This is a TEST of the new NMC West Virginia, This is only a TEST!

<br><br>“If I send you an e-mail that stating I am 12 inches long does it make it factual?”<br><br>Yes. If you were talking about your foot.

Well I sent it in an e-mail. That has to have some validity, because everything I send in an e-mail is factual! Everything ever sent in the history of e-mails is factual, because if it weren’t factual then why would it be in an e-mail? Are you still with me?<br><br>I am going to e-mail your right now and try to make the 12 inches factual!

CRAP IT DIDN’T WORK!

Lee,<br> Try a steam-roller…That might help.

<P>Ironhorse this is what you get with the OSV and I am on the biggest OSV in the Gulf and it is not over 6000 tons nor can it be and still be classified as an OSV.</P>

I’m not even going to touch “Leroy”.

I erased it!

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal] </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /><o:p></o:p></span></P>
<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style=“mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184” cellPadding=0 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes]
<TD style=“PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #e2e2e2; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; WIDTH: 6.5in; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #e2e2e2” width=624>
<DIV align=right> </DIV></TD></TR>
<TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes]
<TD style=“PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #e2e2e2; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; WIDTH: 469.5pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #e2e2e2” width=626 colSpan=2>Here’s an email of proof. Although, I don’t feel like I’ve got to justify myself. This is just an indication of one gentlemen that recieved it. Take it as you want but you are sounding like an ass and it’s not Gilligans Island. Things change policies change. End of story, read the following. By the way, OSV’s will go over 6000 ITC. The company I work for has one coming out late part of this year. It will then be the largest in the world. Chouest has that now. Mr. Grainger sent me an email besides this one stating that the license will read any gross tons because OSV’s are becoming so large when they are running in the L class, the license stating Master OSV any gross tons will cover it. Period. Have a good day gentlemen.
<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style=“WIDTH: 404.1pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184” cellPadding=0 width=539 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes]
<TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #e2e2e2; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #e2e2e2]
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]</span></STRONG></P></TD>
<TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #e2e2e2; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #e2e2e2]
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]</span></STRONG></P></TD>
<TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #e2e2e2; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #e2e2e2; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #e2e2e2]
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]</span></STRONG></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]Original Message ----- </span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]From: “Gainer, Joseph CTR” <Joseph.Gainer@uscg.mil></span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]To: <de***od@telaurus.net></span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 07:18</span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]Subject: license</span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]Mr. De***o, There will not be an official letter stating that your OSV </span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]license does not have a tonnage limitation because the license does not </span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]state a limitation.Have a good day.</span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]Joe</span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]Joe Gainer</span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto]<STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Arial’,‘sans-serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]</span></STRONG><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal]<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: ‘Times New Roman’,‘serif’; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’]<o:p></o:p></span></STRONG> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt]<o:p><font face=Calibri size=3> </font></o:p></P>

That email refers to exactly what Lee just posted genius. He doen’t have a limitation and neither do I. If you are talking about Hornbeck, those will be sub-chapter I…good luck with that.

Listen here Rookie, If you think you are going to be able to run on those sulfur tankers with an OSV license you will be sadly mistaken. I hope you are not betting the farm on that, because you are setting yourself up for disappointment. The only way they will be OSV classified is if they are less than 6000 tons ITC. There may be some class specific made up license, like I Class vessels owned and operated by HOS or who ever, but that is yet to be seen. If that be the case there may or may not be more training or classes to qualify for that. Who is Joe Gainer anyway? Have you ever heard people say call the Coast guard and get one answer and then call back and talk to someone else in the same office and get a completely different answer? Did you just keep asking until you got the answer you wanted? The answer that served your needs? Since you make it your business to know these things you better do some more research. You can start by talking to Richard Wells. He has a lot of experience and dealings with the OSV industry and he should be able to give it to you straight. He was at Coast Guard New Orleans. Since you did not take the time to look it up when anchorman told you I am going to write it out for you.<br><br>CFR 46 125.160 An Offshore Supply Vessel means a vessel that- (3) Is more than 15 but less than 500 gross tons ( as measured under the Standard Dual, or Simplified Measurement System under part 69, subpart C, D, or E of this Chapter) or is less than 6000 gross tons ( as measured under the Convention Measurement System under part 69, Subpart B of this Chapter.<br><br>Now that is factual. That is the Law. Reach between your legs and pull as hard as you can until you hear a loud “POP”<br><br>Now this does not mean that all OSV license are equal. Some say Mate OSV 500 tons 3000 ITC. Some say Master OSV limited 3000 tons ITC. Some say Master OSV. Period, but that does not mean any gross tons. You are so caught up is this fairy tale you can not see the truth. You are the very first person I have ever heard say OSV any gross tons and now I see why.<br>

Ahem…, well anyway back to the original topic of the thread. I called NMC on Friday to check out the status of my endorsement which was applied for about the same time as Capt. Lee’s upgrade and they said it had just been approved to print and should go out on Monday. Maybe they are really going to make the 30 day turn around they were shooting for. It would have been nice to have had it last week as I missed out on a job opportunity for Seacor without it. Spilt milk as they say. I’ll be ready for the next one.<br>Doc

““Mr. Grainger sent me an email besides this one stating that the license
will read any gross tons because OSV’s are becoming so large when they
are running in the L class, the license stating Master OSV any gross
tons will cover it. Period. Have a good day gentlemen.””<br><br><strong>Ironhorse - I think Mr. Grainger should go back to the hardware and industrial supply business. He was certainly a lot better at that, than he is at giving out credible licensure advice.<br><br>First, as stated here previously, and well annotated in the Code of Federal Regulations, a Subchapter L vessel (an OSV) can not exceed the limitations that are presently set forth for that class of vessel. Anything above and beyond those limitations would classify the vessel as a Tank Ship, or Cargo Ship, and subjecting it to a wider array of requirements both nationally, and internationally.<br><br>Now, straight from a friend who holds a seat on MERPAC, I can categorically state to you that the U.S. Coast Guard is not going to start issuing licenses that are in direct contravention of STCW, and jeopardizing their White List status after narrowly avoiding that fiasco with the implementation of STCW back at the turn of the century. <br><br>That being said, a Master - OSV - Any Gross Tons upon Oceans, is a figment of your imagination, and until you fork up the proof in the pudding, and show the license with that printed upon it, or the NVIC that authorized it’s issuance, or the CFR that coincides with your claims, may I humbly ask you to STFU about this already. Finish your upgrades, and finish your testing to Master AGT - Oceans, and you can call yourself whatever it is that you want to be.<br><br>As for the super multi purpose support vessel that you anticipate captaining, or the converted sulphur tankers that are going to be the new large OSV’s…the MPSV and Dive Support vessels that HOS purchased will most likely remain foreign flagged as their contemporaries that are now in the GOM, and the sulphur tanker conversion is also running into it’s own snags meeting OPA '90 criteria for their new mission as mud boats…because, they’re not OSV’s, their tankships that have to meet double hull standards. <br><br>Best of luck to you…<br></strong>

STCW may be changed soon and has full backing from the Coast Guard regarding the newer larger OSVs, which will be called Super I class vessels. Specifically, Capt. Mike Blair “Director of Commercial Regulations & Standards (CG-52)” at USCG Headquarters is leading this from the regulatory side. Capt. Blair only has 5 bosses and the 5th is the president.<br><font face=“Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif” size=2><br></font>
<P align=left><font face=“Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif” size=2>This is in regard to the IMO meeting in London on the 3rd of this month. I’m curious to know how this turned out.<br><br>“The United States is suggesting that IMO create a special category for offshore vessels and for the creation of specific training requirements. OMSA worked with the Coast Guard to develop this proposal as a way to better represent the level of training needed for offshore vessels. OMSA’s position has been that the industry is operating at a very high level of safety and training and that many of the requirements of STCW do not apply to the types of vessels involved in offshore operations. OMSA President Ken Wells will serve as a member of the U.S. delegation at the London session. Special recognition should go to Greg Szczurek of Houston Marine for his extensive analysis of the STCW proposals and in helping to shape OMSA’s positions on those proposals”<br>OMSA website<br></font><font face=“Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif” size=2><br><br></P></font>

Anchorman, thanks for weighing in with some timely input. <br><br>Yes, the IMO did convene the 39th Session of the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping during the period from the 3rd to the 7th of March in London. During this session, they undertook a number of issues, some of which was a continuation from their session in Copenhagen last October, which is obviously still under discussion. One of the other major items of business that is being undertaken, is the Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention, and STCW Code. Granted, one of the items most likely discussed was expanding the code to allow other classes of licensure, and it allowed the delegates - including Greg Sczurek and the OMSA entourage - to air this concern, along with several hundred others that are being wrangled around for an updated STCW Code. Of one thing we can be sure; IMO, and the STCW Subcommittee will undertake a revision with due diligence, and careful review and debate. And much like STCW 95, may have it ready for the turn of the decade for implementation. Just like it’s parent body, the U.N., layers of governance and obfuscation take time to permeate down to the laymen, and in this case, maritime professional. I truly hope they make better headway than they have in the past, but history is against them. Of course, once they’re done with their review, it’ll be open season on new standards here, and public comment periods galore. So, I suppose we can all agree that change is in air, but what, 5 years away from implementation being liberal in it’s application? I’d like to hear your thoughts…<br><br>Please note the IMO Secretary-General’s opening remarks here -<br><strongr style=“font-family: yui-tmp;]<a target=”_blank" href="http://www.imo.org/about/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1696&doc_id=9060]http://www.imo.org/about/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1696&doc_id=9060<br><br><span style="font-family: Arial;]As to the current case in point that Ironhorse was alluding to, no such license currently exists within the CFR’s, nor has such a license been authorized by any governing body, let alone the IMO, and it’s STCW Subcommittee.</span><strongr style="font-family: Arial;]<strongr style="font-family: Arial;]<span style="font-family: Arial;]Once again, if Ironhorse has been issued such a license, or has been handed approval in the form of an evaluation with this printed on it, I for one, would like to see it. <br><br>Capt. Lee found a way to put his documents up for cursory examination, Ironhorse can do the same IMHO so we can put this dog to bed.<br><br></span><strongr style="font-family: Arial;]<strongr style="font-family: Arial;]<span style="font-family: Arial;]Regards, and Fair Winds and Following Seas…</span></strongr></strongr></strongr></strongr></strongr>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=“100%” border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR class=listItem id=listOdd>
<TD>Credential Status</TD>
<TD>ISSUED</TD></TR>
<TR class=listItem id=listEven>
<TD vAlign=top>Transaction Type</TD>
<TD>GRADE RAISE</TD></TR>
<TR class=listItem id=listOdd>
<TD vAlign=top ?>Status Information</TD>
<TD>The credential you have applied for has been delivered to you on March 24, 2008. Please allow approximately 2-4 business days for U.S.P.S. 1st class mail delivery.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>According to this my Documents have been issued. In the Mail, on the way. So far it has been 3 weeks and 1 day. If all documents are correct and they arrive with in the next couple of days I think I can live with these turn around times.

I just received my endorsement and new stcw certificate in the mail and everything was correct. I have to say that the service and turnaround time is much improved over my previous experiences. 23 days from the time they received the application. Not bad at all.<br>Doc

Well I know I am asking a lot, but there was a small mistake on my credential and it relates to OSV licensing and how it is written differently everytime I submit my license for something. Even if it has nothing to do with the OSV license, like this time. I send my upgrade in for 2nd mate AGT. Well that comes back fine, but my OSV says Master OSV limited to 500 tons domestic and doesn’t say anything about ITC. You can look at this two ways, since there is not a tonnage limitation on my STCW you would think that I am covered, but why put any limitation at all. If you are going to put a limitation then let it state 500 tons domestic 6000 tons ITC or just Master OSV. I am befuddled. I will be happy when I get my Master’s license and not have to deal with this everytime I sneeze. Now what will happen is I will get an endorsement sheet to be carried with my license. I may not even say anything afraid to what I will get back this time. On the bright side I did get my upgrade in under a month. This bothers me though that I am happy to get this back in under a month. This type of transaction was handled in the past immediately. Sometimes same day service. Post 911 Coast Guard will never be the same and that is something that we all have to deal with.

Lee,<br>I’m not familiar with your license, let me ask: your license allows you to be the Master of an “OSV” but not small coastal merchant or research vessel? If the answer to my question is “correct”, why didn’t you get a straight Master 1600GRT/3000GT-ITC when you did your 2nd Mate AGT test/license? Or have things changed?

Jeffrox-I do have a 1600GRT/3000 ITC. I had that before I had the OSV license. I actually have 4 licenses total. I have the Master OSV, I have the Master of towing upon Oceans and Western Rivers and I have the 2nd Mate AGT. All of it doesn’t even fit on the front. I think I could have done what you are saying at that time if I had not had it already though.

Lee,<br>Ok, if you have the 1600/3000 master why do you need the OSV master. Can’t the tonnage be increased on the 1600/3000?