# Restriction of Master towing to 200 tons on unispected vessels? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime Training & Licensing\ **Created:** [June 29, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807 "2009-06-29T03:44:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![franklnooner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@franklnooner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/franklnooner)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/1 "2009-06-29T03:44:03Z")
Just wanted to know about the restriction on my stcw that reads Limited to service on Uninspected towing vessels not more than 200 tons? I have been a Master towing 1600 tons for more than 7 years on my license for more than 20years. Can some one explain this one to me. I think this is uninspected/inspected difference? Frank ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Anonymous](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_anonymous/32/1579_2.png) [@Capt\_Anonymous](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/2 "2009-06-29T12:18:14Z")
[quote=franklnooner;14653]Just wanted to know about the restriction on my stcw that reads Limited to service on Uninspected towing vessels not more than 200 tons? I have been a Master towing 1600 tons for more than 7 years on my license for more than 20years. Can some one explain this one to me. I think this is uninspected/inspected difference? Frank[/quote] Since you hold a 1600 ton inspected license (uh, excuse me “officer endorsement”) there should not be a tonnage limitation on your MOTV. It sounds like a NMC eff-up. You should probably give 'em a call. I’ve got Master 1600 Oceans and MOTV Oceans and there isn’t anything on my STCW limiting me to uninspected towing vessels \<200 tons. This crap is driving me nuts! ---
**Author:** ![10talents](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9f8e36/32.png) [@10talents](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/10talents)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/3 "2009-06-29T15:03:10Z")
Frank, all my sea time, except for early days on trawlers, was done on uninspected towing vessels. My STCW cert reads "Officer in charge of a navigational watch (Mate) and mentions nothing about uninspected towing vessels. My limitations are for vessels not more than 500GRT. I did however have to complete the full boat :eek: of classes for STCW-OICNW. Best to you. ---
**Author:** ![franklnooner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@franklnooner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/franklnooner)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 10:30am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/4 "2009-06-30T10:30:31Z")
Just another mess from NMC, drives me nuts as well, mostly becuase it takes forever to get fixed right, and the hoops you have to go through?? Looks like something for me to work on in my spare time? Welcome to the NMC to do list? Frank ---
**Author:** ![cajuntugster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@cajuntugster](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cajuntugster)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/5 "2009-07-04T11:24:41Z")
[quote=franklnooner;14653]Just wanted to know about the restriction on my stcw that reads Limited to service on Uninspected towing vessels not more than 200 tons? I have been a Master towing 1600 tons for more than 7 years on my license for more than 20years. Can some one explain this one to me. I think this is uninspected/inspected difference? Frank[/quote] Frank, My STCW reads Master of uninspected towing vessels of nor more than 300 gross tons(domestic tonnage). It was explained to me that anything over 300 gt is inspected. Also, i believe that internationally all vessels are inspected vessels, hence Master or Mate 200gt/500itc, etc. etc. In domestic waters you are on an uninspected towing vessel, in international waters you are on an inspected vessel. ---
**Author:** ![cajuntugster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@cajuntugster](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cajuntugster)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 11:30am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/6 "2009-07-04T11:30:26Z")
> [@Capt\_Anonymous;14671](#): > > Since you hold a 1600 ton inspected license (uh, excuse me “officer endorsement”) there should not be a tonnage limitation on your MOTV. It sounds like a NMC eff-up. You should probably give 'em a call. I’ve got Master 1600 Oceans and MOTV Oceans and there isn’t anything on my STCW limiting me to uninspected towing vessels \<200 tons. This crap is driving me nuts! Capt. A, There is a licensing regulation you don’t know??? My acolytic adoration of you has been shattered!! ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Anonymous](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_anonymous/32/1579_2.png) [@Capt\_Anonymous](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 11:33am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/7 "2009-07-04T11:33:29Z")
[quote=cajuntugster;15007]Capt. A, There is a licensing regulation you don’t know??? My acolytic adoration of you has been shattered!![/quote] And now you see me for what I truly am, a mere mortal. ---
**Author:** ![dougpine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dougpine/32/7653_2.png) [@dougpine](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dougpine)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 1:44pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/8 "2009-07-04T13:44:10Z")
[quote=cajuntugster;15005]Frank, My STCW reads Master of uninspected towing vessels of nor more than 300 gross tons(domestic tonnage).[/quote] I always thought the magic number was 200 tons… ---
**Author:** ![franklnooner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@franklnooner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/franklnooner)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/9 "2009-07-04T16:10:46Z")
Got a reply from the NMC. They said this was something they were trying to fix, and was something that was outdated. Who know what they will come up with, but it sounds like 1600 tons master towing covers it all without the restriction I have on my stcw? ---
**Author:** ![Sss59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sss59](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Sss59)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/10 "2009-07-11T15:01:06Z")
Master of towing web site gives a good explanation > **[Tugboat Licensing Tonnage: Tons Of Misunderstanding](https://towmasters.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/tugboat-licensing-tonnage-tons-of-misunderstanding/)** > > Due to the large number and specific nature of  internet searches that have lead net-surfing mariners to our website, it’s time to attempt an understandable explanation of the tonnage limitat… ---
**Author:** ![trekleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/58956e/32.png) [@trekleader](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/trekleader)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/restriction-of-master-towing-to-200-tons-on-unispected-vessels/1807/11 "2009-08-06T14:08:17Z")
Thanks for posting the link, it clears a lot up…