Coast Guard License??????

[Capt Cefus]

I got a very interesting question from a person who stopped by our booth at the Atlanta Boat show.   He wanted a recommendation on the best way to get his Coast Guard Captain's license.   After going thru the basic requirements and testing required for a 6-pack OUPV license... he said he just wanted to get the information he needed to carry family and friends safely on the water.  After I congratulated him on having this high degree of concern and desire to operate his boat safely, I suggested he might start his journey to becoming a capable skipper by taking a US Power Squadron Safe Boating course. 

I also suggested our DVD, The Basics Of Boating, might be a good resource for him and his family to view.   

Safety on the water should be the objective of every skipper, and in fact, it's the absolute responsibility of every person who sits behind the helm.  Take the time to get the information you need and never exceed your skills or the capability of your boat. 

The DVD's   Basics of Boating   and   Improve Your Boating Skills are both great programs that deliver the information to help you become a better, safer boater.   Look for them in our On Line Store.

[Clint]

Capt. Cefus;
This is from another website and I figure Nuts & Bolts is an excellent forum for discussion and get the skinny on this apparent regulation.

If you hold a MMD (Merchant Mariner Document) issued after Feb. 3, 2003 or a MML (Merchant Mariner License) issued after Jan. 13, 2006 you do not need the security threat assessment and will pay the reduced fee of $105.25 instead of $132.50.
EVERYONE who holds a USCG license is required to get the TWIC. This is from the current CFR's:
46 CFR 10.113 - Transportation Worker Identifcation Credential.

By September 25, 2008 all mariners holding an active License, Certificate of Registry or STCW endorsement issued under this part must hold a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration under 49 CFR part 1572. Failure to obtain or hold a valid TWIC may serve as a basis for suspension or revocation of a mariner's license, COR or STCW endorsement under 46 U.S.C. 7702 and 7703.

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm

[Capt Cefus]

Great info.   I was at the Coast Guard Regional Testing Center in Miami last week, for that exact reason.   I had my passport  sized photo, and all my other credentials just to make sure... in order to get the TWIC.   The person there said only if I was getting a STCW license did I need to get that particular credential.   Apparently the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing at the moment.        Maybe I'll have to do it at my next renewal.

[Clint]

Where is the form for a Change of Address?

[Capt Cefus]

    And The Paperwork Reduction Act is only a figment of our imagination. 

[Clint]

Where is the form for a Change of Address?

If you happen to move and need to change your address on your Captain's License you need to write and request a change of address form:

USCG
Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 S.W. First Avenue, 3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33130

[Pressure Drop]

Signed up for mine I go Monday May 19th..If you don't hear from me after that date I may be in big trouble and will need some help

[Capt Cefus]

Get there early.   

[Clint]

I had to go to Jax today for business.  JPA was around the corner so I dropped in to see if I could get my TWIC........30 mins later, I strolled out $132.50 lighter with an invite to come back in 6-8 wks to get my card and have it activated...............I don't think I've gotten a screwin' like that since I bought the Duramax

[Capt Cefus]

Welcome to the United States of Bureaucracy 

[Clint]

Where is the form for a Change of Address?

If you happen to move and need to change your address on your Captain's License you need to write and request a change of address form:

USCG
Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 S.W. First Avenue, 3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33130

I guess I need to write another letter, this time sending it Certified mail.......