50 Ton master to 3rd Mate Unlimited

[JasonGreene]

My 50 ton master license is coming due for renewal soon enough. I am currently in school to get my 3rd Mate Unlimited. Should I bother renewing my 50 ton? Im not using it in school right now. Can I still run charter boats when I get back home with my 3rd Mate license, if I let my 50 ton master license lapse? Might be a stupid question, but thanks for any info!

Jason

[Capt. Phoenix]

Any holder of a mate license over 200 grt is allowed to be master of vessels less than 100 grt, within the restrictions of their mate license (inland, nc, oceans).

[Capt Leigh]

If there is any doubt that you will pass soon, I wouldn't let the license expire, too cheap to renew,could be expensive not to have it if something goes wrong with the class, testing,issuance etc.
Just my advice, YMMV.....

[Capt. Phoenix]

Agreed. You never know what will happen, plan for the worst. I keep my CDL even though I haven't used it in 7 years (and moving to 4 different states in that time).

[rwells78]

Yes keep the Master, but bump the tonnage up to at least 100 tons (no test) or to 150 tons (test required). While the USCG will let a 3rd Mate "serve as" a Master 100, many companies will NOT let you sail without the USCG paper in hand.

[Capt. Phoenix]

Yes keep the Master, but bump the tonnage up to at least 100 tons (no test) or to 150 tons (test required). While the USCG will let a 3rd Mate "serve as" a Master 100, many companies will NOT let you sail without the USCG paper in hand.

It is not a matter of them "letting" anything. It is in the CFR and the coast guard can't stop you if they wanted to. Legally a 3m is a master "less than 100 tons". And they didn't like to print on your license 100 ton master if you had a 500 ton mate or higher (unless your 100 ton was a superior route to the 500 ton). When I upgraded to 500 ton mate nc my 100 ton master disappeared.