There was a couple month period (summer to fall '09) when the CG was not putting ALL the applicable STCW credentials in new/ renewed MMD, MMCs.
For example, I had renewed in the summer of '09, and I got back my MMC with Able seaman, RFPNW, and BST. But no mention of OICNW, Advanced FF, Survival craft, and Master Management. The CG felt that these STCW endorsements were “superfluous”, since you HAD to have them to even get a license. But the IMO convention to have everything you have earned spelled out so ‘even a caveman’ can figure out your qualifications. [U]However when I went in to upgrade in March i got ALL my STCW endorsements on my new MMC. what a difference a couple months makes![/U]
The apparent philosophy was to put on what STCW codes the CG felt was appropriate. However, the IMO convention is to have ALL applicable relevant STCW endorsements, and training listed in their entirety ON the MMC. The usefulness is apparent when being boarded by other authorities it will be easier to have a unified credential, which is the same around the world.