I am 21 years old and finishing up college in the near future, and have always had a passion for being on the water. I am planning on getting my STCW immediately and looking for work as a deckhand. Ultimately though I would like to become a captain, and would be looking to get my 50GT(and working my way up) pretty soon as well. Does anyone have any advice for me on going from deckhand to captain as far as time frame and experience, as well as any courses I should be looking at?
You will advance further based on tonnage of vessels you accrue your seatime on. If this is going to be your career path, you would do well to research the CFR's, and info on the USCG licensing webpages. Find the answers for yourself rather than relying on someone else's information that may not be correct.