This discussion just further indicates that USCG licensing is in need of further reforms, simplification, and modernization.
It also further indicates why NMC ought to be shutdown and why licensing should return to the RECs.
The requirement should be that an applicant go to the REC in person to submit his application and remain present while it’s reviewed by a knowledgeable USCG staffer.
Any sort of abnormal seatime presented needs to be properly explained, or be rejected.