[QUOTE=0rion;144868]So, if he has a combination of sea days thats ranges from before and after the rules came in effect can he pick what rules he wants to go under? Or he has to use the old rules because his first day of service was before the changes? And if he can pick what rules apply, does he has to specify it in the application? The changes were not that big, but some people with 3rd mates tickets start in the industry as A/B on tug boats and most of those tugs are under 200 GT. The new rules lets you use sea days over 100GT, and thats something BIG for people out there. At least for some of those tug boat guys with 3rd mate tickets.[/QUOTE]
See NVIC 2-14. You are eligible for grandfathering if you began service or training for the endorsement you are applying for before March 24, 2014. In this case, all of the time needed for 2nd Mate has to be while holding 3rd Mate, so anythinig before getting 3rd Mate cannnot be used, and thus you cannot begin service for 2nd Mate before you had 3rd Mate.
I am not saying that the lowering of the minimum tonnage was not substantial, and revised my original post to clarify the limited scope of my response. My response was to “t.mcg” and nothing in his question suggested that the chnage in the minuimum tonnage from 200 GRT to 100 GRT applies to him/her.
As to whether you can choose, read the NVIC. For some chnages, like lowering the minimum tonnage, you don’t have to choose, we will use the new, lower standard for everyone.