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Breezy,
I forgot to mention that since your upgrade falls under the new system, you will have to submit a training record book attesting to completion of the long list of proficiencies required before you can be issued your 2nd's ticket.
Those proficiencies must be signed off by a "designated examiner" who has a license equal to or higher than yours and it is highly unlikely that you will find yourself working on a yacht with a master who holds an unlimited ticket, there are a few but not many.
Unless the yacht is >1600 GRT you will not meet the requirements for an unlimited 2nd's. Finding time and money to attend classes to satisfy the proficiency requirements for upgrade is problematic unless you are independently wealthy.
I don't mean to sound negative but the reality of the yacht industry is that it is based on limited licenses which require virtually no seatime and are therefore very limited in value outside the yacht world. A boxboat AB requires more sea time and qualifications than most "big" yacht tickets.
The yacht industry offers a great deal of satisfaction in many ways but to place yourself in the best position to obtain that satisfaction and protect your future value, you must avoid the trap of the "yacht license." You already have the foundation on which to build a good career in either market. Until you have the unlimited 2nd and 1600 ton master though you will not have much to offer and a (no pun intended) very limited future at sea or ashore if you are among the few who remain in the industry. Few shipping companies have much interest in a resume developed in the leisure maritime sector.
Good luck
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