Should I get my DP cert or my 1600 ton mates ticket ?

[Boatswain Rick]

Hey Fellow Mariners:
I am new to the site and need some advice.
I have somewhat of a dilema on my plate. I am in need of a little more money and am trying to decide weather to get my DP cert. which once aquired will be no problem landing a DP job. Or should I go for my 1600 ton mates ticket. The only problem with this is that the Gulf of Mexico busted and the results of getting a 1600 ton mates job may be somewhat hard to get. I know most of you are thinking why not go for my 3rd. mates ticket? The problem with this is that I just dont have the money to get it. I am thinking that if I get a reasonably priced ticket like the 1600 ton mates or a DP it would be easier to get the money together to get my 3rd. mates. I have been working off shore for 16 years and am sailing as Boatswain on a production ship. Seatime is not a problem for any which way I decide to go.
So please let me know what I should do and explain why?
Thank You
Boatswain Rick

[Mr 100-ton]

500/1600/3rdmate are all the same requirements EXCEPT for seatime, the same test, classes, assessments,,,,DP is a 1 week school for basic then 1 week for advanced after 30 days than 180 days till you get your certificate.1600 mate INLAND requires almost no classes

look at NMC we site and go to the checklist,,,it will help you out lots

[anchorman]

Exactly. 1600 ton Mate will be the same $$$ as the 3rd.

[Mr 100-ton]

I thought I just said that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,stay off my thread skipper!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O wait,,,, I am not baldy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[water]

Have you researched the requirements to get a DP certificate?

1. Basice DP class
2. 30 days on watch on a DP vessel & required assessments
3. Advanced DP class
4. 180 days on watch on a DP vessel

Do you have options for getting your DP time in in order to qualifiy for certification?

[Shellback]

I am thinking that if I get a reasonably priced ticket like the 1600 ton mates

I wish there was such a thing..Having a company that helps pay or just picks up the tab would be great...

Are you talking about an OSV Mates license?

[Mr 100-ton]

OSV mates license requires a company that has a program that gives you a trade restricted license for OSV only,,,,,,,,minimum seatime and school time

[Shellback]

OSV mates license requires a company that has a program that gives you a trade restricted license for OSV only,,,,,,,,minimum seatime and school time

Ya , thats what I thought ..The company would pick up the tab in that scenario too..

[Mr 100-ton]

depends on the company,,,,most are just assessments that you need to get,,,,,,,about 7 classes I think,,,houston marine has a program i think,,, they are located in new orleans,

[DpDave]

You say that you are sailing as bos'n, from that I would infer that you do not currently hold a license of any sort. From what I have seen in the 10 years or so that I have had an Unlimited DP ticket, that will be a real handicap. In the current budget climate, most cmpanies are not wanting to have people attached to the bridge team that are incapable of standing an OIC watch. My advice is firmly on getting the license first, then possibly finding a company that will pay for the DP.

Good luck with it.

[Mr 100-ton]

I think in 2012 they are changing the requirements that you must have a mariner license to get a dp certificate,,,

[Boatswain Rick]

Thank you all for your replies, I should have said my 500/1600 ton osv mate. With osv there are not many classes that need to be taken. I did ask the company with some help, I even asked if they would at least pay for my hotel stays. The only responce I got was "I will check into it" that was six months ago. I am on a production ship that just stays on DP, we have another 6 years of DP at this location before the well runs dry. So the opportunity is there for getting signed off. BUT it is also an unlimited ship, which sucks balls for me. The Coasties have done nothing but make it harder for mariners like myself trying to upgrade. I should have done it years ago, but was a little too hard on myself as far as testing goes and wanting to ace everything. I never even took a Coast Guard test due to the simple fact of failing the damn thing. What a way to go huh. That pussy attitude I have has gotten me nowhere though, it has been 16 years and counting and here I am still a glorified AB Unlimited aka bosun.
My wife is even aking me if I should just stop going to sea and get a land based job, kickin gravel. I have thought about it but then I would be throwing away 16 years of life at sea. It would have been for nothing. I cant do that, so my only option is to bite the bullet and go for it. If I fail then I fail, at least I can say I tried. So I have decided to go for my license instead of my DP cert. Now I guess my next step is to try and get a loan from the bank.
Once again thank you all for you input.

[Mr 100-ton]

never to late,,,,,take about 6 months for the classes for a unrestricted license,,, then you have to test,,,,,if you work on a 60/30 schedule you can do it in 2 years but have no other life other than going to work and school,,,,,,cut down on expenses while in school, I slept in a campground for 2 weeks in a tent to save money,,,who cares,,, i go camping in the everglades anyway,,it can be done, it is lots of hard work but,,,personallly if you can might want to do the schooling in 2 different parts,,, take 3 months off at a time and do it in a year that way, I would have trouble going to 6 months straight school

[anchorman]

Thank you all for your replies, I should have said my 500/1600 ton osv mate. With osv there are not many classes that need to be taken. I did ask the company with some help, I even asked if they would at least pay for my hotel stays. The only responce I got was "I will check into it" that was six months ago. I am on a production ship that just stays on DP, we have another 6 years of DP at this location before the well runs dry. So the opportunity is there for getting signed off. BUT it is also an unlimited ship, which sucks balls for me. The Coasties have done nothing but make it harder for mariners like myself trying to upgrade. I should have done it years ago, but was a little too hard on myself as far as testing goes and wanting to ace everything. I never even took a Coast Guard test due to the simple fact of failing the damn thing. What a way to go huh. That pussy attitude I have has gotten me nowhere though, it has been 16 years and counting and here I am still a glorified AB Unlimited aka bosun.
My wife is even aking me if I should just stop going to sea and get a land based job, kickin gravel. I have thought about it but then I would be throwing away 16 years of life at sea. It would have been for nothing. I cant do that, so my only option is to bite the bullet and go for it. If I fail then I fail, at least I can say I tried. So I have decided to go for my license instead of my DP cert. Now I guess my next step is to try and get a loan from the bank.
Once again thank you all for you input.

The OSV mate training program requires dock maneuvers, securing and getting underway - in the context of doing it unsupervised other than being "observed" by an assessor. Just that evolution has to be done (6) times - hard to do that on location. There are several more repetitive assessments that encompass the program. It does take time to get practical experience and proficiency to the level of being assessed. Bridge Team Management, GMDSS, Radar (Arpa ifthe vessel is equipped), Advanced Fire Fighting, Flashing Light, Medical Care Provider, the assessment program, and a test at an REC sums up the basics of the program....I may have left something out.

Have you though about going the crane operator route? For instance, I have a pretty good deck crew, some newer guys, some of the more seasoned type - AB unlimited guys like yourself. As far as my guys, they have a few choices - deck officer, engine officer, or crane operator. I generally try to get the deck guys to gravitate toward the crane, if I know they can do it, but for whatever reason never got a license. Crane operators are $550 +/day....not bad for only needing a crane card that cost $299 at the most.

[Boatswain Rick]

Anchorman:
I have my crane operator cert. Who do you work for that pays that much for crane operators? That is tempting as hell!!

[Mr 100-ton]

I have my crane operator cert. Who do you work for that pays that much for crane operators? That is tempting as hell!!


transocean and noble are the 2 that come to mind but there are many others

[tengineer]

Any rig or drillship has cranes, anywhere from 2 up. Most of the better drilling companies want two certified crane operators on each watch. It's a good job, pays well and can lead to either a high paying drilling job or a mediocre paying mate position [ I think mates are underpaid, relatively speaking]. The better companies pay for your training and pay your day rate while training once you want to move up or over.
Crane operator is a good way to get in the door.

[skycowboy]

I think Crane Operator is one of those deals that everybody wants you to have experience, but nobody will give you a chance to get experience.

[KennyW1983]

I think Crane Operator is one of those deals that everybody wants you to have experience, but nobody will give you a chance to get experience.

That sounds like any position except deckhand these days.