http://jngiwhmulgez.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