restricted license.

[QUOTE=Fraqrat;65702]I dunno man I’ve seen some of the guys get thief stuff back and it’s says master of osv up to 6000 itc upon oceans. Others say domestic even if they have oceans already. As I’ve pointed out its a crap shoot at the NMC sometimes depending on your evaluator.[/QUOTE]

No kidding, my little red book reads:

Master of Steam or Motor Vessels of not more than 500 GRT (Domestic Tonnage) upon oceans.

Master of OSV nmt 3000 Gross Tons (Itc Tonnage) upon Domestic Near Coastal Waters.

Based on this wording I am thinking I cannot serve on an OSV beyond near coastal waters, or 200 nm offshore.
About to renew my credential, will have to see if I can get this rectified.

You have to ask for it. I did and have 3000 itc oceans on mine.

does the 3000 ITC osv master mean you cant run a vessel over seas on that license? I currently have a 500 ton master near coastal but also have my 3000 ITC OSV master. I cant find anything saying if that 3000 ITC is just in US gulf of mexico or is it based on US flagged OSVs regardless of location?

I got my 6000 a couple of months ago and it states OSV 6000 Oceans.

[QUOTE=captmarcus;65693]According to Gumbo in the training center as of two days ago, and also the USCG website, and also from a few other reputable licensing specialists seen here on this forum, you must have 180 days as captain on an OSV of less than 3000 ITC before entering into the large OSV 6000 ton program, and that time will be required to be documented with your USCG application when submitted.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I know Gumbo…he use to call me all the time about licensing issues. You can be a Mate. I helped initiate the program and was the first that ever had the endorsement. The program has not changed that I am aware. Now, I can tell you that Chouest may have made that a requirement, and they have every right to do so.

So any officer time counts towards that 180 days? Does it have to be on OSVs or any boat? If you know the requirements could you please describe them in detail for the future generations who will read this thread wanting the answer?

[QUOTE=Flyer69;65778]No kidding, my little red book reads:

Master of Steam or Motor Vessels of not more than 500 GRT (Domestic Tonnage) upon oceans.

Master of OSV nmt 3000 Gross Tons (Itc Tonnage) upon Domestic Near Coastal Waters.

Based on this wording I am thinking I cannot serve on an OSV beyond near coastal waters, or 200 nm offshore.
About to renew my credential, will have to see if I can get this rectified.[/QUOTE]

Well, after doing a bunch of reading and research I got my answer. I am limited to OSV upon Domestic Near Coastal Waters because I asked for the endorsement on my 500GRT license as per NMC Policy Letter 07-00 Nov. 14, 2000.
There are a lot of new and revised checklists now on the NMC website that also detail requirements for OSV 3000 and OSV 6000.
And new checklists for master 500 and 1600 that say STCW requirements are optional…

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists.asp

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/MCP-FM-NMC5-85%20Master%20OSV.pdf?list1=checklists%2FMCP-FM-NMC5-85+Master+OSV.pdf&B1=GO%21

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/MCP-FM-NMC5-87%20Master%20OSV%206000.pdf?list1=checklists%2FMCP-FM-NMC5-87+Master+OSV+6000.pdf&B1=GO!

Thanks for those checklists. That is almost all the information I needed.

What information is missing that you need to be complete?

For example, do you need to do the 180 days on a smaller vessel before doing the 56 days on a large osv?

Do you need to have that 180 days before taking the approved course? (The last may be required by the course and part of their approval but not outright required by the nmc.)

I hear people talking about needing to do 82 days on a Large OSV even though the checklist only asks for 56. Something about doing the 56 days then doing 28 more to do assessments. Why can’t the assessments be done during the required 56 days?

*** Disclaimer: I am only asking these questions because I was asked what was left unresolved. If anyone knows feel free to answer but I plan on resolving most of these questions myself with a phone call or two.

OSV 6000 checklist:
http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/MCP-FM-NMC5-87%20Master%20OSV%206000.pdf?list1=checklists%2FMCP-FM-NMC5-87+Master+OSV+6000.pdf&B1=GO%21
On the bottom of page 1:

Complete 180 days of service as master or mate of an OSV >1,000 GT (ITC)

As I understand it, the approved course is company specific. I imagine each company may have their own standard for entry into the course. The 56 days works out to 28 day hitches where you would be onboard as a “training captain”

My understanding of the process is as an outsider having talked with a friend of mine who is a 6000 OSV master, maybe someone here on this forum who is directly involved in the process will elaborate.