Maritime News

With the exception of a few days in February during the Pacific NW Sportsman’s Show, some vacation time around July 4th and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays I will be teaching classes seven days a week as normal. Lecture classes begin every two weeks and are scheduled for a maximum of six students; self-paced classes are available by appointment for a maximum of two students. I will never cancel a class for low enrollment, in fact I am always happy to hold a class for a single student seven days a week. The price structure for all courses will remain unchanged through 2010.

Lecture courses include:

1. Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) – $900
2. Master 100 tons – $1,100
3. OUPV / Master Restricted Waters Portland MSO – $300
4. Rules of the Road – $400
5. Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 ton – $400
6. Upgrade Master 100 ton to Master 200 ton – $600
7. Able Seaman (any rating) – $700
8. First Aid and CPR – $150

Self-Paced courses include:

1. Apprentice Mate (steersman) upgrade – $300
2. Master / Mate Fishing Vessels upgrade – $200
3. Assistance Towing endorsement – $100
4. Auxiliary Sail endorsement – $100
5. Radar Observer Unlimited endorsement – $800
6. Radar Recertification (any endorsement) – $250
7. Visual Communications (Flashing Light) – $200
8. Celestial Navigation (200 tons) – $1,250

This year brought many changes to the USCG license structure and application requirements, most of them having a positive impact. Expect more changes in 2010 as full implementation of the International STCW 95 Regulations takes place.

The USCG began issuing Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) April 15, 2009. This one credential replaces three documents previously issued by the USCG. The MMD or z-card, the license and the STCW certificate are now called endorsements on an MMC. Currently issued licenses, documents and certificates are still valid through their expiration date, but will be replaced with the new MMC upon renewal or upgrade. The following is a summary of the old verses new:

• The old document know as an MMD or z-card is now an MMC domestic rating endorsement. This includes all ordinary seaman (OS), able seaman (AB) and qualified member of the engine department (QMED) ratings.
• The old license is now an MMC domestic officer endorsement. This includes all OUPV, master, mate, engineering, radioman and staff officer licenses.
• The old STCW certificate is now an MMC International endorsement. This includes basic safety training (BST), lifeboatman (LB) and all navigational and engineering watch STCW 95 certificates.

On April 15, 2009 the USCG also began requiring all applicants to hold a valid transportation workers identification credential (TWIC). In fact if you hold a USCG issued license, document or certificate and do not have a TWIC your credential is no longer valid. If you are in this situation you need to enroll in the TWIC program ASAP. The full implementation of TWIC has resulted in several changes that have simplified the USCG application process.

On November 1, 2009 the USCG issued the new medical evaluation form CG-791K. This new nine page form replaces the older form and will be required for all MMC applications submitted after January 1, 2010. The remaining forms, which have expiration dates of 07/31/09, will remain valid until further notice. The updated forms issued by the USCG are now interactive adobe reader files that can be completed online and printed out. The following forms and checklists are provided here for your convenience (click on the link to view the document).

• MMC License application checklist (provided by CPM)
• MMC Application form CG-719B
• Medical Evaluation Report CG-719K
• USCG/DOT Random drug test form CG-719P
• Small Vessel sea service form CG-719S

Because of TWIC the USCG is now able to accept applications by mail and beginning January 4, 2010 they will begin accepting applications by email. If you plan to mail or email your MMC application to a REC you should use the Application Acceptance Checklist to verify that your application is complete and all fees must be prepaid using the http://www.pay.gov/ website. You must also include a copy of your TWIC with your application. When emailing your application the subject line MUST include Your Last Name, Your First Name, Your Middle Initial and Your Mariner Number (if known). For instructions on how to email your application click here.

Unless you are very comfortable with using email and the Internet and are familiar with the application process emailing your application to an REC may not be a great option for you. Do not mail or email applications directly to the National Maritime Center (NMC). For an original issue of an MMC I am continuing to recommend that the application be hand delivered to an REC. There are simply too many variables that can hold up your approval for months not to take the opportunity to go over your application with the qualified and helpful personal at the REC prior to turning it in. Once you become familiar with the application process than mail and email become great options for MMC renewal and upgrades.

Expect more changes in the credential structure and requirements in early 2010 as STCW 95 regulations are fully implemented. These regulatory changes are intended to clarify international regulations imposed of seagoing vessels of at least 500 gross tons and more and will have little impact on vessels of less than 200 tons on domestic voyages or vessels operating strictly on inland waters. Watch my website Maritime News for the details of these changes as they go into effect in the coming new year.