For all who have upgraded or will be upgrading to 500 Master

[C.R_F]

Has anyone questioned the NMC on the requirements for RFPNW Assessments on the 500 Master checklist? Why are they required? There is no supporting regs in the CFR or anywhere else to support this requirement. Info or experiences anyone?

Also, has anyone questioned the need for medical care provider? I have heard through multiple sources (Not the NMC) that this is no longer a requirement.

[Capt. Fran]

It is all about STCW, which pretty much kicks in at the 500 ton level. STCW requires deck ratings to have RFPNW. And, if you have a 500 ton Master, you have to have an AB, and you can't serve as an AB without RFPNW.
Check out Policy Letter 14-02.

[C.R_F]

As far as I can tell STCW for the AB is optional. Not everyone who gets an AB can comply with policy 14-02 and the tonnage requirements for a 500 master are a lot less than the tonnage required for RFPNW.

[Jemplayer]

Hence the reason you have to take the RFPNW class and just have the control sheets signed off.

You are correct in that you can get AB, all you have to have is seatime, BST, and take the AB class and you qualify for AB OSV. If my memory serves me right. You need Lifeboat to get special, and then you have to have RFPNW completed for Limited and Unlimited.

[MaJoX]

I have heard the same thing about the medical care provider, I called and asked the NMC they said they will call me back with the answer.

[MaJoX]

i have heard the same thing about the medical care provider, i called and asked the nmc they said they will call me back with the answer.

the answer is in right from the nmc, medical care provider & flashing are not being required for 500/1600 ton master nc/o !!!!!

[C.R_F]

Great info! I'll be applying soon. Already took flashing light but that'll save some time not having to do MCP.

[chemcarrier]

I upgraded to 500Ton Master in 2009 without Med Care Provider however I know quite a few people that upgraded after me that were required to take it.

[boattrash]

I have received my approval to test. I didn't take the RFPNW class, the checklist says "assessments only". I got a copy of the assessments and had them signed off by a 500T master, they accepted it, thanks chemcarrier.

[join9527]

you can't serve as an AB without RFPNW.

[Mr 100-ton]

Hence the reason you have to take the RFPNW class and just have the control sheets signed off.

You are correct in that you can get AB, all you have to have is seatime, BST, and take the AB class and you qualify for AB OSV. If my memory serves me right. You need Lifeboat to get special, and then you have to have RFPNW completed for Limited and Unlimited.

you can't serve as an AB without RFPNW.


WHO EVER TLD YOU THAT IS 100000 PERCENT WRONG

You can get an AB limited or Unlimited on the great lakes or Inland waters,,,you just can not serve as an AB on a vessel over 200 tons in international waters,,,,RFPNW can NOT be done on inland waters but the time served as an AB in Inland waters will count toward a license,

Do a forum search on RFPNW and you will find the answer and the CFR's that relate to it

[KennyW1983]

the answer is in right from the nmc, medical care provider & flashing are not being required for 500/1600 ton master nc/o !!!!!

Then why is it still on the 500 NC Master checklist??? Thats the only thing holding me up, if I dont have to take it that would be great!!

[ksisk]

Nmc just sent this to me today medical care provider and flashing light no longer needed.

MASTER OF STEAM & MOTOR 500/1600 GRT
UPON OCEANS OR NEAR COASTAL WATERS

NAME: ________________________________ REFERENCE #:______________________ DATE: _____________


General Requirements
Reference:
46 CFR
Division / Branch Responsible
Eval INT
MMC Application Submittal Checklist

REC/NMC-4

TWIC Card (Identification, Fingerprints, Citizenship, Social Security number, etc)
10.203 / 10.207
10.209 / 10.225
10.231
TSA / REC
NMC-4 / SSEB

(V)


PQEB

CG-719B Application
10.209 / 10.225 10.231
REC/NMC-4



PQEB

Explanation for a YES in Section III of CG-719B (if needed)
10.211
REC / SSEB

NDR Consent & Check
10.209 / 10.213
REC / SSEB

Oath (original only)
10.209 / 10.225
REC/NMC-4

3 Letters of Recommendation (original only)
11.205
PQEB

Photograph (supplied by TSA)
10.209
TSA
PQEB
(V)
SSEB Screening complete (Check “Remarks” in MMLD to verify “Safety & Security Check” completed within past 12 months)
10.211 / 10.214
SSEB
PQEB
(V)
Age 21
11.201
PQEB

CG-719K Physical Exam (org 1yr; RIG 3yr)
10.209 / 10.215
10.225 / 10.231
REC / MEB

Medical Tab in MMLD

MEB
PQEB
(V)
Drug Testing Compliance (within 6 months)
10.209 / 10.225
10.231
PQEB

Mariner Fees (in MMLD)
10.219
REC/NMC-4



PQEB

Copy of current credentials (if held)
10.209 / 10.223
10.231
REC/NMC-4



PQEB

Sea Service Letters or Discharges (MUST verify vessels in MISLE)
Received & Entered on Spreadsheet
10.225 / 10.231
11.205 / 11.211
11.213 / 11.304
PQEB

Sea Service Requirements
Reference:
46 CFR
# of Days
Eval INT
Recency – 90 days in the past 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage
11.201


MASTER 1600
46 CFR


1440 days of service on Ocean or Near Coastal waters, OF WHICH:
11.412


Service on Great Lakes & Inland waters MAY substitute for up to 720 days of the required service, AND



720 days of service on vessels over 100 GRT, AND



720 days of service MUST have been as a master, mate; master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, or equivalent supervisory position while holding an endorsement as master, mate, master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, AND



360 days of the service as Master, Mate, or equivalent supervisory position, must have been on vessels over 100 GRT; OR



A Chief Mate or 2nd Mate Oceans/NC over 1600 GRT, is eligible for this endorsement upon completion of a limited examination. If testing for 2ND Mate AGT, must pass 2ND Mate exam(s) including Flashing Light
exam /course first.
11.412


A mariner who qualified for a Mate 500/1600 Near Coastal or Oceans by
completing a CG approved program may raise the grade of their
endorsement to Master 500 Near Coastal or Oceans by providing 360 days of service as Master/Mate on Ocean or Near Coastal vessels while holding an endorsement as such OF WHICH 180 days must be on vessels over 100GRT. This applies to, but is not limited to graduates of programs at Maine Maritime Academy, S.U.N.Y., PMI and MITAGS.



MASTER 500
46 CFR


1080 days of service on Ocean or Near Coastal waters, OF WHICH:
11.418


Service on Great Lakes & Inland waters MAY substitute for up to 540 days of the required service, AND



720 days of service MUST have been as a master, mate; master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, or equivalent supervisory position while holding an endorsement as master, mate, master or mate (pilot) of towing vessels, AND



360 days of the service as Master, Mate, or equivalent supervisory position, must have been on vessels over 50 GRT; OR



360 days as a Master or Mate of Ocean or N/C Towing Vessel and completion of a limited examination (Limited exam allowed for any Master of T/V with or without tonnage limitation)
11.418


A mariner who qualified for a Mate 500/1600 Near Coastal or Oceans by
completing a CG approved program may raise the grade of their
endorsement to Master 1600 Near Coastal or Oceans by providing 360 days of service as Master/Mate on Ocean or Near Coastal vessels while holding an endorsement as such OF WHICH 180 days must be on vessels over 50GRT. This applies to, but is not limited to graduates of programs at Maine Maritime Academy, S.U.N.Y., PMI and MITAGS.



Sail or Auxiliary Sail
46 CFR


360 days on appropriately(50 GRT for Master 500 or 100GRT for Master 1600) sized sail or auxiliary sail vessels, and
11.401


Complete CG exams or Approved course.
11.205


Other Requirements – (includes STCW)
Reference:


First Aid (completed within 1 year) (unless previously met)
11.205
PQEB

CPR (must be valid) (unless previously met)
11.205
PQEB

Approved Basic & Advanced firefighting courses; (unless previously met)
11.205 / 11.401
PQEB

Valid, approved radar observer course (unless previously met)
11.401
PQEB

Qualification as AB Unlimited or Limited (AB Special or AB-OSV satisfy the AB requirement for Officer endorsements permitting service on vessels of 1600 gross tons and less). (see AB checklist); (Exams required)
11.401
PQEB

PSC / Lifeboatman See Lifeboatman/PSC checklist
12.05-3
PQEB

Basic Safety Training; or Continued Competency in BST
11.202
PQEB

Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch – Assessments ONLY
(unless previously met)
12.05-3; 12.05-7
PQEB

Bridge Team Work / Bridge Resource Management (BRM)
(unless previously met)
11.202
PQEB

Automatic Radar-Plotting Aids (ARPA) (Optional)
11.202
PQEB

Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) & FCC lic. (Optional)
11.202
PQEB

EXAMS
see Deck Exam Guide
Reference:

Eval INT
Exam Codes & Credential Testing Comments Entered in MMLD
11.205 / 11.217
PQEB

Exam Scores Entered in MMLD
11.205
REC
PQEB
(V)
(V) = Verified data was entered into MMLD.
MCP-FM-NMC5-67(5)

​

[ksisk]

Kennyw they told me they have not yet had a chance to change the checklist on their web sight.

[mtskier]

Ksisk!,
Holy bat sh*t!!! Thanks for the above post!!!! Did they send it to you electronically or hard copy? Would it be possible to have you send it to me in either form?
THANKS in advice!

[ksisk]

Mt skier I sent new checklist to your email they sent it to me electronically. Nmc told me they have not had a chance to update their site. Looking at their site looks like they still have not done so. I guess we are all just supposed to figure it out on our own. They sure don't make things easy on anyone.