NMC Problems

[GOMariner]

I put in for my Masters License and was told that I needed to retake Advanced FF and 88 Days. I took the course and sent in the 88 days, I paid another $100 dollars now I am being told some of my seatime letters from 2 years ago that were already approved are unacceptable now. I am going to file a protest, any other advice to stop this BS?

[anchorman]

Scan the letter, how you complied (provide copies), what NMC is telling you now and how you're being jerked around after going through their process. Email all of that to the Commanding Officer at NMC and copy your evaluator, make sure you ask for reconsideration, then crack a beer, and post the results here.

[seadog6608]

And fire off a PM on here to Mr. Cavo.

[anchorman]

Oh yeah, don't forget to ask what guidance was used requiring you to retake advanced firefighting to begin with.

[GOMariner]

Thanks for the advice Guys . Fired a emaiil off to the CO NMC with copies of the letter . I am now going to send one registered mail. The firefighting thing I tried to battle I sent 3 pages quoting cfrs and explaining I have continuing training, finally gave in just to get it over with . My next stop is my congressman office if this doesnt work . I have been trying to get this done since December , first they wouldnt accept 12 hour days then the firefighting thing Oh yeah then they refused to extend my time by a month so I could get it in, they made me file another application . I will let you know how this turns out.

[KPEngineer]

I have found the NMC to be completely ridiculous. You get a different answer every time you talk to them, assuming you even get to talk to your evaluator and they aren't just hiding behind the call screeners never returning your calls.

First they told me to ignore the Marine Safety Manual, then they said they used it to evaluate my time, then after I was approved to test they told me it was outdated again. Of course they still can't tell me what guidance they have that says the MSM is outdated.

Even the clerk at the REC told me to call my congressman.

[BMCSRetired]

Thanks for the advice Guys . Fired a emaiil off to the CO NMC with copies of the letter . I am now going to send one registered mail. The firefighting thing I tried to battle I sent 3 pages quoting cfrs and explaining I have continuing training, finally gave in just to get it over with . My next stop is my congressman office if this doesnt work . I have been trying to get this done since December , first they wouldnt accept 12 hour days then the firefighting thing Oh yeah then they refused to extend my time by a month so I could get it in, they made me file another application . I will let you know how this turns out.

Go to the Congressman NOW.

[Shellback]

First they told me to ignore the Marine Safety Manual, then they said they used it to evaluate my time, then after I was approved to test they told me it was outdated again. Of course they still can't tell me what guidance they have that says the MSM is outdated.

Even the clerk at the REC told me to call my congressman.

From page one of the Marine Safety Manual.

PURPOSE: This Manual provides information and Marine Safety program interpretations on international conventions and U.S. statutory and regulatory issues relating to marine industry personnel.

I too, would like to see the where the reference is that this is null and void? Do these people just make this shit up as they go? Are there no consequences?

Oh yea, our livelihoods are the consequence...

[Shellback]

I went back to the MSM and saw this passage..It would be kinda funny if it weren't so serious..

2. ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands, commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant commandants for directorates, Chief Counsel, and specialty staff offices at Headquarters shall ensure that personnel responsible for activities related to marine industry personnel are familiar with and guided by the provisions of this manual.

[Rocket187um]

I did an appeal and they took sea time away stating 12hr days were not allowed for that vessel and so I was denied my 3rd mate after having been approved! I'm still pissed. Plus, on there advice I flew to Seattle for a flashing light exam. Which cost me a pretty penny. This operation sucks!

What can a congressman do?

[KPEngineer]

I have spent 4 months working on an upgrade. I have left waaaaaay too many (unreturned) voicemails with NMC. I pulled out more than a few precious hairs and the ones I have left are a little more grey than when I started. I took 13 tests in 3 days at the REC. I have been approved then denied then approved again more than once by the NMC. I have been told not to use then MSM, then been referred to it, then been told its outdated, then been told we use it all the time.

What lessons have I learned?

1. Start six months before your license expires.
2. Stock up on Tums for all the heartburn they are going to give you.
3. Expect to get something rejected at least once and just consider it part of the process.
4. Keep a copy of 46 CFR handy and be able to quote sections to them.
5. Take some Tums
6. When you get approved to test, RUN don't walk to the nearest REC and take the tests before they change their minds.
7. They can and will change their minds.
8. Take some more Tums.
9. Time is money ... Sometimes it is better to just go with what they say instead of fighting it. (it would have taken me longer to fight having to take 8 of the 13 tests than it took to just take the darn things.)
10. Pass on your lessons learned to your shipmates ... along with any Tums you may have left over.

[seacap007]

KPEngineer, along with the tums it wouldn't hurt to have a few stress tabs as a booster... After 7 months and 2 weeks I have finally got my renewal, I guess you can say it's like getting your license for the very first time. One happy and relieved mariner here.
I had to make several physicians appointments in order to get the "amplifying information" NMC wanted,
take some extra tests(repeats), etc, etc, etc,... all this cost money, good thing I have good insurance or I'd be broke, out of work, and unable to get work because my credentials had expired. I started my renewal process in September of 2010... go figure.
Endorsements I've had for over 20 years were in question, and they were hesitant about placing them back on my license, finally after going back to the company I had worked for in the past, and getting a letter stating that I had participated in ongoing training and drills that they were satisfied in the end.
"Unbeliever" is a good word to use here. So you are right on with starting early on renewing and upgrading at least 8 months.
I did a post back in January of this year and thought it may be helpful to start a protest with signatures of mariners that have had similar experiences.

seacap007

[anchorman]

Start a year before, ask for delayed issuance so everything is ready to go in the queue, then issuance happens automatically. I know of several guys that did it this way and it worked pretty good. People should take advantage of this service. It doesn't help for those still upgrading.

[GOMariner]

I am still waiting on on my reconsideration response from the NMC , I hear they are backlogged about a month on thier reconsiderations . I contacted my congreesman to to see what he can do . But now my evaluator tells me that I cant renew my Master of Towing with my upgrade, I pointed out that in my sea service letters have "participated in training and drills for the the validity period of the MMC being renewed" in the letters, but he says I need sea service ltters on towing vessels . Has anyone run into this problem ?

[AndyEBMV]

I am still waiting on on my reconsideration response from the NMC , I hear they are backlogged about a month on thier reconsiderations . I contacted my congreesman to to see what he can do . But now my evaluator tells me that I cant renew my Master of Towing with my upgrade, I pointed out that in my sea service letters have "participated in training and drills for the the validity period of the MMC being renewed" in the letters, but he says I need sea service ltters on towing vessels . Has anyone run into this problem ?

Your evaluator is incorrect. You DO NOT need sea service on tugs to renew Master of Towing. As long as your service letter quotes the renewal requirement (as you stated) you should be all set. Feel free to contact me for further assistance as I help several mariners a week in my consulting business. They have been taking WAY too long with your application.

Regards,
Andy Hammond-Consulting
info@andyhammond.com
617-970-7760

[Capt.Mac]

Go Mariner,
Sounds as if this maybe too late, but check out the April 9, 2011 post I sent in, titled Mr Cavo, please. He clears up this matter of retaking the FF course again quite well, I am unsure how it applies if you have not already been licensed. My letter had to do with currently licensed mariners trying to up-grade. Good luck.
James

[GOMariner]

I quoted the CFRs that said you didnt need Adv FF for upgrades, I even sent copies of emails from IASKNMC that said you only have have to take Adv. FF once and I didnt need to take it for my upgrade . It did no good . I just went ahead and took it .