New member dreaming to become an old salt!

[argosail]

Hi all!

I'm a long time lurker here. I'm in my 30s and working in the marine transport business (shoreside).

SUNY Maritime grad and sailed commercially a few years but stopped a decade ago. I have a 3rd mate's unlimited oceans in continuity (it is dormant... ) , wondering if I should resurrect it so I can get my 100 ton captain. I know people sailing for years with NO certs, and others who say you need ASA, 6 pack captain, 100 ton captain, etc.

But being a greenhorn landlubber with papers means zilch. So I hope to find some crewing/deckhand opportunities!

I've lately volunteered at a local schooner school-boat and hopped on friends' sailboats and lived aboard an Irwin 35.5 for a week, but looking for something more serious!

For now my dream is to start with a small liveaboard, a beamy racer/cruiser like a Pearson 28 or Caliber 28, but potentially a slow but steady IP27... and eventually do trans-Atlantic crossings.

I'm in the Philadelphia area but Chesapeake Bay up to NYC is ok for me to hang out with salty people and help out with elbow grease and learn a thing or two!

- John

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, John.

[Pandor]

Welcome, Argo. As far as the license goes, you won’t have any need to pull your 3rd mate out of continuity unless you want to do something commercial. Even if you intend to charter, most companies will accept your expired license along with your relevant experience. No one needs to see a current license.

But if you do want to have a 100 GRT license, it might be a little cheaper to leave your 3M in continuity and apply for a 100 instead. That way you won’t need a current TWIC.

[argosail]

Thanks yeah let me clarify. As per 46 CFR 15.901 (a), the 3rd Mate would count as Master of less than 100 GRT without further endorsement. Ah but this is inspected self-propelled vessels!

Accordingly, I would need to get my sail endorsement as per next paragraph.

(b) An individual holding a license authorizing service as master or mate of inspected, self-propelled vessels is authorized to serve as master or mate, respectively, of non-self-propelled vessels other than SAIL VESSELS, within any restrictions on the individual's license.

In your experience do charter companies explicitly require the sail endorsement?

[Pandor]

So... as a fellow mariner I am aware that your 3M comes with the equivalency for the 100 T. However, most of those associated with the small boat community often are unaware and assume that your unlimited 3M license is a lessor license than a 100 T master simply because of the word "master."

Even though your 3M endorsement covers you as a 100 GRT master, I believe that it is possible for you to request USCG NMC to explicitly add the 100 GRT master endorsement to your MMC in addition to the 3M if you do choose to pull that out of continuity. That way, there is no confusion to those unfamiliar with the CFRs. There would be no extra cost to add the 100 GRT endorsement, but you will have some extra headache/cost to reactivate your 3M.

As far as your lack of auxiliary sail endorsement, it really doesn't matter to a charter company. They want to know that you are capable of sailing and navigating their boats. If you say you graduated from SUNY and show a resume with a couple of similar sized boats, you are golden whether or not you have an active MMC or not.

[Rumrace]

First off OP who you callin old.
You say you’re new I think the sea called you back.
My Dad taught us to sail in the 50’s from a boat he put in a barn for WWII
My Daughter had issues with the second child so I took the Grandson at 4 powerboating and over the years every summer when we switch back to sail. He handled 2 450hp before he got his 9.9 license. A lot of boaters get the sickness from their parents. He’s 15 now handles weather navigation systems like an adult. He was weak on maths at school but brilliant at navigation touch screens etc.
It’s child labour via birth right. He works for wifi juice and buckets of food.
Welcome. We will love and help you with your new boat no matter how ugly it is.
I hope you are afforded the opportunity to grow a family of boat nuts cause that’s how most of us got here. Welcome

[argosail]

Thanks Rumrace! Sounds like you're a super spreader! :O

My last ship was a wastewater tanker ten years ago, it took that long for the smell to go away I guess cos now I'm back, in it to win it!

That being said the only reason I got on the water and attended SUNY was a poster in my guidance counselor's office and was look -oooh boat, water- mind you that was a ship and the first sea term we were wire-wheeling until our ear drums rang and did burn-outs standing on top of those rotating wax machines! How I miss those times!

I think my parents once stepped foot on the circle line or staten island ferry... so... I got no clue but I def love hanging out with weirdos (normal to me)!

Speaking of ugly, I'll make sure I invite you in case I get a suuuuper beautiful Morgan Out Island

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard John! If it were me I'd be working on the sail endorsement. I don't know what charter companies require, but I wish I had gotten my license many years ago. You never know what jobs appear or opportunities will suddenly land in your lap.

[Doraexplorer]

H there,
I just joined this forum today as Im looking to get back into sailing. I recently moved to Puerto Rico from San Diego and I love it here. Nice to meet you. Jennifer