[QUOTE=RubberRhib888;184742]If you sail on an Intercon ATB and the tug is 299 GRT and the barge is 16,149 GRT…is there anyway to upgrade from 3/M AGT to 2/M AGT? The total tonnage combined is clearly over 10,000. Obviously we push and are connected to the barge via the Intercon system. I guess 1200 psi at the coupling and able to take 25 foot seas is not considered rigid…right? The NMC said only half of the time would count because the tug is “not inspected”. But the funny thing is, a USCG CWO just came aboard and “inspected” the vessel for a UTV (uninspected towing vessel) inspection.[/QUOTE]
The regulation for ATB service is essentially the same as I described above for the combined tonnage of a tug and tow. See 46 CFR 11.211(d):
[I]Service on Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs) and Integrated Tug Barges (ITBs). Service on ATB or Dual Mode ITB units is creditable for an original deck officer endorsement or raise of grade of any deck officer endorsement. Service on an ATB or Dual Mode ITB with an aggregate tonnage of 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT or more is creditable on a two-for-one basis (2 days experience equals 1 day of creditable service) for up to 50 percent of the total service on vessels of 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT or more required for an unlimited officer endorsement. The remaining required service on vessels of more than 1,600 GRT/3,000 GT must be obtained on conventional vessels or Push Mode ITBs.[/I]
Inspection status is irrelevant.
[QUOTE=Traitor Yankee;184744]Uninspected towing vessel inspections…one of my favorite contradictions in terms.[/QUOTE]
Mine is an unlimited endorsement with a tonnage limitation. When I can give the explanations above without having to suppress laughter I will know I have been here too long and should retire.