it is so damn confusing!
I miss the old system.
My interpretation of the PROPOSED changes is that 1600 Master trumps 2nd Mate. Part of my reasoning for this is the hiarchy diagram (11.404)
11.405(a) Requires all the classes if you have not already completed them, and ALL the assesments. These appear to be the same 9 classes that have been in place while the interim rules were in affect.
Apparently if you had your 2nd Mate ticket prior to 2002,and therefore never took the 9 classes they want you to complete them.
11.405 (b) Requires the 5 classes listed and the APPLICABLE assesments.
So if you have the time on your 1600 Master you only have to take the 5 classes.
Therefore it would be to your advantage if you had your 2nd Mate ticket prior to 2002 and hold a 1600 Master ticket, to crossover as a 1600 Master and complete only the 5 classes.
This is only my opinion,and no one can be sure until the new regs are in force and the boys at NMC have a chance to interpret them a few dozen different ways. 
If anyone else has a different interpretation I am interested to see the error of my ways 
“[I]When your only tool is a hammer,every problem looks like nail”[/I]
[I]Anonymous[/I]
Try and get a 2nd mate’s job that 1600 ton ticket and let us know how it goes.