MaritimeLicensing.com

OK, I just have to get on my “Soap Box” again.

I will be the first to say that I am not always the brightest bulb in the package, sometimes I feel 2 sandwiches short of a picnic; some days I could not get out of my own way; I’m 4 cards short of a strait; 2 bricks short of a full load, (you get the picture) but damn it all, 99.999% of the time “common sense” wins out for me.  However, it seems that, once again, “Common Sense” and the Federal Government (NMC) has butted heads, like two rutting mountain goats, and STUPID has floated to the top.

Here is the latest.  Because of NMC’s lack of understanding their own requirements and the REC’s oversight of not saying “original sighted”, I have purchased a stamp that I will be putting on all future copies that I make for my customers to take to the CG-REC that says;

COPY

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS SIGHTED BY_________________

ON THIS DATE___________. 

I cannot sign this because, according to NMC, “I am not qualified”.  Pa-lease!  SOOOO, I am asking my customers to MAKE SURE that the person at the CG-REC signs each and every one and dates them.  I am trying to protect the REC, but, more importantly, my primary concern is to protect my customers from STUPID.  NMC shows me every day just how STUPID they are.  How very sad. 

Here is where common sense failed. 

NMC requires the REC’S sight all of the original documents that the mariner brings in before sending copies of those originals documents off to NMC.  Because of an oversight by a REC employee (they forgot to stamp the copy with Original Sighted”), NMC will not accept the “copies” sent to them by the REC as having sighted the originals.  Just how stupid is that?  NMC will not accept anything from the mariner directly, nor will they accept anything from my company, they will only accept things sent from the REC’s.  Well who in the hell sighted the original if not the REC for Jimny Cricket’s sake?

I will do everything in my power to protect you from NMC and what seems to be a terminal case of “cranial rectal inversion”, but I need each of you to contact your Congressmen, State Representatives, Senator’s, Governor’s and whom ever else you can think of to prevent NMC from being STUPID. 

If for any reason, and I mean any reason, NMC is not completing their part of the bargain in giving you the “best customer service” possible STAND UP AND BE HEARD, don’t sit back on your butts and just take it.  You are paying for them to get your licenses and documents issued to you in a timely manner.  You had better decide, up front, what you think is a “timely manner”.  I consider Two weeks to be a timely manner for a renewal, 3 weeks for an original evaluation but, 4-5-6 weeks or more IS NOT A TIMELY MANNER, IT IS A TRAVISTY and proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt that NMC IS NOT PROVIDING YOU ‘BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE POSSIBLE” but they have proved beyond a shadow of doubt that their PR person is a wonderful creative FICTION writer.

I will however, cut NMC some slack and say that most of their evaluation staff is lacking in experience and I know from past experience that the learning curve is far longer than the 2 weeks of training given to them, but COME ON PEOPLE, Common Sense is Common Sense.  I do have to wonder though if they even know what a ship or boat is, does or looks like, especially given all of the heavy sailing that is going on in and out of the Ports in West Virginia.

From now on, I will also be asking all of my customers to keep me in the loop between themselves and NMC after delivery of their packages to the REC.  I want to keep a record of the GOOD; the BAD; and the really UGLY.  

I want to know how long it takes for an original license to be processed and issued, if everything is in their package to begin with;

I want to know how long it takes for an evaluation to be completed;

I want to know how long it takes a renewal to be processed and issued;

I want to know how long it takes for an endorsement to be processed.

I’ll shut up for now, more grousing, haranguing and bad mouthing later I’m sure.

Touch keys with you later, 

N.

This article was sent to me and I thought you might be interested.  This may end up having a significant impact on you and your boating future.

Touch keys with you later,

N.

P. S.  Heads up, TWIC has a NEW DROP DEAD DATE for you, it is now April 2009.  The old drop dead date was September 2008, so this gives you 6 additional months to get your card.

Be sure that you go to http://www.boatblue.org/takeaction and TELL YOUR CONGRESS PERSON.

Hi everyone, sorry I have been lax in bringing you updated news from NMC, but I have been up to my eyeballs trying to sort through some interesting evaluator challenges.  NMC unfortunately does not have a big base of knowledge and are learning that there are extenuating circumstances surrounding sea service, regulations, and a myriad of other evaluator challenges.  Some evaluators are less than happy when errors are pointed out, but we keep trying.

Check out the newest PR from NMC at http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/wnnmc.htm some of it will give you chills and some will give you chuckles.

 Enjoy,

Touch keys with you later,

N. 

Hi everyone,

 This little ditty was sent to me by a friend.  Now I know it says it was sent to the Passport Office, but it could fit quite nicely for the U. S. Coast Guard as well.  I just love this person and he hit the nail smack on the head.

Enjoy and I’ll touch keys with you later,

N.

In a few months this will sound familiar, maybe we should forward this to NMC and change the word passport to merchant mariner license/document. 

 
AN ACTUAL LETTER TO THE PASSPORT OFFICE

First off, just let me say that most of the REC’s and their crews, work very hard to provide “Good, if not, Outstanding Customer Service”.  I have been there and I know.  I have worked my plump rump off to make sure that my customers were taken care of in a very timely and efficient manner.  It always hurt me very deeply when the very people I worked for in Washington/West Virginia were so nice as to lump all of the REC’s together and tell us all that we were doing such a rotten job.  Sorry, but I took that personally.

FACT:  The CG demands loyalty and respect from its employees.

FACT:  The CG does not extend that same loyalty or respect to its employees.

Here is a excerpt from a letter sent to NMC by one REC employee who has had enough of being slapped in the face and kicked in the stomach by NMC.  I will not give you the name of this person to protect them but I know how this person feels.  This person was far nicer than I ever was when they voiced their feelings in this letter.  I never put it in writing, but I called.  Can you guess why I earned my reputation as Supreme Queen B?  I don’t pull punches and when someone gets in my face and insults me, I let them know.   

Dear Sir,

I, for one, applaud this person for standing up and being counted as being something other than a piece of crap that NMC is telling them they are.  NMC is failing to realize that without those “horrible” people at the REC’s they would be falling flat on their faces BIG TIME, and I am not so sure they are not already falling flat.  If more REC employees would stand up and shout ENOUGH, perhaps NMC would get the message.  I am sorry that this person did not send this letter to Captain Stalfort because he is the one that needs a taste of reality and not a PR con job.

Touch keys with you later.

N.

Good day to you all.  Here are a couple of new things that might be of interest to you.  These questions were posed to me and I asked NMC for the answers.

IMPLEMENTATION OF VESSEL SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS, 1978, AS AMENDED.

First Question:

I have customers who will obviously be greatly affected by this, as will all mariners, and I would like to know exactly what procedures are in place at this time or will shortly be put into place so that when questioned I can give them the specific guidance for them follow. This not only helps the mariner, but NMC as well.

 NMC’s answer:

Ms. Schumer,

 This is good news, but we need to keep an eye on any changes.

Second Question:

I had a customer who said he had a friend (you know how the rumor mill goes) that was disapproved for a renewal because NMC is now using a new physical requirement for “body mass index”. Is this true? If it is true, where on the physical form is this found? Have the new Physical regs. been posted somewhere I haven’t seen?

NMC’s Answer:

NOT YET!!! BUT THEY ARE WORKING ON MAKING ANYONE WITH A BMI OF >40% COMPLETE A FUCTIONAL AGILITY TEST.   Nothing is approved as of yet.   The BMI issue is being packaged with some other issues.

This one has me concerned. As far as I know the BMI has ONLY, in the past, been applied to the Military. 

I know that we are all becoming more conscious of our weight and other health issues but I am not convinced that this is the best course of action for the CG to take.  Please, if you have any problems with this issue at all, contact NMC and lodge your disapproval of this possible action.

Speaking of weight issues, and I can do this without being pushy cause I have this very issue myself.  I found a GREAT cook book called “THE GALLEY CHEF”.  This was put out by QSE Publications and is primarily for cooks on board towing vessels.  Well, I can tell you, after I bought this cook book (by the way I collect cook books from all over the world, does this give you a hint why I have weight issues?) I just had to try a couple of those recipes and let me tell you they were great! 

This may be a book supossedly pointed at tow boats but I say, a GALLY, IS A GALLY, IS A GALLY, on land or at sea.  This cook book not only helps with the recipes but it also shows a cook how to purchase food stuffs, organize your pantry, store your foods and a multitude of other things that are great.  I have been cooking for more years that I wish to admit at times, but I found this to be a fun and very informative read and it gave me some insights about things I have taken for-granted.   As Mikey would say “Try it, you’ll like it”!

 Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Here is something I found in the Federal Register.  By the way, if you are not familiar with the Federal Register, it is the place where our government places proposed rules to be written into law and then implemented by various Agencies.   

This particular one was dated January 29, 2008 and of course is now past it’s 90 day notification waiting period going from an Interim Ruling to the Final Ruling.  Read and enjoy and expect the price of your drivers license to take a sharp increase.

The website for the Federal Register is http://www.wais.access.gop.gov   I promise you will find some interesting reading there.

It appears to me that, in order to get a any type of Federal ID, you will need to provide one of these.  Danged, if it don’t look like I will need a hand truck, a dolly, or a 2 wheeled conveyance just to carry around my ID cards otherwise, I will break my shoulder if I try to carry my purse.  And what about you guys?  Your wallets are already wearing holes in your back pocket and making you walk with a limp because you have been setting on that lump back there, you should also think of another way to hall around that 30 pound, ID laden, wallet.

Touch keys with you later.

N.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Office of the Secretary

6 CFR Part 37

[Docket No. DHS-2006-0030]
RIN 1601-AA37

Minimum Standards for Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards
Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

———————————————————————–

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security is establishing minimum
standards for State-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards
that Federal agencies would accept for official purposes on or after
May 11, 2008, in accordance with the REAL ID Act of 2005. This rule
establishes standards to meet the minimum requirements of the REAL ID
Act of 2005. These standards involve a number of aspects of the process
used to issue identification documents, including: Information and
security features that must be incorporated into each card; application
information to establish the identity and immigration status of an
applicant before a card can be issued; and physical security standards
for facilities where driver’s licenses and applicable identification
cards are produced. This final rule also provides a process for States
to seek an additional extension of the compliance deadline to May 11,
2011, by demonstrating material compliance with the core requirements
of the Act and this rule. Finally, taking into consideration the
operational burdens on State Departments of Motor Vehicles, this rule
extends the enrollment time period to allow States determined by DHS to
be in compliance with the Act to replace all licenses intended for
official purpose with REAL ID-compliant cards by December 1, 2014 for
people born after December 1, 1964, and by December 1, 2017 for those
born on or before December 1, 1964.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective March 31, 2008. The
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule
is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 31,
2008.
    Compliance Dates: Extensions: As of May 11, 2008, Federal agencies
cannot accept driver’s licenses or identification cards for official
purposes, as defined herein, from States that have not been determined
by DHS to be in compliance with the REAL ID Act unless a State has
requested and obtained an extension of the compliance date from DHS.
States seeking extensions must submit a request for an extension to DHS
no later than March 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2009, any initial
extension will terminate unless a State, no later than October 11,
2009, submits to DHS a request for an additional extension and
certification that the State has achieved the benchmarks set forth in
the Material Compliance Checklist. As of May 11, 2011, driver’s
licenses and identification cards will not be accepted from States that
are not in full compliance with the provisions of REAL ID.
    Enrollment: As of December 1, 2014, Federal agencies cannot accept
driver’s licenses or identification cards for official purposes, as
defined herein, from any individual born after December 1, 1964, unless
DHS has determined that the issuing State is in compliance with
Subparts A through D of this rule and the card presented by the
individuals meet the standards of this rule. As of December 1, 2017,
Federal agencies will not accept any State-issued driver’s licenses and
identification cards for official purposes unless such cards have been
issued by States that have certified to DHS their compliance with
Subparts A through D of this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darrell Williams, REAL ID Program
Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528 (202)
282-9829.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abbreviations and Terms Used in This Document

AAMVA–American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
ACLU–American Civil Liberties Union
CAC–U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card
CDLIS–Commercial Drivers License Information System
CHRC–Criminal History Records Check
CRBA–Consular Report of Birth Abroad
DHS–U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DMV–Department of Motor Vehicles
DOS–U.S. Department of State
DOT–U.S. Department of Transportation
EAD–Employment Authorization Document
EDL–Enhanced driver’s license and identification card
EVVE–Electronic Verification of Vital Events
FOIA–Freedom of Information Act
IAFIS–Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification
ICAO–International Civil Aviation Organization
ID–Identification Card
JPEG–Joint Photographic Experts Group
LPR–Lawful Permanent Resident
MRZ–Machine Readable Zone
NAPHSIS–National Association of Public Health Statistics and
Information Systems
NASCIO–National Association of State Chief Information Officers
NCSL–National Conference of State Legislatures
NCIC–National Crime Information Center
NGA–National Governors Association
NPRM–Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
PII–Personally Identifiable Information
RFID–Radio Frequency Identification
SAVE–Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements
SEVIS–Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
SSA–Social Security Administration
SSI–Sensitive Security Information
SSN–Social Security Number
SSOLV–Social Security On-Line Verification
TIF–Tagged Image Format
TSA–Transportation Security Administration
TWIC–Transportation Worker Identification Credential
USCIS–U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
WHTI–Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Hi everyone,

As most of you know by now, if you have read my Blog before, I am just slightly opinionated and I usually calls em like I sees em, so here are some things that might be helpful when visiting a CG office or any office or place of business for that matter.

Cell phones ON - This is BAD form no matter where you go.  If you have a cell phone (which I think most of us do) at least keep them on vibrate and quite.  If that call is important, take it outside and answer it or wait until you are clear of what ever office or place of business you are in and call them back.  Those people in that office, don’t need to hear additional telephones ringing, they hear enough of them all day long.  Not to mention cell phone calls are very distracting to everyone around you, not just the office staff.  P.S.  If you are driving and get a call PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.  The person on the other end of that telephone could be the REASON you crash and I don’t want to be in your debris field thank you very much.

Questions asked by mariners to the CG office personnel.

1.  Do I needed to fill out an application?  Yes, you need to fill out an application if you are going to do anything with your license or MMD or STCW.  You need to fill out an application to apply for anything.

2.  Do I need a physical?  Yes, you need a physical.  Again, if you are going to make application for an original, a raise in grade or a renewal, a physical is something that is a must, your application CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT IT.

3.  Do I need a drug test?  Yes you need a drug test.  Again, if you are going to make application for an original, a raise in grade or a renewal, a drug test is something that is a must, your application CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT IT.

I know I am stating the obvious to most of you, but these are legitimate questions from mariners who are not familiar with the CG regulations or how the system works. 

Here are some tough lessons that I have learned. 

1.  There is no such thing as a “Stupid” question, the only really ”Stupid” question is the one you don’t ask.

2.  Just because I know the answer to that question, does not mean that you do and you are entitled to an answer.

3.  Listen carefully - If you do not understand, ask for clarification.

4.  Selective listening gets many people in trouble, most especially you!

Having worked for so many years on the other side of the CG counter, there are not too many questions I have not heard in one form or another.  Some questions are so obvious I cannot understand how that person could ask, BUT then I think to myself … “Just because I know the answer to that question, does not mean that you do and you are entitled to an answer.”

Touch keys with you later,

N.

Holy cow Batman, What the… ? 

I picked this little ditty up off the of the www.govexec.com link (May 9, 2008).  Question for those in the know (TSA-Home Land Security), If you can’t get an appointment on line for 6 to 8 months, how in the Sam Hill are you supposed to get this bloody thing issued by the imposed deadline? 

Don’t you just love this stuff? 

Touch keys with you later.

N.

Less than 8 percent of port workers have new security ID cardsBy Jill R. Aitoro jaitoro@govexec.com May 8, 2008

Less than 8 percent of workers at U.S. ports have received identification cards that the Transportation Security Administration requires as part of a nationwide effort to tighten security. As a result, the agency has moved the deadline to issue the cards back seven months.

The ID cards are required under the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program that TSA created in December 2001 in response to lawmakers’ fears that lax security made it too easy for terrorists to access U.S. port facilities and vessels. TSA expects to improve security by requiring workers to carry the high-tech ID cards, which include their biometric data, and are used to enter port buildings and to board vessels.

As of the first week of May, 275,000 of the 1.2 million workers TSA identified as needing the ID cards have completed enrollment and about 90,000 have been issued their credentials. In some cases, the cards have been made, but have yet to be picked up because these workers are required to travel for months at a time and have not had the opportunity to obtain their cards, said Maurine Fanguy, TWIC program director for TSA.

After numerous delays, TSA started the enrollment process in Wilmington, Del., on Oct. 16, 2007. Congress voiced concernsabout the timeline this year, but acknowledged progress was being made.

As a result of the slow rollout of the TWIC program, the Homeland Security Department announced at the end of April that it has pushed back the deadline for all cards to be issued from Sept. 25, 2008, to April 15, 2009.

“DHS originally had put out a final rule that provided an 18-month enrollment time frame for workers,” Fanguy said. “With TWIC [enrollment] starting in October, that left 11 months. This realignment is honoring our commitment. We made this decision after a lot of consultation with various people in industry.”

Also delaying the program was an increase in the number of workers TSA identified as requiring a card, jumping 60 percent from an estimated 750,000 to 1.2 million. The increase is actually a positive move, Fanguy said, because it reflects a broader commitment to security than first anticipated. TSA is operating 101 enrollment centers nationwide and plans to open 46 more this summer. The agency also has been working with industry to offer mobile enrollment stations so employees can enroll on-site.

“Our team is on planes every week going out and getting communication out there to make sure workers understand the process,” Fanguy said. “We’re seeing a tremendous number coming through every day. We were processing a handful a day when we started out in Wilmington, Del., then tens, then hundreds, and now thousands every day. We’re continuing that dialogue.”

TSA has set up a Web sitewhere workers can pre-enroll for a TWIC card and find information on the program.

The agency recently updated the technical specifications for the card readers that were published in September 2007 and is testing prototypes, but it has yet to officially approve final versions. Currently, staff at ports visually examine the cards, looking for specific security features such as holograms.

“We have a lot of work to go, because we want to go through a rigorous and formal testing process,” Fanguy said. “But all indications are that industry will be able to build upon existing technology. The initial phase was to get the specs done, then go and build the equipment. We’ll soon be doing a formal evaluation process for a maritime environment, then begin to deploy some in the field.”

Please pass this information along to all in the towing industry.

Towing Companies:  From now on, when you are preparing a letter of sea service for Renewal, please add the following paragraph to each letter.

In accordance with 46 CFR 10.209, (c)(6)(ii), this mariner has completed ongoing participation in training and drills during the validity of the license being renewed.

If the mariner has not done the above, then at the time of renewal they will need to provide a completed TOAR along with their application.

NMC caught me on this one (shame on me).  Always before, it was a given, that if a mariner worked for a towing company, (and his letter of sea service came from a towing company) then they were involved in on board training, this is logical to me.  Oh well, NMC now wants to see it in writing.  So remember to add this additional blurb to all of your sea service letters.

Touch keys with you later

N.