Towing endorsement

**Fulltime** · August 2nd, 2011, 05:44 PM

I recently had an issue with receiving my MMC. I renewed last year and received the MMC and it appeared correct but i did not notice that the western rivers portion of my towing license was missing. I called the NMC and explained the problem and they had no problem sending me the corrected sticker that includes the proper western rivers endorsement. Upon receiving the sticker I received three stickers one for the western rivers one that says II/2 and another that says master valid for service on uninspected towing vessel upon oceans and western rivers.

Now I am confused as to the uninspected part. I currently have a 1600 master oceans and master of towing upon oceans, first class pilot. along with the stcw codes II/2, II/4, VI/1, V1/2, VI/3, VI/4, VI/5.

Why wopuld they only send a sticker that says II/2 and the other sticker that states the uninspected towing vessels when my current license states Master towing vessels. Is there another portion of the towing license that I am not aware of? Anyone else have this on there license?

May be Mr. Cavo could shed some light on it. By the way Mr. Cavo you signed my Designated examiner certificate!

Any info would be great ,
Mike

**Sukker** · August 2nd, 2011, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by Fulltime

Now I am confused as to the uninspected part.

Why wopuld they only send a sticker that says II/2 and the other sticker that states the uninspected towing vessels when my current license states Master towing vessels. Is there another portion of the towing license that I am not aware of? Anyone else have this on there license?

Any info would be great ,
Mike

I have this on my license also and am very interested to hear what the answer is.

**dougpine** · August 2nd, 2011, 07:26 PM

Won't matter as soon as Subchapter M is law.

**Sukker** · August 3rd, 2011, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by dougpine

Won't matter as soon as Subchapter M is law.

So did we get screwed by the NMC or not?

**Fulltime** · August 3rd, 2011, 07:43 AM

I called the NMC and question the issue of the uninpsected port of the towing license on the stcw and they told me that I am valid for service as master of towing and valid for service as master of uninspected towing vessels. Very confusing as he stated that I could do both if going beyond the boundry line and if the vessel going beyond the boundry line is inspected my domestic license would cover also. Does anyone know if the uninspected can be removed as the coast guard states that is the way it should be. It just sounds suspect to me.

**dougpine** · August 3rd, 2011, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Fulltime

It just sounds suspect to me.

At the present time there is a type of vessel known as an uninspected towing vessel. If you hold a Master of Towing, you're good to go on uninspected tugs up to 200 GRT. If you also hold an inspected license, you can operate uninspected towing vessels up to the tonnage limitation of your inspected license and you can operate inspected vessels too. You can also operate uninspected fishing or passenger vessels.

When uninspected towing vessels become inspected towing vessels, as is going to happen, they'll get rid of the "uninspected towing vessels" language on your MMC because then there won't be any such thing as an uninspected towing vessel.

There's no conspiracy, nothing has changed, it isn't suspect. Relax.