Hello to all, just an update, or “the rest of the story”. I was approved to test for 1600 Master, with the expiration date of Nov 24, 2011. I had issues, (sick parents, a promotion, including a move across the state to another port, etc.) all of which made studying time hard to come by. I saw on the NMC website that a person holding a master of towing, and time as Master of ( I believe it was over 100 or 150 tons) could sit for the 500 Master with only 3 instead of 6 modules of the test. Modules were Rules of the Road (50 questions), Deck General (50 questions), and a combo, Deck General, Nav. General, & Deck Safety/ Environmental Safety (70 questions). Since I was running out of time, I called my evaluator at NMC, and requested this option. After a few remarks about waiting until the last moment, he agreed to change my letter and give me approval to test for the lower license. I studied at the STAR Center in Dania, using Lapware, Capt. Joe’s, Murphy’s, reading Bowditch and all the other reference material they had on hand. I managed to pass on my first try, by the not very impressive scores of 94, 70, 76 for the three modules mentioned. but like the joke says, the guy who graduates medical school with the lowest score, is still called “Doctor”. So, I now hold a 500 Master NC, along with AB unlimited, any waters, and all the STCW endorsements that were prerequisites of sitting for the 500 / 1600 test.
I have been told that upon holding the 500 master and serving another 360 days as master aboard a 150 ton vessel, I can apply for and receive the 1600 master with no further testing, except for perhaps another RoR test. Any truth to that?