Fastest route to Master Unlimited

**yeltetz** · October 1st, 2011, 12:55 AM

Hi everyone

New member here, I am currently 20 and my dad has a job for me which requires Certified Master Unlimited.
I was wondering what is the fastest route to Master unlimited?

Currently I am looking at Australia's Challenger Institute of Technology, 4 months of study then cadetship then 10 months of study to 2nd mate.

http://www.eti.wa.edu.au/tafe-course...eck-cadet.html

If there are any better options, please let me know! thanks

**DeckApe** · October 1st, 2011, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by yeltetz

New member here, I am currently 20 and my dad has a job for me which requires Certified Master Unlimited.
I was wondering what is the fastest route to Master unlimited?

In the United States it takes roughly six years of working at sea to reach unlimited master. That six years does not include time off for family/holiday, training or the normal promotion processes.

Normal people take two decades to reach unlimited master even if some few have done it in under 10 years.

**yeltetz** · October 2nd, 2011, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by DeckApe

In the United States it takes roughly six years of working at sea to reach unlimited master. That six years does not include time off for family/holiday, training or the normal promotion processes.

Normal people take two decades to reach unlimited master even if some few have done it in under 10 years.

Where would I start for those 6 years? ( Which Academy or Institution?)

I apologize for posting in the wrong forum, did not notice there was a sub section for maritime training/ academy.

**skycowboy** · October 2nd, 2011, 06:43 AM

I was wondering what is the fastest route to Master unlimited

Interstate 10

**Capt. Lee** · October 3rd, 2011, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by yeltetz

Where would I start for those 6 years? ( Which Academy or Institution?)

I apologize for posting in the wrong forum, did not notice there was a sub section for maritime training/ academy.

It is impossible to do it in 6 years. The fastest route is to go to an academy for four years, sail on an OSV to get 12 hour day credit or straight time on a ship. That would put you at Chief Mate in three years. Then sail on your Chief Mate on an Unlimited vessel for 1 year total sea time, there will not be any 12 hour days. Minimum time to do all this is 8 years from the start of your first day at school with hardly any days off and what days you have off will be spent in one class or another. It took me 12 years, but I went a different route.

**Capt. Phoenix** · October 3rd, 2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Capt. Lee

It is impossible to do it in 6 years. The fastest route is to go to an academy for four years, sail on an OSV to get 12 hour day credit or straight time on a ship. That would put you at Chief Mate in three years. Then sail on your Chief Mate on an Unlimited vessel for 1 year total sea time, there will not be any 12 hour days. Minimum time to do all this is 8 years from the start of your first day at school with hardly any days off and what days you have off will be spent in one class or another. It took me 12 years, but I went a different route.

Actually, if you worked straight through on a ship and upgraded asap you would be at chief mate in two years. Then you need to actually be promoted to chief mate and sail another year. Fastest physically possible is three years from graduation or acquisition of a 3m. Likelihood of doing it that fast, about 0.5%...

I would say realistically it will take you 10 - 15 years starting from nothing. Don't expect that job to still be there.

**DeckApe** · October 4th, 2011, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Capt. Lee

It is impossible to do it in 6 years. The fastest route is to go to an academy for four years, sail on an OSV to get 12 hour day credit or straight time on a ship.

If we are talking theoretical possibilities with no chance if working in reality six years is possible. Start off on a time and a half ship as deckhand for 720 real days (1080 days seatime) to get AB-unlimited and hawsepipe to 3/M. That part could be done in just over two years vs four years at academy. A few more years doing 3/M, 2/M, C/M plus time ashore for schools and that would be less than six years.

But this is all talk. No one could do this unless their family owned the shipping company and practiced shameless nepotism.

**Capt. Lee** · October 4th, 2011, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by DeckApe

If we are talking theoretical possibilities with no chance if working in reality six years is possible. Start off on a time and a half ship as deckhand for 720 real days (1080 days seatime) to get AB-unlimited and hawsepipe to 3/M. That part could be done in just over two years vs four years at academy. A few more years doing 3/M, 2/M, C/M plus time ashore for schools and that would be less than six years.

But this is all talk. No one could do this unless their family owned the shipping company and practiced shameless nepotism.

First of all it is 1080 eight hour days or 720 twelve hour days just to get your unlimited AB. After that you must have six months as an AB. Then you have at least four months of school before you can even apply to test. Go ahead and add two months of waiting on NMC and testing. That puts us at three years and this does not include any off time at all. Now the 360 eight hour days to get your second mate and then the same to qualify for chief mate. Add two months messing around with NMC This puts us at five years and two months. Now go to school again for another four months and an additional two months messing with NMC. Now we are at five years eight months. You pass the test and get your chief mate license. Now you need to have a.chief mate position. I can't even estimate how long that may take. It took me over a year to get a position then I had to accumulate my time. Let's not even use that year, you need 360 days to upgrade to unlimited master. Add two months screwing around with NMC and we are at six years ten months. Keep in mind you have not had any off time during this whole period of your life. It is impossible to do this in six years.

**Louis** · October 5th, 2011, 05:12 AM

He can have it tomorrow if he follows the yellow brick road and clicks his heels three times and closes his eyes and says I wish I had unlimited license

**salt'n steel** · October 5th, 2011, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Louis

He can have it tomorrow if he follows the yellow brick road and clicks his heels three times and closes his eyes and says I wish I had unlimited license

Unlimited master is a great accomplishment but without experience and good references it's just a piece of paper. Being entrusted with lives, company reputation and liability is not a automatic.