100ton-200ton + ab confusion

[Robert Freeman]

I have a 100 ton master near coastal license right now. I just went to the downeast maritime acadamy to get my ab unlimited and while I was at it I tested and passed my assistance tow and aux sail.My 100ton is up for my 2nd renewal as of sept(i'm in my grace period). I just recieved my twic card and drug test and after my final lifeboat test at maine maritime on the 21st of october I plan on sending it all in with physical exam and all.
Here's the scenerio: I got my 100ton and a few yrs later started running a commercial fishing vessel for 8 yrs with a reg 98 gross ton. I then had a falling out with the owners because of regulations and such and I quit to run another fishing vessel for 6 months with a gross ton of 115 and then 3 months another vessel at 130 tons. The question: Do i qualify for a 200 ton license and if so do I need to take the test again or is it a tonnage thing? As far as the sea time for the aux sail I am using seatime on my 45ft steel sailboat I own but have a ASA bareboat license also and should I even bother to show that? The seatime form says the master can sign for you but what if I was the master and not owner(fishing vessel) is that a problem. I have 9 yrs of NMFS trip reports that I had to log as by law that shows the day I left port with time,area,duration,date landed,etc.It is a federal log so i would hope that would suffice because I would rather not speak to my old boss. The instructors at Down East Maritime were great and they just got approved for a 200 ton class. I was told it was the same as 100ton but I need to do stability and navigation again. What is the real story because they were not sure at first? did something change? did they make new rules or am I grandfathered in?

CONFUSED IN PORTLAND,MAINE Robert Freeman

[Jeffrox]

I wondering what kind of trouble you've bought yourself by running "fishing vessel for 6 months with a gross ton of 115 and then 3 months another vessel at 130 tons" with only a 100 ton license.

[Shellback]

Robert here is a link that will help you get started..Then continue reading below.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...2002&TYPE=TEXT



http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/M..._Checklist.pdf this check list will lay it all out for you...

Here's the scenerio: I got my 100ton and a few yrs later started running a commercial fishing vessel for 8 yrs with a reg 98 gross ton. I then had a falling out with the owners because of regulations and such and I quit to run another fishing vessel for 6 months with a gross ton of 115 and then 3 months another vessel at 130 tons. The question:

Jeffrox already addressed the issue of operating a vessel without the proper license..This is out of my area.. I would investigate this thoroughly and be very careful what I submitted to the CG ,once you sign the app., that the following is true, then thats your word...If you submit those logs with those tonnages and you were the skipper, then that can be a very real problem...


Do i qualify for a 200 ton license and if so do I need to take the test again or is it a tonnage thing?

No, not yet...The test you must take is the 100-200 ton upgrade..There are several things that are similar to the original 100 Ton test but stability and chart navigation will be a part as well..The course will run 4-5 days....

Tonnage will play apart in the final determination too ,look at that second link, it explains it all there......Off the hip, I 'm pretty sure you will need sometime over 150 tons..The licenses are in 50 ton increments up to 200 Tons..when I upgraded mine I was on a 300 ton boat and I didn't have to deal with this issue..
You will need 90 days recency in the last 3 years however..





As far as the sea time for the aux sail I am using seatime on my 45ft steel sailboat I own but have a ASA bareboat license also and should I even bother to show that?

In my opinion the ASA bareboat certificate will not mean much to the CG,I believe the requirement for aux sail is 1 year and it will be either added to your 100 ton or go up, when you get the 200 ton..




The seatime form says the master can sign for you but what if I was the master and not owner(fishing vessel) is that a problem. I have 9 yrs of NMFS trip reports that I had to log as by law that shows the day I left port with time,area,duration,date landed,etc.It is a federal log so i would hope that would suffice because I would rather not speak to my old boss. The instructors at Down East Maritime were great and they just got approved for a 200 ton class. I was told it was the same as 100ton but I need to do stability and navigation again.


What is the real story because they were not sure at first?

They are approved for a course and they aren't sure what you need? wow..!

did something change? did they make new rules or am I grandfathered in?

CONFUSED IN PORTLAND,MAINE Robert Freeman

[Mr 100-ton]

look at mpt.com website. there 200 ton master/mate upgrade is only 1 week. I took it there last year, a little different than the 100 ton master class but i found it easier, as far as stability goes, they were EASY question that you went over in class,,, easiest class I ever took, passed the test in only 20 minutes

[gltqm]

To upgrade a Master 100GRT license to 200GRT, you must show 360 (8-hour) days of service since obtaining your 100GRT license. For Near Coastal, of the 360 days, the breakdown must generally be as follows:
if 180 days is over 100 GRT you will get a Master 150GRT;
if all 360 days is over 67 GRT you will get a Master 150GRT;
if 180 days is over 150 GRT you will get a Master 200GRT;
if all 360 days is over 100 GRT you will get a Master 200GRT.
Hope this helps.

[Robert Freeman]

as for running fishing vessels i can run any vessel under 200 gross tonnage even if i didn't even have a license to drive a car. the only thing you need to run a fishing vessel is a commercial operators permit and a owner willing to let you take it. There are no fishing vessels where you need to have any kind of coast guard license until you get 200ton or more.You can get a commercial operators permit with a passport photo 5 questions about rules of landing fish a letter and a stamp.It's a shame because i've seen greedy owners let true idiots leave the harbor. There is no drug testing required either at least none i've seen minus a few big scallop companys. A coast guard captain's license doesn't make you a captain it tells people that you passed a written test that says your a captain. My 20yr old brother has one and i won't let him drive me to the end of the street in a car let alone a boat! lol
thanx everyone for the information Rob

[Jeffrox]

"There are no fishing vessels where you need to have any kind of coast guard license until you get 200ton or more".

Hmmm, That's not true...
So I take it you were stirctly "just fishing" and never carrying passengers for charter. Cuz then you DO need a license.

If what you do requires no license, why do you have one and want to increase the scope? Planning a career move I guess?

[guavakai]

Hey there Robert, not sure how much sea time you have. You should read the cfrs on the regs for upgrades. I was in similar a situation. I had been running comm. fishing boats for a long time, most just under 200 tons. I just finished up all the classes I needed, and now approved to sit for my 1600 ton masters. I would advise you to know as much as you can before your application goes in because I found out first hand that west Virginia doesn't know how to read them. They should be doing some firing in WV!!!
Now as long as I can find a job, maybe I can find out what it is like to get paid without the pressures of Gov't allowing you to catch a fish.
Good luck

[anchorman]

There is no drug testing required

I wonder if that's why they never answer the f%$^ing radio!