I’ve sailed with many old timers who swear nearly on their mothers that they believe the USCG and NMC look at us with disdain and this is all more or less deliberate. I’ve said it before— I find that hard to believe, however, this needless fiddle fucking with our documents often makes me dwell on their sentiments.
I still have the passport book for another 2 years. I hope by renewal time they come up with something better, more respectable and one which returns some sense of dignity to our professions. The paper licenses of the past were beautiful and so coveted that I know a few mariners who scanned them and were able to create blank templates. They fill in their info and print them on special paper to frame and keep at home, figuring if they won’t let me have a quality license (not credential) for display purposes, I’ll just make one myself.