Is there any penalty for letting a RADAR cert expire before taking the RADAR Refresher course? <br><br>Any places in the Seattle?Tacoma or SanDiego area to take the Refresher course, (I know of PMI Seattle and the place on Rosecrans in SD and the twin brothers school in Seattle)<br><br>Thanks
You mean OTHER than having to sit through another full Radar class?<br>I recently completed my refresher and watched as a couple people were sent on their way for having expired Certs. One of the pre-reqs WAS a valid cert and they (SeaSchool JAX) wanted to see the certificate.<br><br>I’m sure Mr. Cavo will have something worthwhile to add.<br><br>JED sends <br><br>
No there isn’t. You can still do the one day renewal. PMI can do one just about anytime they have an approved instructor available. You don’t have to wait for a scheduled course. Give a call 206.441.2880. We’re closed today, and the rest of the week is busy but maybe next week?
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jolly tar and dougpine seem to have differing stories,Any others???
I let my radar lapse for about three years. All I needed was the one day class to get back the endorsement.
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[QUOTE=Jeffrox;2947]Is there any penalty for letting a RADAR cert expire before taking the RADAR Refresher course? <br><br>Any places in the Seattle?Tacoma or SanDiego area to take the Refresher course, (I know of PMI Seattle and the place on Rosecrans in SD and the twin brothers school in Seattle)<br><br>Thanks[/QUOTE]
I was in the same situation. It doesn’t have the expiration date on the MMC and I brain farted on the renewal. I called the NMC and they said I didn’t have to take the entire class over again. Just the recert and to fax the paperwork to them. The CFR is a little vague as far as I’m concerned. It used to say you could wait to do the recert up to 2 years (if the 5 year had expired) to have it sync with your MMC expiration date or something to that effect. Anyway, I guess I’m good.
"§ 11.480 Radar observer.
(a) This section contains the requirements that an applicant must meet to qualify as a radar observer. (Part 15 of this chapter specifies who must qualify as a radar observer.)
(b) If an applicant meets the requirements of this section, one of the following Radar-Observer endorsements will be added to his or her MMC:
(1) Radar Observer (Unlimited).
(2) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW).
(3) Radar Observer (Rivers).
© Radar Observer (Unlimited) is valid on all waters. Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW) is valid only for those waters other than the Great Lakes covered by the Inland Navigational Rules. Radar Observer (Rivers) is valid only on any river, canal, or similar body of water designated by the OCMI, but not beyond the boundary line.
(d) Except as provided by paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, each applicant for a Radar-Observer endorsement or for renewal of an endorsement must complete the appropriate course approved by the Coast Guard, receive the appropriate certificate of training, and present the certificate to the OCMI.
(e) An applicant who possesses a Radar-Observer endorsement, resides in a remote geographic area, and can substantiate to the satisfaction of the OCMI that the applicant’s absence will disrupt normal movement of commerce, or that the applicant cannot attend an approved Radar-Observer renewal course, may have his or her endorsement renewed upon successful completion of an examination administered by the Coast Guard, or by a third party acceptable to the Coast Guard.
(f) A Radar-Observer endorsement issued under this section is valid for 5 years after the month of issuance of the certificate of training from a course approved by the Coast Guard.
(g) A Radar-Observer endorsement may be renewed at any time.
(h) An applicant for renewal of a license or MMC that does not need a Radar-Observer endorsement may renew without meeting the requirements for the endorsement.
(i) An applicant seeking to raise the grade of a license or MMC endorsement or increase its scope, where the increased grade or scope requires a Radar-Observer certificate, may use an expired certificate to fulfill that requirement."
[QUOTE=Quimby;105238]I was in the same situation. It doesn’t have the expiration date on the MMC and I brain farted on the renewal. I called the NMC and they said I didn’t have to take the entire class over again. Just the recert and to fax the paperwork to them. The CFR is a little vague as far as I’m concerned. It used to say you could wait to do the recert up to 2 years (if the 5 year had expired) to have it sync with your MMC expiration date or something to that effect. Anyway, I guess I’m good.
"§ 11.480 Radar observer.
(a) This section contains the requirements that an applicant must meet to qualify as a radar observer. (Part 15 of this chapter specifies who must qualify as a radar observer.)
(b) If an applicant meets the requirements of this section, one of the following Radar-Observer endorsements will be added to his or her MMC:
(1) Radar Observer (Unlimited).
(2) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW).
(3) Radar Observer (Rivers).
© Radar Observer (Unlimited) is valid on all waters. Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW) is valid only for those waters other than the Great Lakes covered by the Inland Navigational Rules. Radar Observer (Rivers) is valid only on any river, canal, or similar body of water designated by the OCMI, but not beyond the boundary line.
(d) Except as provided by paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, each applicant for a Radar-Observer endorsement or for renewal of an endorsement must complete the appropriate course approved by the Coast Guard, receive the appropriate certificate of training, and present the certificate to the OCMI.
(e) An applicant who possesses a Radar-Observer endorsement, resides in a remote geographic area, and can substantiate to the satisfaction of the OCMI that the applicant’s absence will disrupt normal movement of commerce, or that the applicant cannot attend an approved Radar-Observer renewal course, may have his or her endorsement renewed upon successful completion of an examination administered by the Coast Guard, or by a third party acceptable to the Coast Guard.
(f) A Radar-Observer endorsement issued under this section is valid for 5 years after the month of issuance of the certificate of training from a course approved by the Coast Guard.
(g) A Radar-Observer endorsement may be renewed at any time.
(h) An applicant for renewal of a license or MMC that does not need a Radar-Observer endorsement may renew without meeting the requirements for the endorsement.
(i) An applicant seeking to raise the grade of a license or MMC endorsement or increase its scope, where the increased grade or scope requires a Radar-Observer certificate, may use an expired certificate to fulfill that requirement."[/QUOTE]
As long as your MMC has “Radar Observer” on it, you only have to take the re-certification course and carry a copy of the course certificate. You don’t need top send it to NMC or re-apply. If your MMCX does not say radar observer, it was expired when you last renewed and you will need to apply to have it added back. Carrying the course certificate alone won’t be enough. The course certificate is only to prove your radar observer endorsement is current, but your MMC has to have the endorsement on it.
MEBA offers on online recert course that is accepted by NMC
[QUOTE=jdcavo;105243]As long as your MMC has “Radar Observer” on it, you only have to take the re-certification course and carry a copy of the course certificate. You don’t need top send it to NMC or re-apply. If your MMCX does not say radar observer, it was expired when you last renewed and you will need to apply to have it added back. Carrying the course certificate alone won’t be enough. The course certificate is only to prove your radar observer endorsement is current, but your MMC has to have the endorsement on it.[/QUOTE]
Right, that’s my bad. I’m upgrading my license, so I’m assuming that’s why they said that. I didn’t filter myself before posting. My apologies.
Up in Edmonds Wa. Compass courses has 1 day renewal also.
[QUOTE=Azimuth;105244]MEBA offers on online recert course that is accepted by NMC[/QUOTE]
There are no Coast Guard approved online courses that don’t require you to take a proctored exam at a specified location. If you know the material and don’t need the refresher, it might be just as easy to take the “traditional” course, either way you are going to a school/testing site for a half day.
[QUOTE=Quimby;105253]Right, that’s my bad. I’m upgrading my license, so I’m assuming that’s why they said that. I didn’t filter myself before posting. My apologies.[/QUOTE]
I was providing more info than applies to you for the benefit of others readiong this.
Whenever upgrading or renewing, your radar observer needs to be current, or the new MMC won’t have the endorsement.
[QUOTE=leprechaun;105262]Up in Edmonds Wa. Compass courses has 1 day renewal also.[/QUOTE]
The courses are either “recertification” or “refresher” and both are approved to renew the radar endorsement. A “re-certification” course is one day (or less) and has minimal if any refresher traioning. It’s just the exam and maybe a little training to familiarize yourself with the equiopment that is used by that school. A “refresher” course is usually 3 days and has refresher training followed by the same exam as is in the shorter recertification course. If you go to the refresher course, you have to stay for the whole thing. In the recertification course, you can usually leave as soon as you pass the exam.
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Crawford’s in Ballard/Freemont, make use of their EXCELLENT online refresher package!
I just did the MEBA online course (and test at my local prometric testing center). it worked really well for me living in NV. i’d recommend it…
Does anyone know if they will still let you wait until your next renewal of the MMC to renew your radar? Heard that if it is within 2 years of expiration this is okay. Any feedback would be appreciated.
I just took the MEBA renewal and testing at Prometric as well. Excellent experience for me, beats the hell out of leaving St Louis and paying for travel, lodging, and meals for a test that took me less than 45 minutes to complete.
A couple of notes.
Take the time to read the material and drill on the quizzes and practice plots. If you can pass the quizzes and plots you’ll pass the exam. The timed plots start out with more “active” targets and you have to provide all information on all targets (Speed, Course, CPA, TCPA, New course, new CPA’s & new TCPA’s). As the times progressively decrease the targets become less active, in other words you get targets that are dead in the water or are on the same course and speed as your vessel so the amount of work needed to answer the questions decreases.
Testing at Prometric. As with anything in our industry the general population doesn’t understand what we do. When I arrived and starting pulling out my dividers and triangles they said, “No, you can’t bring anything into the exam room”. I pulled out the sheet from MEBA that indicated what I was supposed to have, yet they had to look it up on their system. Very strict environment, they make you take everything out of your pockets and pass a metal detecting wand around you. If it’s not on the list they have in their system you can’t take it into the room, including your pencil and eraser. So don’t show up with a .3mm mechanical pencil because you WILL NOT be allowed to use it.
At $225 it’s cheaper than many of the in person courses.
HIGHLY recommend!
[QUOTE=“TXIMR;105446”]Does anyone know if they will still let you wait until your next renewal of the MMC to renew your radar? Heard that if it is within 2 years of expiration this is okay. Any feedback would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
The new rule (since they stopped printing the expiration date on the license) is that you must have a certificate that is in date (the issue date is within 5 years) at all times. If you get boarded and your certificate was issued five years, one month ago you are illegal.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;113999]The new rule (since they stopped printing the expiration date on the license) is that you must have a certificate that is in date (the issue date is within 5 years) at all times. If you get boarded and your certificate was issued five years, one month ago you are illegal.[/QUOTE]
You also need to have “Radar Observer” in your MMC, and if you renew and can’t show a course in the past five years, you won’t get that endorsement. If you do not have the radar observer endorsement in your MMC, you’re not good for radar even if you have a valid course certificate.
[QUOTE=“jdcavo;114064”]
You also need to have “Radar Observer” in your MMC, and if you renew and can’t show a course in the past five years, you won’t get that endorsement. If you do not have the radar observer endorsement in your MMC, you’re not good for radar even if you have a valid course certificate.[/QUOTE]
True, I was just addressing the question of whether or not you can wait to renew your radar until you have to renew your mmc.