Inland Waters w/Master of Towing vs. Western Rivers

**wxbuoy** · November 28th, 2009, 10:15 AM

New to the forum so thanks for any responses. Have been on Great Lakes since 89' with a variety of vessels, Strait deckers, Self Unloaders, ATB's/ITB's, RV's, I have a Master of Steam and Motor Vssls 1600 Gross Reg Tons (Domestic), 3000 Gross Tons (ITC Tonnage) upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters, Master of Towing vessels upon Grt Lks and Inland Waters; Third Mate Of Steam or Motor vessels of any gross tons upon Near coastal waters. For vessels under 200GRT (Domestic tonnage), 500 GT (ITC Tonnage)on Domestic voyages only, the holder of this license meets the STCW 1995 Regs w/o Further Endorsement. Remainder is Great lakes related pilotage, Radar Observer Unlimited.
How far off the coast can I go with this license and does inland waters overide western Rivers? Slim pickens up on the lakes and need work now and for winter. Thanks in advance!

**10talents** · November 28th, 2009, 01:40 PM

Inland does not include "Western Rivers". Coastal I believe to be up to 200 miles offshore.

**jdcavo** · November 30th, 2009, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

... How far off the coast can I go with this license and does inland waters overide western Rivers? Slim pickens up on the lakes and need work now and for winter. Thanks in advance!

Near Coastal is valid up to 200 miles off shore. But without STCW you'd be limited to domestic voyages and voyages to Canada. Inland is a superior license route to western rivers except for towing vessels, you can't operate a towing vessel on western rivers unless your license specifically includes this route.

**RkyMtn Paul** · December 1st, 2009, 04:09 AM

Out of curiosity, would that domestic include Alaska? Can easily stay w/in 200nm and/or use inland passage. What about Hawaii? Guessing that would be oceans?

**jdcavo** · December 1st, 2009, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by RkyMtn Paul

Out of curiosity, would that domestic include Alaska? Can easily stay w/in 200nm and/or use inland passage. What about Hawaii? Guessing that would be oceans?

Yes, by the inside passage. By MOU with Canada if your credentials are valid within the U.S., they are OK in Canada.

**Tom_Tugboat** · December 1st, 2009, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by jdcavo

Yes, by the inside passage. By MOU with Canada if your credentials are valid within the U.S., they are OK in Canada.

I believe an Inland license would have to have the Treaty Waters language to run Inside Passage into Alaska, otherwise it has to be near coastal.

Funny that the Treaty Waters language is directly lifted from load-line regulations.

**wxbuoy** · December 1st, 2009, 01:00 PM

Thank you for the valuable input. Now I just need a co. that would run near coastal West Coast to Alaska! STCW upgrades are close to $11k for me to get further offshore. Will keep on rowing! Thanks again.