NMC WILL NOT BE EXTENDING THE GAP CLOSING DEADLINE
Due to circumstances beyond my control, specifically getting laid off from sailing on my near coastal license, upgrading to Oceans, going on an extended voyage (as AB) to make money, waiting for my first MM&P job to get the courses paid for at MITAGS, etc. I will be completing the ECDIS & Leadership on Nov 15, pretty much at the last minute.
As an applicant with MM&P the best time for me to get a job is the end of the year. Problem is if the voyage extends past Dec 31 (and they all will) I can’t ship without the sticker. So…I’ll be night mating for quite awhile. Someone mentioned to me that they heard NMC might grant leniency for those of us with certificates in hand but waiting for the stickers. As you can see from the letter below that probably ain’t gonna happen. Oh well.
"This is in response to your letter requesting leniency of the completion of
the ECDIS and Leadership and Managerial Skills. Because of the regulatory
changes that came into effect on March 24, 2014, the Navigation and Vessel
Inspection Circular (NVIC) 02-14, was published to provide a transition
process for the implementation of the 2010 STCW amendments.
In general, to facilitate the full compliance with the STCW requirements for
training and assessments, mariners must provide proof of completion of any
required training by January 1, 2017. Unfortunately, we cannot extend this
requirement.
We have extended the authority of any master/mate/engineering officer
endorsement applied for prior to March 24, 2014, by removing the gap closing
limitation. However, those endorsements issued after March 24, 2014 (until
after December 31, 2016) will continue to have the limitation, “Not valid
after December 31, 2016.” This will remain until the next renewal.
In addition, we have updated our website to notify the public of the
elevated processing times and the inventory for credential applications.
Management is currently reviewing different options to eliminate the
inventory and further steps have been taken to increase the efficiency and
productivity.
Due to increase of inventory we recommend that you submit your application
in advance. Applications are processed on the First in First Out basis,
however, an applicant that wishes to expedite their application must submit
a request to the NMC, and it will be sent to the appropriate personnel
for consideration. Basically, the expedites only pertain to the renewal
applicants i.e. MMC expired and the applicant submitted their application
well in advance and now the MMC expired due to our long processing times.
However, you may speed up the process of delivery by requesting expedited
shipping and sending a pre-paid label or envelope for overnight shipping
once the evaluation is complete. For details, please contact us.
The NMC has no say in MM&P’s policy, however, if you and others bring these
concerns to them, they may be able to adjust their policy based on the
negative impact to hundreds of mariners in their union.
You may also consider contacting the Coast Guard’s Mariner Credentialing
Program Policy Division (CG-CVC-4) directly if you are not satisfied with
the response provided.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have additional questions."