I figure before long they’ll just have you download an app onto your phone to show your MMD. The USCG can come onboard, see the roster and link to the app to make sure everyone is copacetic. Assuming almost everyone hasn’t been replaced by AI by then. I figure ‘then’ is about 5-10 years.
1 Like
This was actually a feature in Homeport, though very temperamental and now defunded.
They probably were not anticipating Homeport getting DOGE’d when they printed that QR code. Spending about 2 minutes googling I actually cant figure out how to verify credentials at all at this point.
The FAA just gives you a credit card shaped license, which would make sense, but we have so much shit to put on our license I dont know how that would work.
Maybe I’m the weird one, but I travel with enough 8.5×11 sized documents I just dont intend to fold the credential. For document handling it would be so much easier for the captain to have a stack of flat paper instead of a stack of origami.
4 Likes
Yeah, it certainly got the DOGE treatment. The entire site is down. You need to email them to confirm a credential.
The link would take you to the Homeport page for credential verification and insert your MMC number and last name.
This should be it’s own thread.
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/announcements/2025/nmc_web_tools_unavailable_031725.pdf?ver=NixV1lhtPOL2IiF8qMvVUg%3D%3D×tamp=1742230901745
2 Likes
Like, the actual LICENSE? Or the license-like blurry/fuzzy black and white bullshit “credential” they tried to pass off as being just as good?
I’m referring to the ornamental license that looks okay from about 10’ away.
3 Likes
Talk about government efficiency.
1 Like
Yeah the older guys I know have the classic license scanned and set up in a way that you can put your license info in there and name and print the old style out. On the right paper you can’t tell the difference.
The rest of the world is going to electronic/digital licenses:
PS> This applies not only to personal licenses:
https://www.dnv.com/maritime/insights/topics/digitalization-in-the-maritime-industry/digital-class/
1 Like
And they no longer put your Social Security Number on it like they used to, so that at least was a step forward.
1 Like
I suppose it is inevitable. My first certificate as Master of a Foreign Going Ship was a hard backed booklet with my name in copperplate. Basically unchanged from my great grandfather’s when they changed from parchment. I had to return it with STCW and received a typed booklet without soul and my original certificate with a stamp in red ink with canceled on it. Placed on a windowsill in the sun the red ink faded some found out.
I never anticipated the plethora of certificates that I would have to carry, FRB, HUET, log books etc etc. It was starting to seriously impinge on my luggage allowance.
2 Likes
If you know anyone with the old Master’s license blank, PM me please. When they did that “for display purposes only” BS, they wiped from existence the different backgrounds for Masters and Chiefs.
1 Like
I’m glad I won’t experience the new license. It sounds awful. My credential still has a couple of years left on it. I’ve got a couple of my old paper licenses stacked in a plain black wooden frame. It’s hung in the master bedroom for my personal enjoyment.
For $hits and giggles, we should start pushing to do away with the fancy commission certificate the O’s get in the USCG…fair is fair, right? By their own analysis, the work to achieve such a thing doesn’t mean anything and think of how much MONEY the Gov’t could save if they did away with them for the USAF/USA/USN/USMC/NOAA Corps and USPHS, too!
4 Likes
The one I saw them using was standard license, not the fancy cursive writing style or the Master specific — but if I run across anyone who has it I’ll let you know.
They were smart enough to put “for display purposes only” in fine bold print on the outer edge.
1 Like
I just did a google image search & found several. I considered posting but thought better of it because the 1st one that came up has the guys name, issue # (6), license number & issue date of September 14th 2006. It wasn’t blue though.
1 Like
They’ve treated us, (merchant mariners)
With disrespect for generations now.
We live in a country where most people couldn’t tell you what the merchant marine is or how dependent they are on it.
Google merchant marine and see the crap that comes up.
2 Likes
They made a movie honoring that snake Walter Winchell before they ever made a real movie about us. (Action in the North Atlantic is a classic, albeit a little campy… but considering the goings-on at the time, it’s understandable.)
They say never speak ill of the dead, so Walter… good for you.
1 Like
Wasn’t there a guy in Ohio or something that had a reprint thing going on? I seem to remember he had a pretty good version and would even frame it for a fee, but I can’t find the info.
13 posts were split to a new topic: Merchant Mariner Credential Stamped as Passport?