New NMC policy letter needed

[stevefoster]

@stevefoster;18692

I have read the same thing and this is my basis for my argument that the evaluators are not doing their homework. It seems that, like the insurance companys, they have a predetermined NO in their minds and find any ill perceived reason to apply that NO to our applications to test without reading the policies and Codes in whole. The only part of your letter that I saw as a small mistake was in the last paragraph the word quite was misspelled. But they probably won’t notice because they would have to read the whole letter to get to that part…

Hello all,
I have finally been approved to test for 3rd Mate Unlimited from 1600 Ton Master without the 16 or so additional certificates issued by “Coast Guard approved Schools” as per PL 01-02c. Below is a followup letter from Captain Stalfort, USCG:
Captain Foster,
I wanted to let you know that we’ve established a new Customer Service Center at NMC to assist mariners with their credential. The center will provide general information about the credentialing process, answer questions for mariners regarding requirements for various credentials, and resolve problems that mariners encounter throughout the process. The Customer Service Center can be contacted by email at http://uscg.mil/nmc/contact_iasknmc.asp or by phone at 1-888-IASKNMC. Should you need further assistance with your credentials, please contact the service center for immediate assistance. Please share this information with your fellow mariners.

Regards,
Dave

Captain David C. Stalfort
Commanding Officer
U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center
100 Forbes Drive,
Martinsburg, WV 25404
Phone: 304-433-3400
Fax: 304-433-3409
Mariner Information Call Center: 1-888-427-5662
Email: David.C.Stalfort@uscg.mil

The National Maritime Center is an ISO 9001-2000 compliant organization.

To automatically receive emails with up to date informtion on the Mariner Credential Program, subscribe to one of more of the available lists by going to our list server at http://cgls.uscg.mil/groups.php?ID=10.

For more information on improvements we’re making to the Mariner Credential Program, visit our web site at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.

And here is the approval to test letter from Jennifer Hogge, Head of the evaluators:

----- Original Message -----
From: “Hogge, Jennifer” <Jennifer.M.Hogge@uscg.mil>
To: <stevefoster@skyynett.com>
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 4:33 PM
Subject: Test letter for 3rd Mate AGT

Captain,
Attached is the approval to test letter for 3rd Mate AGT upon oceans, the
original letter will be mailed with the new Merchant Mariner Credential(MMC)
adding Master of Towing Vessels upon oceans and Western Rivers. The
credential production teams should print first thing in the morning and I
left instructions for 2-day express mail. I have waived the issuance fee for
the new MMC and the issuance fee already paid prior will be applied to the
3rd Mate issuance upon passing the exams. If any problems arise please feel
free to contact me, the below phone number is my direct number.

Jennifer Hogge
Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist
National Maritime Center
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404

I hope this helps others who are seeking the same license…

[rjbpilot]

Good Luck, hope you can pass it now after all that wrangling with the Coast Guard!:D;)

[stevefoster]

@rjbpilot;18788

Good Luck, hope you can pass it now after all that wrangling with the Coast Guard!:D;)

As you can probably appreciate…no worries there, it all fair winds now.

[rjbpilot]

…and following seas.

[Mr_100-ton]

Mr Foster, congratulations, bet you are happy with out having to sit for a 3 day compass class to learn you port from starboard or is it right from left, or something like that,
:D:D

[seadawg]

CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK STEVE!!

**suggest the NMC should consider adopting this decision for Capt. Foster as policy and publish it…that way all those concerned will have the same opportunity for the sake of "consistency and continuity!!

**my question…according to the license “flow chart” 2nd mate is a lateral/crossover to 1600tn Master with limited exam then why isn’t 1600tn Master afforded the same consideration and opportunity??

[anchorman]

[quote=seadawg;18799]CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK STEVE!!

**suggest the NMC should consider adopting this decision for Capt. Foster as policy and publish it…that way all those concerned will have the same opportunity for the sake of "consistency and continuity!![/quote]

I certainly hope this is the case for everyone. Good luck Steve! Capt.Lee has the record for the 3rd mate test. He did it all in one day, but he did not take the oceans module because he’s was a wimp, and still is.

[NAUTICART]

[quote=Mr 100-ton;18795]Mr Foster, congratulations, bet you are happy with out having to sit for a 3 day compass class to learn you port from starboard or is it right from left, or something like that,
:D:D[/quote]I’ve asked this one before…

[B]…and the “pointy” end is the bow. Right ? :D[/B]

[stevefoster]

@anchorman;18802

I certainly hope this is the case for everyone. Good luck Steve! Capt.Lee has the record for the 3rd mate test. He did it all in one day, but he did not take the oceans module because he’s was a wimp, and still is.

I wish to thank all the well wishers that have responded to my posts. I think things may be looking up regarding the NMC. To those sharing my same goals…Keep the faith, don’t give up, and focus, focus, focus…

[jdcavo]

[I][quote=seadawg;18799]…suggest the NMC should consider adopting this decision for Capt. Foster as policy and publish it…that way all those concerned will have the same opportunity for the sake of "consistency and continuity[/quote][/I]

It’s been under development since before this particular decision.

[Bulldog]

.
USCG has made many changes in how mariners advance in license. Once you finish the 3rd Mate courses prepare for the 12 courses you need to move up to Chief Mate and Master unlimited.
However, in all fairness to the USCG, IMO is driving a lot of compliance requirements for licenses. It also does not help when there is an accident and the coast guard investigates and finds the mate or captain not fully qualified

[Shellback]

[QUOTE=anchorman;17427]It seems to me, with out a doubt, that NMC needs to publish a new policy letter that covers those licensed mariners who hold licenses that do not have OICNW on their STCW, but hold licenses that are considered “operational Level” by STCW.
The USCG has effectively changed the definition of “Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch” to “Mate in Charge of a Navigational Watch” because of the lack of policy on operational level Masters.
Current policy is leaving way too much up for interpretation and there lies the inconsistency. Having a change of guard on the second floor should not affect the outcome of an applicant one way or another, and that has obviously been the case.
The problem starts with not having any STCW policy at all regarding operational level (500ton & 1600ton) Masters licenses, which are also OICNW.
A new broad policy should simply state that “ANY” applicant Master that currently has an “operational level” license, that either applies for an upgrade, or wants have OICNW endorsed of their STCW, and has a current STCW, can do so by: 1) By completion of assessments 2) Taking OICNW test.
OICNW shall be endorsed to STCW certificates for all 500ton&1600ton Masters licenses, but if the Master license was issued under the old system, 1) & 2) would have to be completed before upgrading.
Policy letter 01-02 should be specified that the enclosed requirements are for original applicants and upgrading applicants that have never held an operational level license.

 It's just plain stupid that you can actually get a Master license with less requirements than a Mates license under current policy. You can have a Mate OSV and go to 1600 ton Master because the current policy does not specify the Master license as an OICNW license, but if you apply for a 1600 ton Mate, forget about it, All of 01-02 applies. Nice little loop hole indeed. And, I can think of five or six more examples.[/QUOTE]

When you wrote this I was too new to understand what it all meant…Thanks Anchorman for watching out for the rest of us…