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Renewal of an MMC (Captain’s License)

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by Norseman, Sep 10, 2019.

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  1. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    We had a thread on the same subject 10 years ago, but it was closed down.

    Doing the renewal again and a few comments on the red tape:
    This time I am renewing my 100 ton ticket using sea-time: 360 days in the last 5 years: 6 days a month (@ 4 hours each day) easy, I spend lots of time on the water even if it is just goofing off.

    Got my USCG Medial 30 days ago, had to show proof of being in a Random Drug Testing program and other stuff, all approved, got the medical in the mail a week or two later, Easy.

    Doing the other stuff now: Sea Time and such, have to prove Drug Free once again.
    Told them I went though this last month..Nope, do it again: The USCG Medical Department is different from the USCG Renewal Department. :rolleyes:

    Ok, sent them a copy of my Membership Card in the Random Drug test program called The Marine Consortium, Inc.
    Nope, not good enough. Sent them a Letter from the same organization with gold seals and a statement I was in Compliance with CFR 46. part 16.
    Nope, not good enough: The needed the verbiage from CG Form 719P, part II, second page.
    (Marine Employer)
    Since I am the only Employer and Employee of Odin Charters, I wrote the Verbiage about me and signed it myself.
    This of course was exactly as requested but caused a melt-down in Miami.
    A stern Lady called me up, (courtesy call she said) and informed me that I can not write and sign my own letter, but 2 hours earlier she requested just such a letter from my Marine Employer. (Odin Charters)

    Now I called the Maritime Consortium, Inc and requested a different letter and for Renewal, rather than proof of compliance, no problem, within 10 minutes it was on my email shortly thereafter forwarded to the stern USCG Lady in Miami.

    Then there is the TWIC card for renewal: You don’t need it, if you can’t get it, if you can get it, but don’t need it, that is almost ok too.
    No idea what they want there, but I got a current TWIC card and sent it with the application.

    Curious to what the next Whack a Mole problem will be, but just a heads up to other guys trying to renew with rules changing every day and civilian lowest bid contractors hired to screen the applications before the USCG gets to see them.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Sending it to Miami for renewal was your biggest mistake.

    You have to send in a current actual drug test was your second mistake, I think within 90 days I go to Dr. Roche off of Andrews and SE 17th street.

    Not sending that along with your medical and everything together to renew both MMC and Medical certificate at the same time was your third mistake.

    USCG simply requires TWIC, because they're relying on TSA to do the extensive background check so they don't have to.

    Go to MPT and talk to them and make sure you have and have sent everything required and how to get yourself out of this mess.
  3. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Don’t need a drug test, exempt because of the Random Drug Test Program.

    Did not renew MMC and Medical at the same time, 3-4 weeks apart.

    You are required, except when you are not required, blurb on the Application:

    Somewhere in the instructions it said to deal with the nearest regional center, and to email the whole package.

    Still confused?
    Welcome to my world..:D
  4. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    I start the process at least a year ahead of time!
  5. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Renewals are easy I go to the place Capt J mentioned for the medical and drug test. Scan all the paperwork incl the TWIC exemption form and upload or email to USCG credential Center. That s it.
  6. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yup, I did the medical at the same place, but exempt from the drug test, easy.
    Also scanned all the forms and emailed them, but not so easy, see initial post.
  7. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    S
    Started 4 months ahead, should be enough, Hopefully..
  8. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Looks like I am the only one to be in a Random Drug program, rather than doing the drug test on renewal every 5 years: That is also the obstacle here: To prove I have never refused a random drug test.
    Got a call this morning from Miami, they are finally happy with my paperwork and now sending it to the CG.

    Anybody else doing charters and on the Random program?
    (The Consortium ID card was good enough to get the Medical, but not for the renewal. A letter from the Employee or Consortium is needed, hence the frustration yesterday and why I started this thread)
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Not doing charters, but have friends that did a consortium type thing. They still would just get a drug test done before renewing. It seems to just cut through the BS. Also it helps considerably on the time line if you send the medical, MMC renewal and everything in together. Also I did a renewal with Miami ONCE, 2 1/2 months went by and nothing, so I called.....I sent it Fedex with a signiature. they first were saying they never received it......after ten minutes of looking it was still at the bottom of the pile, problem was, they never got to the bottom of the pile!!!!!!!!!

    MPT usually tells me to send it to Hawaii or Oregon...….
  10. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    MPT told me the same 20 years ago, been using Oregon as well.
    Miami has been responsive, but would not accept various proof of Random Testing, until this morning.
    I am sure as hell not going to take a drug test when I am paying the Consortium annually: Don’t expect any more delays or problems, just had a rough day yesterday..:D
  11. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Just like I have to take a test even when using Seatime for renewal:

    Oh well, I need to brush up anyways and it will keep me out of the bars for a few days..:confused:
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I renewed my license earlier this year and didn't have to re-test. I've never heard of having to re-test IF you have the seatime. Is it possible your seatime is not on large enough tonnage to count for your license?
  13. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Quite possibly, the boats I listed (my own boats) did not have much tonnage.
    I thought about using the boats I helped you deliver 2 years ago, but was too lazy go that route when I had plenty of Seatime anyways, or so I thought.
    If this is the “Open Book” Test, it ain’t too bad, did it 10 years ago when I was short of Seatime back then.
    They will send me the details tomorrow.
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I didn’t know tonnage mattered on renewals, although it makes sense. Never been an issue for me so I never looked at it. Maybe they use the same 1.5 times of tonnage rule for renewals that they use for first issue?
  15. Capt Cole

    Capt Cole Member

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    Tonnage is a factor in renewals. An associate recently went through the renewal process and lacked the required amount of sea time. He told me about taking an open book test that allowed him to maintain his current rating. First I had heard of that.
  16. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    Even though I am employed full time on a yacht, I rarely can legitimately come up with the necessary sea time.
    I have had to take the at home tests several times, I actually just expect it now. It used to be easier to "check" your work when the questions were all online. Now you really have to work to find the questions, or did 4 years ago.

    I will be interested to see what they make me do this time around when I renew.
  17. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    This is what I have to do:

  18. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    How much Sea time and what tonnage did you have?
  19. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    95 days on a 6 ton boat, 110 days on a 3 ton and 200-300 days on small open boats, 17-20’.
    (In the past you could log sea time on any boat for a renewal, but not for upgrade or initial)
    Did deliveries on bigger boats, 30-50 tons, but did not think I needed to dig deep for all my Seatime, just the minimum required.

    Here is the check list for Renewal

    https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_01_web.pdf
  20. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Did you document the time on the 17-20 footers? I know there is a minimum for sea time to count but don’t recall what it is... 16’ maybe ?