WWII Merchant Mariners
Don't forget the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act" (S663 & HR23). This legislation needs to be acted upon soon if it is to have any significance. For more information as well as links to Representatives, go to www.usmm.org.
Question of the Week
| Deck Courses: Lengths & Tuition |
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*All courses marked * are U.S. Coast Guard-Approved. Note: Mariners interested in the Celestial Endorsement Classes should check with the school first. NMC has made some changes in procedure that may affect when you should add the endorsement. Technically, Celestial is now considered an "Increase in Scope." Candidates should already hold the Near Coastal license before adding the Celestial. If a candidate applies, for example, for a Master 500/1600 Oceans license, he or she will be required to take the Oceans examination at the Regional Examination Center. If a candidate, again as an example, holds a Master 500/1600 NC license, the Celestial "Increase in Scope" may be acquired by taking the approved course. If the Celestial is presented to NMC within one year of having taking a Rules of the Road exam at the REC, no other examinations are required.
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In the News
In the News
Collisions, groundings, piracy, rescues -- bad things, inexplicable things and, as in the freeing of Capt. Richard Phillips, very good things happen. Here is our record of such events as they come to our attention. Read More On the Quarter
On the Quarter
Barbecues in LaPaz? Flags of Convenience? Is 'acronym' an acronym? We are pretty sure our ruthlessly inquisitive father was born to blog, so we've invited him to do it here, in "On the Quarter." Read More
National Maritime Center
National Maritime Center
The National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia, is the US Coast Guard's processing center for all mariner licensing and credential transactions. The website provides information for new mariners, continuing mariners, returning mariners -- license and STCW requirements, applications, policy and guidance. It also enables the mariner to check on the status of his or her pending application. Read More
Regulation Watch
Regulation Watch
Mariners increasingly find themselves beset by regulations from a variety of sources. We will try to alert you here to significant changes (proposed and enacted) to maritime laws, affecting licensing requirements, examination procedures and documentation requirements as found in the Federal Register, USCG Navigation and Inspection Circulars (NVICs), Policy and Guidance Statements. Read More
Towing Licenses
Obtaining a Towing License
Over the last several years there have been significant changes in the licensing requirements for operators of towing vessels. It used to be that licenses authorizing operation on inspected vessels would satisfy the requirements for most towing vessels of lesser or equal tonnage. This is no longer the case. There are now several ways to become an officer on a towing vessel, ranging from the entry level Apprentice Steersman to service-in-training while holding a previously issued license. Read More