News From Fort Schuyler

March 31, 1999 - License Renewal Responses

DON'T PLAY IT LIGHTLY - "Great issue," writes DETLEF PRESSER, Class of 1980. "Unfortunately it is about ten years too late for me, but should be helpful to those who are about to find out what a game of Russian roulette they are about to face in the renewal process."

"My first five year renewal came after having worked in the defense industry as a Senior Engineer, integrating electrical and electronic subsystems in a wide diversity of weapon systems, admittedly not related to maritime activity, but certainly requiring a significant amount of practical and hands-on engineering experience. I described my current duties to an office at my local USCG examination center and was told to document this in my renewal application and was subsequently approved."

"Five years later, I felt much more confident, since my duties now included system integration on Naval Vessels with duties including interface design with the vessel designers, manufacturers, and installation teams. I spent significant amounts of time on board the vessel trouble shooting with systems and studying the on-board interface. Unfortunately, this time I was turned down for renewal, even after speaking to the local examination officer. To make things worse, the 70 question exam came during one of my extended overseas duties and I missed the deadline. Now the only way to requalify is to take the entire exam again, which at this stage of my career is unlikely. However, I do miss being able to proudly display my license certificate without stating that it is no longer valid."

"Don't play it lightly. What took years to earn is quickly lost and difficult to recapture ! I certainly agree with the other responders tat there does not appear to be any uniformity of application of the renewal requirements when it comes to the 'maritime related industry' standards."

KEEP IT ACTIVE - "Active 'watch standing' should be part of any requirement for upgrading of any License, Deck or Engine, " writes KEN COFFEY, Class of 1948.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LICENSE - After observing: "I have recorded four different answers from four different OCMI's," GERARD J. NOLAN, Class of 1956, writes "Best answers to his problem: GO TO ANOTHER OCMI. Silly though this may sound, it works." In a follow up e-mail, Jerry explained that OCMI stood for Officer in Charge Marine Inspection, and concluded: "Quite clearly, different districts have different rules. The four that I had differing info from were Baltimore, Honolulu, Guam and San Francisco. My local guys, i.e., Baltimore, gave me the nearest correct answer. Forget Washington!"

CONTINUITY RENEWAL - This note from ED DANGLER, Class of 1949: "....you might be aware that USCG can and does renew licenses without any professional requirements or maritime industry affiliation on the "Continuity Renewal" basis. This particular exception to the professional requirement is available for those " ...unwilling or otherwise unable to meet the requirements covered in the REC rules. Such individuals may opt to renew with the restrictive endorsement placed on the back of the document. "RENEWED FOR CONTINUITY PURPOSES ONLY; SERVICE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PROHIBITED' " Same hold true for renewal of Merchant Mariner's Document."

"This provision should be helpful to those who do not have 360 days sea time within the previous 5 years, OR completed an approved refresher course, OR, Comprehensive Open Book Renewal Examination, OR Three years of marine related shoreside employment within the past 5 years. This latter category requires employment in position closely related to operation, construction, or repair of vessels..."

"Since this latter category seems to be the bone of contention of the poster to NFFS, I might suggest that if he/she is not currently planning on returning to sea for the near future, he/she could settle for the CONTINUITY RENEWAL category and avoid whatever bureaucratic hassle he /she has received. When and if that person does decide to return to sea, he can then try to reinstate the operational aspects of the license by doing the aforementioned options. At any rate it would be much safer for that individual, the vessel, and society in general, if after being shoreside for several years to take refresher training rather than try to stand an operational seagoing watch right at the start."

"In my personal case, I have been renewing my Unlimited Master - Steam and Motor Vessels every five years under the continuity renewal basis since 1982 when I no longer had the strong marine related aspects of my position.. I currently hold a 9th issue of that Master license. Obviously if I ever had the urge to return to sea, I would gladly refresh my radar observer status, and other courses as may be needed before even thinking of taking over a watch. If anyone wants a copy of the complete REC rules as promulgated by Long Beach, CA I would be happy to FAX/mail them a copy."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the specialized subject of this issue, it was only distributed to alumni and faculty subscribers.