MERPAC WORK - STEADY AS SHE GOES

In January of this year I was appointed to the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC).  Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this committee was established in 1992 to advise the Commandant (USCG) on all matters relating to the training, qualification, licensing, certification, and fitness of merchant seaman.  MERPAC is composed of 19 members from various sectors of the maritime community.  I was appointed in a slot that represents the interests and view points of shipping companies.  However, I try to represent the best interests of all those who work in the maritime field and who are affected by the myriad of rules and regulations laid out both internationally and domestically.  This week we held our 2nd public meeting of 2009 (the first meeting of 2009 was held at Mass. Maritime in April).  What made this particular meeting special was this it was hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC), which is "ground zero" of the U. S. Coast Guard's merchant mariner certification program.  As many of you know, NMC is located in Martinsburg WV in a sparkling new, three story building, built and designed specifically for the NMC.  

MERPAC's "work" is to hold public meetings and to provide formal recommendations to the Coast Guard on any issues noted above.  The tools for that are laid out in "Task Statements" that are submitted to the Committee from the Coast Guard, the public, and the members of the Committee itself.  Approval of which task statements are taken on by the Committee are voted on in formal session during these public meetings.  I recommend going to MERPAC's home page on the Coast Guard's "Homeport" web portal.  It's listed under "Advisory Committees" in the Marine Safety page where you are able to obtain copies of Task Statements and minutes from the MERPAC public meetings.   

The "big news" to pass on at this time is that NMC is continuing to move forward with amending the process in which they issue mariner credentials.  Many changes have occurred this year and it will be a year that we will all look back on as a watershed for many changes made and those yet to come. As time moves on, the "process" for applying for a credential will evolve.  However, much work also lays ahead in reviewing and amending the treaties, laws, regulations, and policies that apply to this program.  Part of MERPAC's mission is to review these policies and make recommendations, based on committee and public input.  Like many things governmental, this takes time but it's important to keep pushing these issues and to work diligently to hold the Coast Guard and International Maritime Organization (IMO). This week, NMC provided us with an inside look at the work being done there.  Many improvements have been made with much work to do.  One of our "task statements" is to monitor the progress of NMC and this program.  

Our next meeting will be in March of 2010 in New Orleans (tentatively).  I encourage the public to pay attention to the work we do and to what the Coast Guard is doing in this program. MERPAC is a good tool to make your issues known to the maritime community and start the process of making positive changes to this crucial system.