This is the letter that I received on Friday. Sounds like good news for me, but need to clarify the 1600 Master testing. Hopefully, it did not “fall” out of my folder enroute to WV:
Captain,
My branch was assigned to review the request for reconsideration submitted via e-mail below. After our review of your service and training, we have verified that you tested for and held a Mate 1600 Near Coastal in 2006.
On February 27, 2007, you applied for Master 1600 Near Coastal and Third Mate AGT Near Coastal. It was during this 2007 evaluation that we determined you had not met the OICNW requirements for the Mate 1600 Near Coastal you had been issued in 2006. Due to this error, the Mate 1600 Near Coastal license was then limited to an Inland Mate 1600, until such time that you completed all OICNW assessments and training. Additionally, once the OINCW assessments were provided you were incorrectly issued a Master 1600 Near Coastal instead of Mate 1600 credential. These critical errors hindered our ability to correctly assess your previously held credentials, which is why you were sent the deficiency letter for your current evaluation.
We cannot find documentation that you completed testing for a Master 1600 Near Coastal, which constitutes a critical error and would require the removal of your 1600 Masters endorsement. However, we have taken into consideration your experience and excellent safety record. For these reasons, we will not pursue correction of this possible critical error.
Currently you meet the service requirements for a Third Mate. Now that the previously held Mate 1600 Near Coastal license has been verified, NMC Policy Letter 01-02, Paragraph 11(d) does apply to you and you will be issued the Third Mate without any further testing or assessments.
Thank you for your time and service.
Jennifer Hogge
Merchant Mariner Evaluation Specialist
National Maritime Center
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404
304-433-3654
(Fax) 304-433-3412