Seafarers are reminded not to wait until the last minute before renewing their documents. With current security concerns and a reorganization of the Coast Guard’s licensing program, what once took a few weeks may now take anywhere from 10-12 weeks—but just to be on the safe side, it is recommended that mariners start the renewal process six months in advance.The Coast Guard has begun to centralize its Marine Licensing and Documentation program with the National Maritime Center (NMC) in a new location near Martinsburg, W.Va. The 17 Regional Exam Centers (RECs) will continue to perform the important customer service tasks that require face-to-face contact with mariners and the training industry, including answering basic questions, verifying applicant identity and nationality, fingerprinting applicants, reviewing applications for completeness and administering examinations. The RECs will then forward the completed applications to the NMC for evaluation.
It is very important that when turning in an application to the REC, it is complete and not missing any item (e.g., results of a physical, drug test or court papers). The REC cannot send the application to the West Virginia center for processing until all the documentation for the application is in its possession. Additionally, it is suggested that seafarers not surrender their current (soon-to-expire) MMD when applying for a new one. Current documents are not required to be turned in even though applicants may be asked to do so.
The Seafarers Appeals Board has added Action Number 423 to amend Rule 6 of the Shipping Rules to allow members under certain circumstances to extend reliefs when their MMD renewal has not been processed in time (see sidebar below).
Earlier this year, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a web site “to provide merchant mariners with real-time information on the status of pending mariner credential applications.” According to the agency, merchant mariners may check the status of application packages throughout the verification and approval process by logging onto http://homeport. uscg.mil/, clicking on the Merchant Mariners tab and then clicking on Merchant Mariner Application Status.
In announcing the new site, the Coast Guard noted, “When application information is entered, Homeport will display the information submitted with the application package and current application status information. Mariner credentials that have already been issued will be displayed in Homeport as ‘issued’ for a 120-day period. Mariners who need additional information after visiting the web site can request additional information by telephone or email.”
Passports are another form of documentation that no seafarer should be without.
Since the new requirement for air travelers returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean took effect Jan. 23, 2007, average wait times to get a passport have soared from three weeks to between 10 and 12 weeks on average. The State Department received more applications than it expected after the new regulations went into effect and has admitted to a backlog in the millions.
To help alleviate the problem, passport officials have expanded operation hours at all 17 production facilities and formed task forces of trained volunteers to answer questions and help with processing. Unlike MMDs, applicants will have to surrender their current passport when renewing.
Oftentimes, one of these important documents is due to expire while a seafarer is aboard ship. This should not happen. It is the responsibility of each person to manage his or her rotation well in advance so as not to get caught with an expired document. The bottom line is—whether it’s an MMD, passport, driver’s license, drug test, etc.—no one should wait until the last minute to renew these important documents. They are the tools that help all seafarers in their chosen careers.
SAB Action Number 423
A seaman employed as a permanent or trip tour rating who has registered, in accordance with Rule 2. Shipping Procedure, Item G., 7, and is waiting on the return of his Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) while renewing and has submitted evidence that a renewal MMD has been applied for at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the MMD, may have a relief period extended until such time as his Merchant Mariner Document has been returned. Once the permanent or trip tour seaman has received his document, he may return to his permanent position aboard the vessel, and transportation to the vessel shall be paid by the Company in accordance with the provisions of these rules. The departing relief shall also have his transportation paid by the Company back to his original U.S. port of engagement.
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