Recognition of old licenses.
Section 11
SECTION. 11. Recognition of old licenses.—All existing licenses as master, mate, or engineer in the coastwise trade shall entitle the holder to navigate on the high seas, and to apply for the proper certificate without necessity of further requirements, except the payment of fees as established in section sixteen of this Act. Any person holding a license as river and harbor engineer may request the exchange thereof for a certificate as fourth engineer and shall be entitled to promotion, upon examination, as in this Act provided, if he is duly qualified. Certificates as master and mate on all seas shall authorize the holder to navigate in the coastwise trade. The certificate of marine engineer of any class provided in this section shall authorize the holder thereof to navigate on all seas and in ships of any tonnage. The existing patron's licenses shall continue in force and effect, and new patron's licenses may be issued in the same manner as heretofore, and the holders thereof shall have the same rights and duties as they have at present.