Foreign Marine Professional looking to obtain USCG License

Hey all!
I know it’s been a while and this thread was pretty much dead but wanted to see if I can get some more advice and questions answered.
So after leaving the cruise industry, I’ve moved full time into the US tug sector, having been taken on as Engineer with a tug company.
I’m still looking to get my USCG Engineers license(s) and now citizenship seems to be a whole bunch closer to being available, I’m trying to get my ducks in a row for this round of licensing.
So I know i have to get my STCW safety training from a USCG recognized training facility, but will I also have to redo my HELM courses and High Voltage certificates and all that? I’m really hoping not but have a feeling that I will as my current certificates were not obtained in the USA. Does anyone know which certificates, if any, will be accepted?
Another question is, is there any way to get in touch with the USCG licensing section and actually speak to someone that’s not on the NMC chat or phone centre? Feel if I could plead my case with someone who actually knows what’s what, I might be able to get somewhere.
Cheers!