MaritimeLicensing.com

Hello all;

Yes, I am back at it.  NMC and TSA has again changed the face of the local REC and the way they are to do business.  If you have been wondering how the TWIC card would  affect you, well here is number 1.

As of APRIL 15, 2009, the Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers will no longer be taking fingerprints.

AS OF APRIL 15, 2009, the Coast Guard will not accept your application for anything unless you provide one of the following. 

1. Your TWIC CARD or
2. PROOF THAT YOU HAVE MADE APPLICATION FOR A TWIC.

Don’t forget that you must now make on-line appointments with the REC’s to submit your paperwork at http://uscg.mil/nmc/rec_information.asp  Remember also, that walk-ins are accepted, however, the REC staff will work first with the appointments and walk-ins last, so you could be in for a long wait and possibly not be helped at all.  You can also try calling the REC of your choice to make an appointment, I can’t promise you will get through, but you can try.
Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Hey all,

I think it is time to help our Country out and give our leaders positive feed back and an alternative “Plan of Action”.  Our President is struggling to fix a huge problem and he has only been able to stretch a small band aid over a gigantic wound, so here is one of many solutions that we should pass along to our representatives.  It is no worse than some of the solutions we have been hearing coming off the “Hill”, and from an economic stand point, it sounds to be a pretty CHEAP and almost immediate fix.

This little bit was posted in the business section of a prominent newspaper and I thought it was awesome.  They polled their readers and asked them for possible solutions to our national problem.  Here is just one of the responses.  All of them were excellent, but this one really grabbed me as being short, sweet and to the point.

Touch Keys with you Later and remember, keep smiling.

N.

Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic Retirement Act:

There’s about 40 million people over the age of 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million apiece severance, tax free, and with all medical benefits but with three stipulations:

1) They leave their jobs.     Forty million instant job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They either buy a house or pay off their current mortgage- Housing Crisis fixed.

All National financial problems fixed!!!

Hello everyone;

Yes, here is another update from NMC on the “Final Rule” for the RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MMC AND TWIC.

Please take SPECIAL note that beginning April 15, 2009 any mariner or potential mariner MUST HAVE EITHER A TWIC CARD OR SHOW PROOF THAT THEY HAVE MADE APPLICATION FOR A TWIC CARD in order for the Coast Guard to accept applications for Merchant Mariner Credentials.

Also, take note that if a mariner or potential mariner shows ONLY the Coast Guard proof of making application for a TWIC and TSA comes back with a denial for any reason, they will not be issued a merchant mariners credential either.

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

March 18, 2009
Relationship between the MMC and TWIC
The Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) rule was published in the Federal register on March 16, 2009 (MMC Final Rule). The information bulletin, “MMC Final Rule Released” posted on the National Maritime Center’s (NMC) website outlines some key features of the rule, which becomes effective April 15, 2009. This bulletin focuses on the relationship between the MMC and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Please refer to the previously posted “TWIC Information Bulletin” for additional details. If you hold a Merchant Mariner Credential you are required to obtain a TWIC by April 15, 2009. Additionally, after April 15, 2009 you are required to hold a valid TWIC in order to serve under the authority of your merchant credential.

Important Information about the MMC Final Rule

•      The Coast Guard will use TWIC data received directly from TSA to determine the status  of your TWIC. No mariner credentials will be issued without confirmation from TSA that an applicant has been approved to hold a TWIC.

•     If you are applying for a merchant mariner credential you must have at least applied for your TWIC before the Coast Guard will accept your application. Your credential will not  be issued until your TWIC is approved. There may be a minimal delay between the time  you apply for your TWIC and the time that data is received by the Coast Guard.

Therefore, you should:
o Apply for your TWIC in advance of your application for your merchant credential.
o If you are applying for your TWIC and mariner credential simultaneously, provide a copy of your TWIC application receipt with your credential application.

•   A TWIC is not required in order to apply for or receive a document of continuity.

Important information about TWIC enrollment

• You will need to ensure that the biographical data that you supply to TSA is the same as what you provide the Coast Guard on your Merchant Mariner Credential Application. If the Coast Guard can not reconcile the data provided by TSA, you may be asked to work with TSA to update your information. Visit TSA’s website to begin the application process for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential:
  

       http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm

More goodies.

Touch keys with you later.

N.

For the latest information on STCW and Licensing, visit our web site at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.
The National Maritime Center is an ISO 9001:2000 Compliant Organization.
March 18, 2009

Relationship between the MMC and TWIC

The Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) rule was published in the Federal register on March 16, 2009 (MMC Final Rule). The information bulletin, “MMC Final Rule Released” posted on the National Maritime Center’s (NMC) website outlines some key features of the rule, which becomes effective April 15, 2009. This bulletin focuses on the relationship between the MMC and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Please refer to the previously posted “TWIC Information Bulletin” for additional details. If you hold a Merchant Mariner Credential you are required to obtain a TWIC by April 15, 2009. Additionally, after April 15, 2009 you are required to hold a valid TWIC in order to serve under the authority of your merchant credential.
Important Information about the MMC Final Rule

• The Coast Guard will use TWIC data received directly from TSA to determine the status of your TWIC. No mariner credentials will be issued without confirmation from TSA that an applicant has been approved to hold a TWIC.

• If you are applying for a merchant mariner credential you must have at least applied for your TWIC before the Coast Guard will accept your application. Your credential will not be issued until your TWIC is approved. There may be a minimal delay between the time you apply for your TWIC and the time that data is received by the Coast Guard. Therefore, you should:

1. Apply for your TWIC in advance of your application for your merchant credential.
2. If you are applying for your TWIC and mariner credential simultaneously, provide a copy of your TWIC application receipt with your credential application.

• A TWIC is not required in order to apply for or receive a document of continuity.

Important information about TWIC enrollment

• You will need to ensure that the biographical data that you supply to TSA is the same as what you provide the Coast Guard on your Merchant Mariner Credential Application. If the Coast Guard can not reconcile the data provided by TSA, you may be asked to work with TSA to update your information. Visit TSA’s website to begin the application process for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm

Commanding Officer
United States Coast Guard
National Maritime Center
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404
Phone: (304) 433-3400
Fax: (304) 433-3409
E-mail: iasknmc@uscg.mil
For the latest information on STCW and Licensing, visit our web site at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.
The National Maritime Center is an ISO 9001:2000 Compliant Organization.

 2

• You will need to be identified as a Merchant Mariner in the TWIC system. This triggers TSA to provide your TWIC data to the Coast Guard.

1. When you enroll/Pre-enroll for a TWIC with TSA you need to select Merchant Mariner as your occupation.
2. Sometime this month TSA will be adding a radio button to their kiosks that will force the TSA employee to ask you if you are or contemplate becoming, at any time in the next 5 years, a Merchant Mariner. Additionally, the disclosure form that you will fill out at the enrollment center will ask you the same question.
3. For those that have already received their TWIC and did not “Self Identify” as a Merchant Mariner, or do not remember whether or not you self-identified, the NMC is working with TSA to automatically change your occupation field. The NMC anticipates that this will cover the vast majority of current mariners. It is, unfortunately, inevitable that there will not be matching data for every mariner due to variances in the data contained in either system (such as using slightly different name spellings to apply for your TWIC and your mariner credential). Therefore, TSA is setting up a help desk number that you will be able to call in order to manually switch your occupation field. This should only impact a small percentage of mariners and only when applying for their next Coast Guard issued credential. At that point, if the NMC does not have matching data from TSA regarding a valid TWIC you will be asked to call the TSA help desk.

If you carry a valid TWIC while serving on a valid Merchant Mariner Credential you will not be impacted while sailing regardless of whether you hold any of the four previously issued credentials, the MMC or any combination thereof.
Sincerely,
David C. Stalfort
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard

This Federal Register is making many changes to the CFR, a few changes to 33 but many changes to 46.  It is 72 pages of intense reading.  Enjoy!

Go to: http://www.thefederalregister.com/

VOL. 74., NO. 49/MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009/RULES AND REGULATIONS

Touch Keys with you later,

N.

Good day to you all,

Here is an e-mail received from an REC that you should all know about and be sure to share with everyone.

Touch Keys with you Later,

N.

Greetings Industry Members,

As part of the ongoing merchant marine licensing centralization project, beginning today March 3rd, 2009, all RECs are now set up for on-line appointments.  Mariners desiring an appointment at an REC may do so by first going to the below listed link, then clicking on the appropriate state where the REC of your choice happens to be located.  So, for example, to make an appointment at REC Toledo, first go to the below link, then go to Ohio State and click on there, this then maps you to that particular REC’s web page, which then contains a link for appointments.

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/rec_information.asp 

As stated on the web page, mariners are highly encouraged to make an appointment prior to coming to the REC.  Now that all RECs have much smaller staffs, mariners who chose to walk in without an appointment run the risk of being served on a “Space Available Basis” only.  In other words, those who took the time to make an appointment will take priority over walk-ins.

Please help to get the word out by apssing on this information to all industry members