As Katy was kind enough to point out I do hold a 100 ton license and use it
on occasion in a professional commercial way. However I'm currently
working as An Able Bodied Seaman (Limited) on a largish freighter of some
960 feet. Found out there's much more money as a full time deck hand on the
big boys than as an occasional delivery skipper or party boat operator.
(Full time good size pay check, meals, cabin, etc. etc. and insurance all
included) The main reason though was to fund the purchase of a new and bit
larger boat which now is paid for in full. Next phase is the refit/upgrade
to full cruising status and that will be done about midway through next
year. The job does have it's negatives as well as postives though. Gone
four to six months at a time might be construed as a negative unless in the
absence you lose something that really was a negative.Thereby proving what
my old science teacher taught us. Two negatives make a positive. Don't
worry 'bout it.

By the way I changed the email address and Rick I can't get yours to work.
Do you remember the young guy Chris on the misc.transport.marine newsgroup.
The one that wanted to know about going to sea? He followed our sage advice
and ended up being on this ship as an OS when I arrived in Diego Garcia some
months ago. Said to say thank you for everyone's help. He's now doing
AB/Lifeboatman school and I suspect will end up going for a Third's ticket.

Cheers!

Michael