New Changes to Licenses Rules

[seadawg]

OK so I "craw-fished" out of attending the NOLA meeting today..just as well..did "attend" via online "live feed"..20 minutes of presentation for a 90 page document/1 hour of comment..appeared to be approximately 20 persons in attendance..only 6 bothered to comment.. 3 from associations/3 from companies..not one active mariner commented..guess I indeed missed my 15 minutes of fame..would have felt like a goldfish in a soup bowl surrounded by cats..intend to comment "online"!!

**comment closes 2/16/2010..rules schedule to "finalize" this coming summer!!they will be posting to the "docket site" a "red line" version of the document..should be much easier to get through and understand!!

**view webcasts of all the "meetings" @..http://www.stcwregs.us/

[water]

**also is it just me or is the "time line" a tad rushed on this..USCG must be in a big hurry to squeeze this one out??

I attended the meeting in NO this morning, and can confirm. The person I spoke with avoided giving any date that the rules will be implemented, but indicated that they (USCG) wants to get them in effect as soon as possible to comply with STCW. So if you are in the process of getting all the necessary classes for your next upgrad (and have been spending $ to do it), expect the rules to change in the middle of the game...

Some comment highlights from the meeting:

*A redline version of the proposed changes is needed so the industry will know what the final version will actually be

NOTE: It was announced at the meeting that a redline version will be published on edocket within the next few days.

*The inland companies should be exempt from the STCW requirements

*There needs to be a clear path out of OSV to the rest of the industry

*Concern that the rest of the world is not being as diligent about enforcing the STCW as the USCG is

*Suggestion that engineers be licensed for less than 10,000 HP and greater than 10,000 HP, and throw out the 4,000 HP level

*It will be difficult for the marine industry to comply with the new rules

*There is a need to train low level engineers

*There has been no help or support from the USCG to help mariners or marine companies to pay for all the training that is required

*Concern of unintended consequences. We need time to study and better understand the proposed changes

*Concern about killing foreign work for US boats with the new regulations

*Several of the speakers urged that a transition period is needed to implement the new rules. The speaker EDO expressed concern that it takes one to two years for their school to implement any new classes for their school

*Lake of MODU specific requirements for personnel

*Those regulating the maritime industry should hold USCG licenses themselves so they have a better undestanding of the industry

No, there were not individual mariners who used the public comment period. I'm planning on submitting my comments in writing.

Hey, I may have missed a few. Check the link to the A/V coverage of the meeting for the real McCoy

[intheweeds]

This active mariner and a few others will be attending the Seattle comment period on Friday. Hope to post a few helpful notes (if any are presented) on this forum.

[seadawg]

**all 412 pages of the "redlined" document are now posted on the "docket site" page 2..can be viewed/downloaded @ http://www.regulations.gov/search/Re...SCG-2004-17914

a good read while you wait for the paint to dry!!

[shagways]

yea you gotta have your TWIC!!!!!! you can't even watch online without it..

[Flyer69]

Whats this mean they are getting rid of the 500 ton license? I hold a 500 GRT on Oceans, up for renewal in May 2012

[shippedout]

Page 207 of the document.

Existing 500 GRT licenses or officer endorsements in this category may be renewed or reissued; however, no original endorsements or raises of grade
to this tonnage category will be issued.

If an applicant holds a license or endorsement for
master or mate issued before [EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE]
for service on vessels of not more than 500 GRT/1,200 GT, and
an accompanying STCW endorsement, he or she may apply for an
upgrade:

The tonnage limitation on an applicant’s endorsement
will be increased to authorize service on vessels of less than
1,600 GRT/3,000 GT if the applicant provides evidence of 6
months of service on vessels of:
(i) 75 GRT or more for a mate’s license or endorsement;
or
(ii) 150 GRT/375 GT or more for a master’s license or
endorsement.
(2) The service required in paragraph (d)(1) of this
section may have been acquired before the applicant qualified
for his or her present license or endorsement of not more than
500 GRT/1,200 GT, and it may have been used to qualify for
that license or endorsement.

A lot of guys will be automatically upgraded.

[seadawg]

**view/download "redlined version" of the 412 page NPRM document from docket file page 2 @
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Re...SCG-2004-17914

**view video of all meetings @ http://www.stcwregs.us/

**make comment @ http://www.regulations.gov/search/Re...00006480a58fc4


**as this concerns most mariners on here..suggest that all those concerned consider at least "commenting" to request that the period for comments be extended!!

[Mike Bolinger]

Ok, will I have to get MEDPIC, first aid and cpr before my next renewal? Or to be in compliance with stcw 95? Will I have to get the upper level management courses before or after renewal or do I need them at all? Am I grandfathered into any of this bs? Currently holding 1600 Ton Master Oceans and Master of Tow Oceans and WR. Even if I don't have to get these new requirements will I have to get them now to be stcw compliant or to get considered for offshore employment? I am sure I could find this out if I had the time to wade through the red tape. But I don't so that is why I post this question. I know alot is still up in the air. But can any of these questions be answered now with some degree of certainty?

[danzante]

Mike,

Since you currently hold an active 1600 ton Master Oceans, you are just fine. You wouldn't have that credential unless you were already in compliance with STCW.

The USCG will not be taking away credentials (i.e. license, towing credential, etc.) from anyone; everybody gets grandfathered.

If you want to upgrade, however, to an unlimited license, you will have some training, assessments and examinations ahead of you, but you are good to go for now.

- Jill

[danzante]

I went to the USCG Public meeting in Seattle yesterday. Pretty good turnout (about 30 people?) and a nice mix of mariners representing training institutions, towing vessel operators, fishing companies, and small passenger vessel operators.

If you've seen the previous meetings on the streaming website, then you know that these meeting are definitely NOT question and answer periods. They are really just an opportunity to submit comments in a public forum. As others have posted previously on this thread, you can also submit your comments anytime before February 16 at this site.

In the Seattle meeting, there were approximately 6 people that got up and gave their comments. I don't want to misrepresent anyone, so you can watch the video to see the comments. I didn't really learn anything at the meeting, but it was good to see other people in the industry digging into the NPRM and making their voices heard.

Finally, I encourage (strongly) all mariners to read the NPRM - it isn't that bad and you can skip over all the sections that don't pertain to you. Then you should decide for yourself what makes sense and what doesn't, and then make a public comment.

[dougpine]

The USCG will not be taking away credentials (i.e. license, towing credential, etc.) from anyone; everybody gets grandfathered.

Not because of STCW, but the USCG will take away your towing endorsement if you don't have enough towing sea time between renewals.