Archive for January, 2010

MMC Renewals and Upgrades

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

I often receive questions regarding renewals and upgrades to a Merchant Mariner Credential.

For any renewal of an existing credential you need to:

  • Renew your TWIC and make a copy of both sides to include in your application.
  • Complete an application form CG-719B. The current form expired 7/31/09, but the Coast Guard has announced that it will remain valid until otherwise announced.
  • Complete a Physical exam using the new 9-page Medical Evaluation Report form CG-719K.
  • Complete a DOT/USCG random drug screen. Form CG-791P is optional, but has some instructions for issuing letters for mariners who are participating in approved random programs operated by employers.
  • If you have a Radar Endorsement on your credential you will need to complete a radar renewal course.
  • If you hold an Unlimited license you will need to complete a flashing light course.
  • Document 360 days of sea service experience in the past five years.
  • If you hold an STCW 95 certificate the required sea service must be on oceans otherwise you will need to complete a BST renewal course to renew your STCW 95 credentials.
  • If you do not have the required sea service experience you can either complete an approved renewal course or request to take an open book exam. The open book exam is mailed to you and you have 90 days to complete it using all the resources you have available, if you fail the exam the CG will mail it back to you to take a second time.

To upgrade an existing credential you need to meet the sea service requirements of the desired credential using your previous service plus any newly acquired experience and complete an application package, including:

A copy of both sides of your TWIC.

  • Form CG-719B
  • Medical Evaluation Report form CG-719K
  • DOT/USCG random drug screen or letter of participation in a random program.
  • Form CG-719S or sea service letters documenting the additional sea service requirements. It is always a good idea to include copies of previously submitted service.
  • Any course completion certificates required for the upgrade.

Many credential upgrades do not require examinations, they are upgraded on sea service experience alone. Examples of these credentials include:

  • Upgrade of an AB Fishing to AB Special; an AB Special to AB Limited; an AB Limited to AB Unlimited.
  • Upgrade the tonnage limitation on a Master’s license from 25 to 50 or 50 to 100 without changing the route on the license.
  • Upgrade the tonnage limitation on a Mate’s license from 150 to 200 without changing the route on the license.
  • Upgrade a Mate 200 (or 150) to Master 200 without changing the route on the license.
  • Upgrade the tonnage limitation on a Master’s license from 150 to 200 without changing the route on the license.
  • Upgrade Apprentice Mate (steersman) to Mate of Towing.

For information on sea service requirements, application requirements or to download the required forms visit my website at http://ColumbiaPacificMaritime.com

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Employment News

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

I sent an email to Captain Sweeney of Maritime Headhunters to see if he had any good news on the employment front and this was the response. It has been my experience that Captain Sweeney is a straight shooter who does not sugar-coat his answers. If you want someone to give you a line of BS go somewhere else; Captain Sweeney tells it like it is.

Ahoy Captain Dennis!

“Commercial work for vessels less than 200 tons, especially tugs, is being affected by the seasonal slowdown in Alaska, but those interested in running charters should be aware that many employers are hiring now for summer work up north. Relief/rebuilding efforts after the earthquake in Haiti have already spurred an increase in West Coast shipping activity. A number of professional mariners registered with our service are currently on their way to the Caribbean.”

That’s the situation, now…

Thanks!

Smooth Sailin.’

Kelly

Captain Kelly Sweeney
Maritime Headhunters, LLC
ph: (360) 678-3350
fax: (360) 678-7086

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Email Applications to an REC

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

The following information was released by the NMC in December and became effective in January 2010.

Beginning January 4, 2010, the Coast Guard will begin accepting credential applications at the 17 Regional Examination Centers using e-mail. This bulletin provides basic information on how mariners can submit credential application packages using e-mail.

Click here to view the bulletin

Because new mariners must take the Merchant Mariner’s Oath it is my recommendation that all applications for an original issue be hand delivered to a Regional Exam Center, but this provides and excellent method for renewals and upgrades.

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Upgrade Master 100 to Master 150

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Dennis-

Thanks again for a great class and the patience you had with me. I really appreciated it and will recommend people to you.

I have a couple of questions for you, what is the sea service time required to apply for a 150 ton mate license, inland and near coastal? What would be the gross tonnage required to obtain this license?

Thanks for everything, Darren

Darren,

The inland Mate 150 ton license requires 6 months of sea service experience. Using the tonnage formula you would need either 45 days on a vessel over 100 tons or 90 days on a vessel over 67 tons.

The near coastal Mate 150 ton license requires one year of sea service experience. Using the tonnage formula you would need either 90 days on a vessel over 100 tons or 180 days on a vessel over 67 tons.

Thanks for the kind words and I appreciate your recommendations. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Dennis

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Pacific NW Sportsman’s Show

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Columbia Pacific Maritime will have a booth at the Pacific NW Sportsman’s Show to answer your license questions. The show is February 10-14, 2010 at the Portland Expo Center.

  • Wednesday – Friday 11AM to 9PM
  • Saturday 10AM to 8PM
  • Sunday 10AM to 6PM

See you at the show!

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Sea Service Experience Requirements

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Sea service is measured in eight hour calendar days where any days that you were on a boat, held a position of responsibility, and were away from the dock for more than four hours counts as one eight hour calendar day. If that entire day was spend the on the protected inland waters of bays, rivers, lakes or sounds than it is considered an inland sea day, but if at any time during the day you crossed into ocean waters that entire day is considered an ocean sea day. Sea service experience is gained over the course of your lifetime and can be documented from about age 14. Use the USCG form CG-719S to document non-commercial sea service experience and commercial experience on vessels of less than 200 tons.

The following are the Merchant Mariner Credential sea service requirements for service on uninspected vessels and inspected vessels of less than 200 tons. Note that one month is equal to 30 days and one year is equal to 12 months or 360 days.

* indicates tonnage limitation dependent on the size of vessels the qualifying experience was on.

  • Six months: Inland Mate 25-200 tons * / Able Seaman (fishing / OSV)
  • One year: Inland OUPV / Inland Master 25-100 tons* / Able Seaman special
  • One year with 6 months as Master or Mate while holding a license: Inland Master 25-200 tons*
  • One year with 3 months on oceans: Near coastal OUPV
  • One year with 6 months on oceans: Near coastal Mate 25-200 tons*
  • Eighteen months with one year on towing vessels: Apprentice Mate (steersman)
  • Two years with one year on oceans: Near coastal Master 25-100 tons*
  • Two years with one year as Master or Mate while holding a license: Near coastal Master 25-200 tons*
  • Three years with 18 months on oceans and 2 years as Master or Mate while holding a license: Oceans Master 25-200 tons*

Click here to download the full document

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Upgrade to Master 200 tons

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Hello

I have completed my 100 ton masters course and USCG has approved the testing for a 200 ton mate. Will your 200 ton masters upgrade course provide me with the classroom refresher and the required tests for the 200 ton mate? (R of the R, Deck Gen, Nav Gen, Chart Nav)

Thanks

The Upgrade Master 100 to Master 200 ton approval states, “Any applicant who has successfully completed your 32-hour Upgrade Master 100 Tons to Master 200 Tons course and presents your Certificate of Training WITHIN ONE YEAR of the completion of training, will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 10.207 for upgrade of a license from Master 100 Tons Near Coastal to Master 200 Tons Near Coastal.”

The exams for Master 200 and Mate 200 are the same and this certificate of completion will satisfy the requirements for both. The course is four days and I charge $600 for it. It is offered Thursday through Sunday twice a month. The next scheduled course is from January 21 through January 24. I take a maximum of six students per class to insure that each student is treated as an individual and receives the personal instruction required to successfully complete the course.

Good Sailing,

Dennis

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License Renewal Question

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Hello there Dennis,

In looking at the coast guard page, I am not sure where I need to send my renewal application to. Can you help me out?

Thanks

Ryan

Ryan,

I am more than happy to point you in the right direction for a renewal.

All Merchant Mariner Credential applications must be submitted to the National Maritime Center through one of the 17 USCG Regional Exam Centers (REC). You may submit your application in person, through the mail, or by email.

Click here to view the REC locations

I highly recommend that you deliver your application in person to an REC. You will find an appointment scheduler under the map. All appointments with an REC are scheduled via the Internet appointment scheduler. If it is a hardship for you to visit an REC you can mail or email your application. Let me know if you are planning on doing this and I will send you some more information.

Click here to view a renewal application checklist that I created to assist mariners in license renewals

Please feel free to contact me if you need more information or further assistance.

Good Sailing,

Dennis

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New Medical Form Requirement

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Beginning January 1, 2010 all Merchant Marine Credential applications requiring a Medical Evaluation Report must use the new Medical Evaluation form provided by the USCG. Click on the link below to view the new form.

More forms and information is available on the following websites:

You are always welcome to contact me with application questions.

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