The journey to upgrading a United States Coast Guard License or to obtaining a Maritime Coast Guard Agency (MCA) license in the United Kingdom is a rough and confused sea of paperwork to navigate.
Enormity and fluidity are the bywords when working for multi government licenses. The rules are enormous and ever changing. Originally, the Seafarer’s Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW-95) program which sets the minimum international standards for professional mariners was designed by the United States Coast Guard and had literally thousands of pages of directives. The Global Marine Distress Safety System (GMDSS) was an early example of one of the issues associated with the STCW-95 code.
As recently as 2002, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the United States Coast Guard made a decision to adopt the same “question pool” for exams. This eliminated the somewhat bizarre situation in which the FCC answers on tests sometimes contradicted the answers developed by the USCG!
The above scenarios are just a few of the reasons that the journey to upgrading a USCG or MCA license is, at best, difficult. The Maritime Professional Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has a comprehensive informative web site that explains every aspect of classes needed, sea time required, lists of prerequisites, and all necessary forms. Take advantage of the knowledge that they so freely and professionally provide and get all of your paperwork right the first time. But remember, the only way that a license will get upgraded is through the diligence and the perseverance of the mariner.
All Coast Guard licenses are based on the documented gross tonnage (volume not weight) of the vessel where the sea service was performed. Documentation of sea time is of the utmost importance; without it, a Coast Guard license will stagnate. Blank sea service forms can be downloaded on the internet. Every mariner should carry these forms. It is too difficult to back track vessels that are long gone when you decide to upgrade your license. These valuable forms must be signed by the owner or the general manager or the Captain of the vessel where the sea service was performed. Obviously, you cannot sign your own forms if you are the Captain so be diligent and get all of the information about the boat and the proper signatures before you leave the vessel. (As a side note, Captains should give all departing crew their sea service forms.) Saving a copy of the proof of the vessel’s ownership and a copy of the vessel’s documentation papers is also prudent in case your sea time is ever questioned.
Save the copies of your drug screening tests and make sure that the screening facility puts your results on a United States Coast Guard approved form. Proof of a random screening program can also be beneficial.
You will need a physical exam performed within one year of your upgrade. There are certain medical conditions and/or prescription drugs that may disqualify you for a license or require a waiver. Again, be diligent, if you have a medical condition that requires medication, find out which medications are acceptable and which ones are not and act accordingly if a comparable change can be made.
Be honest on your license upgrade paperwork. If you have had a run-in with the law in recent years, send all of the paperwork regarding the incident with your application. The United States Coast Guard conducts a criminal background check and National Driver’s Registry Report on all applicants. They will catch you if you don’t tell the truth about your injudiciousness.
There are many Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers. Choose your center wisely. Personal attention regarding your licensing is so important. Remember that you can change your center if you feel that you would be better served at a different location. Ideally all paperwork should be processed the same at every center but in practice, some centers are easier to deal with than others. The price of airfare becomes insignificant if you are able to relate to the Coast Guard officer that is processing your license.
The United States Coast Guard will only accept ORIGINAL paperwork so make yourself a copy of everything that you send in or hand deliver for your upgrade. If you send your valuable papers use a form of traceable mail. Then, stay in contact with the processing officer so that you will be assured of the return of your original paperwork.
Maritime licenses can cost as much as a college education. Four years of college will give you one certificate. A Mariner’s license is composed of many certificates, letters, sea service forms, an MMD, an STCW-95, a passport or other proof of residency, all of which have different expiration dates. So, be diligent, be organized, stay current and keep all of your documentation in good order and in a safe place.
Captain Ted Sputh
Master 1600t USCG Oceans with Sail
Master 3000t MCA CoC Oceans wit Sail
Associated links
http://www.mptusa.com
www.msc.navy.mil/civmar/uscg/examcenters.htm
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