On Jan 7, 1:05*pm, Joe wrote:

HOwever new TWIC and USCG licensing/medical requirmens have placed
demanding requirmens on new mariners. I doubt someone like yourself
would qualify.

*Your faked stupity is boring

But for some the SIU school is a very easy entrance into
the industry with incredible support from the union. Plus all
education and up grades are free right up to 3M Unlimited 2M CM then
Master. The STCW-95 OICNW classes alone are $20,0000 and 16 weeks
street price.

*The books and study guides can be found free.
You do not have to attened and SIU classes to sit for any mates
tickets.
Joe

To those reading here. Joe is mistaken. If a person wants to sail as a
mate on vessels over 200 grt on Oceans then STCW-95 rules apply.There
are no "test" a person can take to avoid the STCW requirments. This is
know as Officer In Charge Of A Navigation Watch (OICNW) No way round
the 16 weeks of classes and $20,0000 classes unless and employer of
Union pays for them. Ya got to have them because the US agreed to STCW
standards.

What Joe may be refering to is the "good old days" when STCW did not
apply. Now it does. Or he may be thinkgin of the Mate OSV. THe GOM has
its own licensing structure. In the GOM it is relitivly easy to go
from deck AB-OSV ($200-$300 per day) to Mate 1600 grt OSV simply with
360 days on your AB, a few assment check offs, and yes a USCG test.
BUT your 1600 grt Mate-OSV is only good in the oil patch. But heck the
pay for 1600 ton OSV mates run $400-$500 per day. Not a bad way to go.
ANd if an Mate-OSV wants to work outside the GOM they must complete
all STCW-95 OICNW courses and USCG tests.

Joe: Things are changeing in the GOM. I hope you stay current.
Bob