MaritimeLicensing.com

Hi everyone, you should go check out and see how NMC is grading themselves on their performance.

http://uscg.mil/nmc/performance_reports/2010_june_performance_report.pdf

 Touch keys with you later,

N.

Hi everyone;

This should make you happy.

COMING SOON FROM NMC!

MERCHANT MARINER CERTIFICATES SUITABLE FOR FRAMING

Coming Soon - Merchant Mariner Certificates Suitable for Framing
The Coast Guard is finalizing development of a Merchant Mariner Certificate, suitable for framing, which will soon be available for mariners who hold or have held a valid Merchant Mariner Credential to download from a Coast Guard web site, print and proudly display.
Since the release of the Merchant Mariner Credential final rule, which consolidated the previously issued licenses, Merchant Mariner Documents and STCW certificates into a single passport-style Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), mariners have been asking the Coast Guard to provide a certificate suitable for framing. The Coast Guard recognized this as an important issue to many mariners and decided to honor the mariner by providing a means for mariners to proudly display their professional credentials.
Later this summer, the Coast Guard will launch an Internet-based service where mariners will visit a Coast Guard web site, enter their mariner reference number, or other verifiable identification data, and request to download a “Merchant Mariner Certificate” that would include the officer and rating endorsements that are contained in the mariner’s MMC. This service will not have the ability to reproduce legacy license, MMD or STCW credentials. The request, similar to that used to verify credentials in the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credential Verification (MMCV) function, would populate a “certificate” that the mariner could save and print from a personal computer or other Internet-capable devices. The certificate, which would be used for display purposes only, would not be authorized as a substitute for a valid MMC and will not substitute for the MMC where the requirement to post a credential exists. There will be no fee for downloading the certificate. Additional information will be provided before the system is released.
The Coast Guard is interested in feedback on the (click here for certificate example: Merchant Mariner Certificate ). Comments on the design of the certificate may be submitted via email at: nmc-mmc-certificates@uscg.mil.
Sincerely,
D. C. STALFORT
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard

You can get the original of this notification at: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/

Just look for COMING SOON MERCHANT MARINER CERTIFICATES SUITABLE FOR FRAMING.

Touch Keys with you later

N.

Hello everyone,

I APOLOGIZE!  I was corrected on this late yesterday afternoon, so again I apologize.

The fees for a QMED (old MMD-Z-Card now MMC) to apply for an additional QMED endorsement is not $50.00 as I stated in my last missive (that fee was bad enough), it is actually $95.00 plus the issuance fee of $45.00 for a total of $140.00.

I was correct however, that a license endorsement for Radar or Commercial Assistance Towing is $50.00 plus the issuance fee of $45.00.

Once again I apologize.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Hi all;

First let me say that I am a Norwegian and a Scotsman and I HATE SPENDING MONEY I DON’T HAVE TO SPEND.

Here is yet another update on new fees that mariners will be expected to pay.

• If a mariner is holding one Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) rating (for instance Oiler) and wants to add another (for instance Jr. Engineer, or Fireman/Watertender, or Electrician) they will be required to pay $50.00 evaluation fee plus the issuance fee of $45.00 for a total of $95.00 for each one if they don’t put everything down on the original application.  If you have questions, call me.

Please tell the mariners that when making application to be sure to add this (ALL QMED RATINGS) to their applications to avoid having to pay the Evaluation fee again and again.

• If a mariner does not currently hold Commercial Assistant Towing and wishes to have Commercial Assistant Towing added to their license, they must now pay a $50.00 evaluation fee and the $45.00 issuance fee, if you did not apply for this at the time of your original application.

Keep in mind that when the mariner pays these fees and ONLY puts one endorsement down, then they will be expected to pay another evaluation fee  each time they want an endorsement of this type added.  So when making an application be sure to add what ever you want.  This is another hint for those of you not using my services.

Evaluation fees have always been around, but some of these things were “free” because there was/is nothing to evaluate.

I guess since this money goes directly to the General Fund and does not go directly to the Coast Guard, and never has, it is just another way for you all to help pay off the Trillions of Dollars of the National Debt.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Hello everyone, long time not post.  Many things have been happening in the world of NMC, some you are probably aware of and some you are not.

This one is brand new and you definatelly need to be aware of.  NMC has decided that they will be charging you for having Radar put on your license.  This is not new because they have always charged for the issuance fee, but what IS NEW, is the fact that they are now charging an EVALUATION FEE as well.  The evaluation fee is $50.00 and the issuance fee remains the same at $45.00.  So just be aware that when you go to have this endorsement put on your license, you will be charged a total of $95.00 for your Radar Endorsement.

Another thing that is new and may or may not affect you is the fact that NMC has now, effective 6-30-2010, going to cancel 29 Policy Letters.  These policy letters are:

• 1998 - 4-98; 7-98; 11-98; 18-98; and 24-98
• 1999 - 4-99 and 5-99
• 2000 - 3-00
• 2001 - 05-01; 14-01; 15-01; and 16-01
• 2002 - 02-02; 03-02; 05-02; 08-02; 09-02; 12-02; 13-02 and 14-02 Enclosure2 Attachments(A & B)
• 2003 - 07-03 and 08-03
• 2004 - 01-04
• 2005 - 01-05; 03-05 and 04-05
• 2006 - 02-06 and 04-06
• 2007 - 01-07

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Hi everyone, sorry I have not been keeping up with my BLOG lately, but I have been up to my arm pits in the drivel that NMC has been dishing out.

Here is an example,  This e-mail question was sent to NMC -

I hold a 50 ton Master license #XXXXXXX. I have passed an approved course to obtain an Assistance Towing Endorsement. What is the process for having the endorsement incorporated into my license?

This is a very simple and straight forward question.  It is very succinct and a question that I believe even someone with limited metal capacity could read and understand without to much trouble.

However, judging by the response, I have very serious doubts that the person responding to this question was even from the same planet as the person asking the question.  

Here is the answer he received from the IASKNMC help desk.

The merchant mariner credential is not valid after April 15, 2009 without a valid Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC). In addition, the USCG National Maritime Center will not issue and/or accept an application without proof the applicant has applied for or holds a valid TWIC card.

If you have not applied for a TWIC card please visit the TSA website at www.twicinformation.com or contact the TSA helpdesk at 866-347-8942 and press option number four to speak to a representative. Please ensure when completing the application for the TWIC card the occupation field is marked as “Merchant Mariner.”

The forms you need can be obtained off the National Maritime Centers website at www.uscg.mil/nmc. Once here click “Application & Form downloads.”

The information needed is
*       719B- Application
*       719K or 719 K/E- Physical- Entry level ratings may use the 719 K/E; all others must use 719K
*       719P- Drug Testing Form
*       Proof of TWIC card
*       Documentation of sea service (if applicable)
*       Copies of any applicable training certificates
*       Payment or confirmation of payment receipt from www.pay.gov showing all applicable fees have been paid.

Once you have all of this completed, the application can be mailed to any of the 17 regional examination centers.

Had the person responding from IASKNMC helpdesk ;-)  bothered to look at 46 CFR 10.431, they would know that a PHYSICAL, SEA SERVICE, NOR A DRUG TEST is required for an endorsement.  But reading and understanding the regulations don’t seem to be a prerequisite to getting a job there.

I am sorry, that was unfair of me and I do apologize, I know for a fact that the learning curve is more than 2 weeks of training, a desk manual that some person, who has never worked in the industry before and has put together and plopped on everyone desk.  These folks are at a disadvantage, as they have NO ADULT SUPERVISION especially from those who are supposed to know what the heck is going on.

Cheers, I am off to acquire more gray hair fighting that big WIND MILL called NMC.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

P. S.  Don’t be afraid to contact your SENATORS’, YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES and let them know what kind of injustices are going on, after all, that is what YOU PAY THEM FOR.

Good day to you all, here is some information for you just in case you haven’t heard.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Good day to you all.

I received some AWESOME news for those of you who are caught in the meat grinder called MEDICAL EVALUATION BRANCH of the NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER!

I received this from one of my customers care of his Company.  At least NMC is somehow getting the word out to a few BUT NOT THE MASSES!

My customer had had enough of the BS from the NMC’s MEB branch (don’t you just love all of the acronyms?) and contacted his 2 SENATORS and his CONGRESSMEN.  When he sent me an e-mail telling me this, I jumped up and did a little dance, gave out a war hoop and screamed YES! YES! YES!

Here is the word I got, official or not, all I can say is IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME that those yahoos in NMC got off of their high horse and changed something that so DEVASTATINGLY AFFECTS THE MARINER and the maritime industry in general.   To bad NMC will never issue an apology or refund the monies the mariners had to spend to meet this asinine requirement.

Capt Stalfort, head of NMC announced today that they would not be asking for tests results as it relates to BMI until a formal policy is drafted and published  (possibly a revision to the medical NVIC.)

HERE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW YOUR VOICES MAKE CHANGE - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Thank you R and B for this information you both are the best!

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Hello Everyone I hope all of you are doing well, I must say my blood pressure is up a bit, Oh yes, that is because I am dealing with NMC isn’t it, I almost forgot that.  Here I go again jumping on my SOAP BOX yet again, this time it is about nonexistent, non-published IN HOUSE POLICY UP-DATES.  The only way we find out about them is when you get bitten by an NMC Evaluator whom NMC has been training NOT TO THINK and not to use common sense!  I know that consistency is imperative to a well functioning organization of any kind and I am sure you do also, so I can almost understand.  HOWEVER, if you want total automation or you want a robot, then you go build a NON-Thinking machine right?  Geeze, already my brain boggles at the thought- oops I forgot, thinking not allowed, just doing my young padawan.

Here is an exact quote out of an e-mail response I received from NMC.

“…to bring us together after centralization and treat all mariners the same, 

we train to use CG791P, verbiage on back referencing 46 CFR 16, Part B or 

Guidance Document 03-04….”

BEWARE all Evaluators at NMC have been instructed, trained, taught, turned into an automaton or what ever you want to call it, to see only BLACK AND WHITE, no gray areas thank you very much and no using common sense either.  Thinking on their own, OUT OF THE QUESTION!

Here is the latest and greatest in the IN HOUSE POLICY OF THE NEW AND IMPROVED NMC.  I am presuming here that this goes for everything being presented and sent into NMC, not just what I am about to explain to you so be prepared and be forewarned.

USE EXACT EXAMPLE VERBIAGE ONLY, no alterations, no variations.  I had a client who has been with a company for years and that I have been familiar with for the last 20 odd years who sent their mariner a letter of sea service with the drug test verbiage in it that has been acceptable for the past how many ever years.  There letter simply stated that Mr. X has been involved in our random drug testing program for the past x number of years under 46 CFR part 16 and has not failed or refused testing.   NMC is now sending it back saying it was unacceptable because it did not state SPECIFICALLY one of the following examples, and I do mean SPECIFICALLY:

Please note that each one of these say “EXAMPLE” however, I suggest that you word it exactly like one of the EXAMPLES LISTED, otherwise, I’m sure you will confuse the evaluators at NMC.

So, to all of the employers out there, take heed and be specific in your letters.  Cut and paste one of the examples into your letters of sea service until NMC comes out with another “unwritten”, “unpublished”, in house, policy.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A drug test is required for all transactions EXCEPT endorsements, duplicates and STCW certificates.
• ONLY a DOT 5 Panel (SAMHSA 5 Panel, formerly NIDA 5), testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Phencyclidine, and Amphetamines will be accepted.

OPTION I
PERIODIC TESTING
PROGRAM

• A USCG drug test conducted within the past 185 days by a laboratory accredited by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services.
• COLLECTION of a urine sample may be conducted by an independent medical facility, private physician or at an employer-designated site as long as the collection agent meets the qualification requirements to be a collection agent given Title 49 CFR Part 40.31. It is CRITICAL that the sample is sent to an accredited SAMHSA laboratory for ANALYSIS or the drug test is invalid.  A list of service agents that can assist in meeting these requirements is included or a list of service agents can be obtained at www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/moa/dapip.htm.
• The ORIGINAL results are required. A FACSIMILE is acceptable, if it is originated from the Medical Review Officer (MRO) or the Service Agent assisting the mariner, and sent directly to our office. The drug test result must be signed and dated by the MRO or by a representative of the service agent who assisted you in meeting this requirement.

OPTION II
RANDOM TESTING

• An ORIGINAL DATED letter on marine employer stationary or, for ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS, an ORIGINAL DATED letter from your command on command letterhead attesting to participation in random drug testing programs.

EXAMPLE (From Marine Employers): APPLICANT’S NAME / SSN has been subject to a random testing program meeting the criteria of Title 46 CFR 16.230 for at least 60 days during the previous 185 days and has not failed nor refused to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs.
EXAMPLE (Active Duty Military/Military Sealift Command/N.O.A.A./ Army Corps of Engineers):  APPLICANT’S NAME / SSN has been subject to a random testing program and has never refused to participate in or failed a chemical drug test for dangerous drugs.

OPTION III
PRE-EMPLOYMENT
TESTING

•  An ORIGINAL DATED letter on marine employer stationary signed by a company official, stating that you have passed a pre-employment chemical test for dangerous drugs within the past 185 days.

EXAMPLE: APPLICANT’S NAME / SSN passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs, required under Title 46 CFR 16.210 within the previous six months of the dateof this letter with no subsequent positive drug test results during the remainder of the six month period.

I will soon be sending out an e-mail to all of the companies that I have e-mail addresses for giving them this updated information (or at least updated as of the 4th of February 2010) remember, this could change at any moment and we won’t know about it until an evaluator sends it back as being wrong.  I just hope all of the evaluators are reading the same hand book, but unfortunately, I don’t think they are.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Well every one, I hope you all have an absolutely FANTASTIC New Year, I know I am looking forward to more exciting times.

Here is an excerpt from an e-mail that I received from one of my clients, Mr. O,  concerning his on-going problems with NMC and the Medical Evaluation Branch (MEB).  When the new Medical NVIC came out, one of my major concerns was the BMI and sure enough that is a stickler.

Mr. O received a letter from NMC and was told he needed additional information from his doctor concerning his BMI and Sleep disorders.

With Mr. O’s approval and permission, I am posting this.

Well I don’t think its a bad thing that the CG screens folks in an attempt to make the industry safer BUT am a bit amused @ their thought process for example their letter to me Your BMI score of 43.2 (I used the BMI chart on the Internet & came up with 41) still FAT without a doubt! & the letter goes on with “puts you @ higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, due to this BMI score , coupled with your safety sensitive duties as a master 1600GRT”  that statement amuses me, so is that to say that there is less safety sensitive duties @ the 200 ton level? Falling asleep on a 199 ton tug towing a 4000 ton barge loaded with 1 million gallons of fuel seems quite safety sensitive to me?? so anyway I need to go see the Dr & have him tell them I do not suffer from lack of sleep.

As Mr. O states, and I agree, it is a good thing that CG is trying to make the industry safer.

Mr. O gave me permission to publish this so that others with BMI problems will be aware of at least one item that needs to be addressed.  This will prepare you, in advance, and you can have the doctor (at the time that the physical is done) write a letter concerning any sleep disorders, breathing disorders, or any other weight related problems that the doctor can think of, to add to your physical.  I am sure it won’t be the “end all” letter, but it will be one less thing that MEB will have to write you a letter about.

You should consider this as a proactive measure on your part and it might save you some heart aches, head aches, frustration and time, when going down the MEB road.

With this new physical form, BMI is not the only thing you need to pay attention to.  Make sure your doctor writes you a letter to put with your physical should you have any of these problems: vision, hearing, heart, medications, surgery’s, mental, breathing, digestion, renal, etc., etc., etc.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.