A WHOLE NEW PROCESS!!

April 15, 2009 will be a date that will mark a major change in the way the Coast Guard processes applications for merchant mariner "credentials".  On that date, there were three major changes that all credentialed mariners and their employers should be keenly aware of.  

The first change is one that most who work in the industry have been tracking for almost 8 years.  The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is now required of anyone who holds a U. S. Coast Guard issued credential.  In fact, if you do NOT hold a TWIC at this time, your U. S. Coast Guard credential is NOT valid.   The best advice I can give on obtaining a TWIC is to go to TSA's web site and pre-enroll and find a location near you!  Their site is: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm.  Getting a TWIC requires two visits to an enrollment center, one to enroll and one to pick up the card.  Make sure you indicate on your TWIC application that you are a Merchant Mariner!! This will allow the Coast Guard to obtain all of the information you provided the TSA, when you enrolled.

The second change in the process is that you MUST hold a TWIC or have enrolled before the Coast Guard will accept your application.  However, this now means that the Coast Guard no longer needs to see you in person and will no longer need new fingerprints.  This means you can send in paperwork to the Coast Guard.  However, there are changes to that process as well.  You can mail it or walk it in to an REC and there is even talk about about allowing faxes and email submissions.  The REC will then send your package to NMC for evaluation.  My advice is to have a professional review your package before you have it submitted.  I know this sounds like I'm drumming up business (which I am), but there are no longer any evaluators at the REC to talk to about the process or about the qualifications needed.  Also, if you have specific questions, NMC won't really answer them unless you apply for a credential!!  The bottom line is that the new process allows flexibility in how you can submit your package. 

The third big change is the actual credential that's being issued by the Coast Guard.  The new credential is designed like a U. S. Passport and will list all of your qualifications as Officer Endorsements, Ratings Endorsements, and STCW certifications.   This also means that the fees you pay to the Coast Guard are streamlined because they are issing only one credential! 

There is a fourth change that will be transparent to most mariners.  The regulations were changed to align with aforemented three changes.  But that's for another blog!! My head is still spinning from the first three!!