I just posted this somewhere else but it’s not showing up so if it turns into a double post I apologize in advance.
Hey… first post here. Have been reading through the threads and it seems like theres a lot of knowledge here so I thought I’d post a couple questions I have to see if anyone would be able to help me out. Here is my current situation… I am currently active duty in the Navy forward deployed with less than a year remaining on my contract. I am looking to break into the maritime industry post discharge and looking towards Maine Maritime as I have lived my entire life in Maine. I am 25 years of age and will be 26 by the time I started.
My questions:
[ul]
[li]My ultimate goal is to be in the coastal region of Maine (or somewhere in New England). Tug / Pilot Boat / Ferry etc. With Maine offering both the MTO program and the VOT program, the VTO is what I’m looking at. Question is, does it make sense to just complete the MTO program and be eligible to sit for the USCG 3rd mate unlimited license? I feel as though, its there so why not? Not sure if I am approaching this from the wrong angle or have things backwards.[/li][li]I believe I read somewhere along the line that veterans are eligible for off campus housing. Is this true and if so does this still apply to freshman? [/li]
[li]I am currently taking classes online at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I have only taken two classes. The first I killed with an A but the second one I ended up going out to sea and have missed two weeks so my grade won’t be spectacular. Will this be a big issue? [/li]
[li]Will my 4 years of sea time be useful in anyway post graduation? Can I apply this time towards possibly 2nd mate? I know I’m thinking way ahead with this one but just curious. [/li]
[/ul]
Thanks guys and I look forward to hearing any insight you may have.
Cheers all
[QUOTE=z-drive;164315]In your case it depends what kind of sea time you have from the navy etc. usually in that case easy enough to go unlimited but all depends.[/QUOTE]
18,400 ton vessel as an OS (Radar and Navigation).
[QUOTE=z-drive;164315]In your case it depends what kind of sea time you have from the navy etc. usually in that case easy enough to go unlimited but all depends.[/QUOTE]
18,400 Ton Vessel as an Operations Specialist (Radar & Navigation). Will my Navy experience help at all with acceptance? A little worried about getting in. Thanks for the quick response… Really appreciate it.
[QUOTE=z-drive;164315]In your case it depends what kind of sea time you have from the navy etc. usually in that case easy enough to go unlimited but all depends.[/QUOTE]
Prior sea time doesn’t make a difference for the 3rd Mate program. They cannot waive or reduce cadet sea time based on prior service. as the cadets in it qualify for their license and STCW by completing a comprehensive program that includes a year of shipboard training. Prior time is obviously not part of such a program. Prior time [U]might[/U] be used to reduce service in the mate 1600 ton program as that program is approved by a different methodology to meet different requirements.
SUNY Maritime has a Mate 1600 Ton program that leads to the same endorsements after a little over 2 years.
Time spent prior to getting 3rd Mate can’t be used for 2nd Mate. As specified in 46 CFR 11.406, all time for 2nd Mate has to be while holding 3rd Mate.
yes, but if he has a ton of qualifying unlimited time then the VOT program may not be a bad deal with potentially the same results as the unlimited program. Not necessarily getting through quicker but Why deal with any regimental crap if he can potentially end up with a 3rds anyways?
The idea is he may have enough unlimited time to eliminate any tonnage restriction even If he has to re-apply for a raise of grade after graduating.
Here is my suggestion: Hire a good USCG license consultant for $200 and have them figure out what MMC licenses or endorsements that your Navy sea time may qualify you for. Search for “USCG License Consultants” they have been discussed many times on gcaptain and Google.
Once you know what you can get with your navy seatime, and how much more seatime you would need to get 3rd mate, you’ll be in a position to know whether it makes sense to attend an academy, go straight to MSC for awhile, or find other commercial employment.
If you are going to an academy, my advice would be to do the four year program and get 3rd mate. The USCG licensing system is stacked in favor of academy graduates, and guys working for the larger OSV companies.
Wow! Awesome information from all of you. I really appreciate the help and I am going to start looking into your suggestions.
Again, really appreciate it.
Doug
Thanks to all for the responses! It has helped me get my foot in the right direction. I contacted a license consultant and got the following response:
"The only service I offer is to assist people with license transactions. Assuming you have navy sea service as an OS, then you could certainly qualify for at least Able Seaman. No “recent” sea service would be needed for that
You could also get an entry level Master, 100 gross tons and Mate, 200 gross tons license combination, if you have recent Navy underway service in the last 3 years.
Let me know if you’d like a assistance in obtaining those credentials now."
As I have spent 2012-current at sea as a navigation watch supervisor for both underway steaming and special detail including both shipping and piloting officer it seems like he may be able to give me more insight into an entry level master, 100 ton, and 200 ton license combination. A question I have before I go into more detail with this consultant is what does an entry level master entail? I have been searching online with no luck for information as to how this sets me up for advancing towards a masters license for my goal of operations on tugs. With these options would it make sense to attend an academy? I apologies if this is a little confusing but I’m just trying to set myself up as best as possible.
Thanks again for the quick responses and the loads of information you guys have already provided. I can’t thank you enough.
Take care guys,
Doug
[QUOTE=the207life;164368]Thanks to all for the responses! It has helped me get my foot in the right direction. I contacted a license consultant and got the following response:
"The only service I offer is to assist people with license transactions. Assuming you have navy sea service as an OS, then you could certainly qualify for at least Able Seaman. No “recent” sea service would be needed for that
You could also get an entry level Master, 100 gross tons and Mate, 200 gross tons license combination, if you have recent Navy underway service in the last 3 years.
Let me know if you’d like a assistance in obtaining those credentials now."
As I have spent 2012-current at sea as a navigation watch supervisor for both underway steaming and special detail including both shipping and piloting officer it seems like he may be able to give me more insight into an entry level master, 100 ton, and 200 ton license combination. A question I have before I go into more detail with this consultant is what does an entry level master entail? I have been searching online with no luck for information as to how this sets me up for advancing towards a masters license for my goal of operations on tugs. With these options would it make sense to attend an academy? I apologies if this is a little confusing but I’m just trying to set myself up as best as possible.
Thanks again for the quick responses and the loads of information you guys have already provided. I can’t thank you enough.
Take care guys,
Doug[/QUOTE]
That is very preliminary off the cuff “free advice,” and nothing to base any decision on. Until your consultant sees documentation of your Navy seatime and training, and you have paid his fee, he is not in a position to give you reliable advice about what you might qualify for, or what additional seatime you may need for any particular license.
Honestly you might be better off just roughing out the 3rd mate program at a maritime academy. You bring knowledge so that should make the classes easier. After you have the 3rd mate unlimited you will have a lot better options.
[QUOTE=the207life;164368]Thanks to all for the responses! It has helped me get my foot in the right direction. I contacted a license consultant and got the following response:
"The only service I offer is to assist people with license transactions. Assuming you have navy sea service as an OS, then you could certainly qualify for at least Able Seaman. No “recent” sea service would be needed for that
You could also get an entry level Master, 100 gross tons and Mate, 200 gross tons license combination, if you have recent Navy underway service in the last 3 years.
Let me know if you’d like a assistance in obtaining those credentials now."
As I have spent 2012-current at sea as a navigation watch supervisor for both underway steaming and special detail including both shipping and piloting officer it seems like he may be able to give me more insight into an entry level master, 100 ton, and 200 ton license combination. A question I have before I go into more detail with this consultant is what does an entry level master entail? I have been searching online with no luck for information as to how this sets me up for advancing towards a masters license for my goal of operations on tugs. With these options would it make sense to attend an academy? I apologies if this is a little confusing but I’m just trying to set myself up as best as possible.
Thanks again for the quick responses and the loads of information you guys have already provided. I can’t thank you enough.
Take care guys,
Doug[/QUOTE]
First thing I would do is find a new license consultant, one familiar with military service. The fact that your consultant mentioned service in the Navy as an OS shows that they know nothing about dealing with military service.
[QUOTE=Robert;164383]First thing I would do is find a new license consultant, one familiar with military service. The fact that your consultant mentioned service in the Navy as an OS shows that they know nothing about dealing with military service.[/QUOTE]
Yeah I am going to contact another one… see if they can provide more options. I think he was referring to the fact that my Navy rate is an Operations Specialist (OS).
Updated - - -
[QUOTE=Tkoval;164376]If you have the GI bill academy is a no brainier. A degree and unlimited license paid for, nuff said[/QUOTE]
I do have the GI Bill.
Updated - - -
[QUOTE=LI_Domer;164382]Honestly you might be better off just roughing out the 3rd mate program at a maritime academy. You bring knowledge so that should make the classes easier. After you have the 3rd mate unlimited you will have a lot better options.[/QUOTE]
Hey 207, I am a former QM in the navy and I’ll be starting MMA this fall. I think I can help you with a few of your questions. From my understanding veteran’s can live off campus since we are considered non-traditional students but depending on which major you choose one must be in the regiment. I know the regiment is required for the MTO major and for VOT i believe it is optional or just the freshman year I’m not to sure about that one. Most of the answers you seek can be found in MMA website or you could contact admission through email they have been very helpful when I talked to them.
I was in the same boat as you, when I left the navy i began doing research on which maritime academy to pursue and I always ended up with maine maritime as the right one for me. Anyways good luck with your decision.
[QUOTE=Point_Nemo;164664]Hey 207, I am a former QM in the navy and I’ll be starting MMA this fall. I think I can help you with a few of your questions. From my understanding veteran’s can live off campus since we are considered non-traditional students but depending on which major you choose one must be in the regiment. I know the regiment is required for the MTO major and for VOT i believe it is optional or just the freshman year I’m not to sure about that one. Most of the answers you seek can be found in MMA website or you could contact admission through email they have been very helpful when I talked to them.
I was in the same boat as you, when I left the navy i began doing research on which maritime academy to pursue and I always ended up with maine maritime as the right one for me. Anyways good luck with your decision.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the input… I am going to shoot them an e-mail right now. I am a little worried about my high school transcript and test scores. Willing to retake the ACT or SAT and have some college credits so I am hoping they can be utilized in place of my HS transcript.
If you don’t mind me asking, what program are you going for?
I’m going MTO major for that 3rd mate’s license. I loved working all aspects of navigation and a career at sea based on my experience as a QM seems like the right choice for me. I was in the same situation as you, my high school grades weren’t that great and I had two semesters of college that I did alright and an above average SAT score. Since your still in the navy a reference letter from one of your department head’s either a petty officer , chief or even better the captain would greatly help for the admissions package you need.
You should start doing research on all your option’s, nowadays colleges are expensive. Even with the VA education benefits and GI Bill there are always out of pocket expenses that one should consider.
If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Good luck.
[QUOTE=the207life;164690]Thanks for the input… I am going to shoot them an e-mail right now. I am a little worried about my high school transcript and test scores. Willing to retake the ACT or SAT and have some college credits so I am hoping they can be utilized in place of my HS transcript.
If you don’t mind me asking, what program are you going for?[/QUOTE]
you will have no issue getting accepted. With your navy time and age your highschool record will not have much weight. I’d apply as early as possible when the time comes though.