[QUOTE=Diesel;26817]Fellas, It appears to me we are looking at two different things here. What is coming up is just the CG attempt to implement what was passed 15 years ago. They could I guess theoretically implement at any time. The 2010 rewrites won’t go into effect for years. I’m just going to continue and hope for Fall or Winter 2010 implementation. If not then I guess plan B. Hopefully, the veil of secrecy will be lifted soon and a clearer picture will emerge. I’m sure some of these schools are using this opportunistically to drum up some business, which is where all these newsletters are coming from. Keep putting out stuff you find though because we are all on the edge of our seats.[/QUOTE]
Nobody, and I mean nobody from the Coast Guard is allowed to comment on the answers that most of you guys want. There are laws to restrict this. The only way that the Coast Guard can comment, or we can give any feedback - has to be in a full open forum. That was the purpose of comment period and nationwide meetings. It was a legal requirement to facilitate conversation with the public. In my opinion, the comment period will yield no results. Mainly, because how long its been since STCW’95 went into effect and how long the USCG has had to get this right. I doubt they listen at all, but if the Coast Guard decided to change the propose rule, nothing will happen this year. The process will start over and public comment will need to happen regarding the changes.