From an old thread:
That rule change should have gone through. Maybe in a few years they’ll get that finally passed where in order to get Master 500/1600 you have to at least test for Mate 500/1600/3M/2M first (or simultaneously).
Next would be to require people testing for Master 500/1600 to take the same test as CM/Master unlimited.
Would be nice, but the deep pockets in the GoM would lobby against it until they were broke. Between that and the large OSV endorsements, there’s a serious issue with our licensing system.
The way I read the rules now for Master OSV greater than 3,000 GT makes it almost identical to the requirements for Master Unlimited, including one FULL year as chief mate. Additionally, to get the corresponding STCW endorsement they need to complete all the same classes and assessments as CM/Master unlimited (the same as for Master 1600/3000 now). Unless the USCG exempts then from requirements deemed “too burdensome” the only significant difference I see is the exams the Unlimited CM/M have to take.
Now, I expect that once this new scheme gets started the boat companies will write sea time letters as “Chief Mate” for anyone holding a Chief Mate OSV license, regardless of what their actual position onboard is, to get them Master licenses. They already write sea time as master for anyone with a master’s license and they give officer sea time to licensed lookouts.
… and that is precisely why I think testing is needed instead of a direct crossover.
Did they finally do away with the “an assessment packet submitted to NMC gets you a bigger license” BS? Or is it still that easy to get the over 3000 OSV?
Go read the CFR.
You need time as a chief mate and for Master OSV greater than 3,000 GT you need time as Chief Mate over 3,000 GT.
I wish now OSVs would be required to submit discharges. The master of the vessel wouldn’t want to put his license on the line to sign of multiple people as Chief Mate simultaneously. Plus, it would be obvious to the NMC when multiple discharges for the same vessel come in with multiple Chief Mates on at the same time and 5 mates onboard total. (Although they let MSC get away with giving mate time to non watch standers so maybe they aren’t that attentive.)
[quote=“Capt_Phoenix, post:5, topic:44653, full:true”]
Go read the CFR.
You need time as a chief mate and for Master OSV greater than 3,000 GT you need time as Chief Mate over 3,000 GT.
I[/quote]
See also NVIC 03-17.
So it appears that the USCG is exempting OSV licenses from a number of STCW classes and assessments.
It’s still better than it was but I’m disappointed.