[NYCAP123]

Believe me, a trip to Staten Island takes no less time than a trip to the CG in Manhattan, and everything taught in the STCW I learned through OJT (except for the wine class). Unfortunately, too many consider that experience and the Minimun Safe Manning Certificate as the recommended level of staffing.
I read as part of a thread here recently about a charter yacht that was lost to a laundry room fire. It was cited that the captain was overworked and tired because he didn't have enough crew, the crew he had lacked experience and the vessel was maintained to minimum standards by investor owners. No fault was found though because it was noted that this is the situation throughout the industry at this time.
I'm not against licensing. I'm not against security. I'm certainly not against education. I just think that the process needs to be streamlined and more credit be given to experience. The original poster to this thread is over the hill in this business...He should be sought out and begged to bring his experience on board even if he doesn't know how to make a perfect martini.