Comments on: Merchant Mariner Credential application process: Quick, nearly pain-free!

By: John

John — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:32:06 +0000

Well you need to start with the internet. Search Deck hand employment, but watch out for those sites who charge, you should never pay for employment info! Just surf the net for different marine transportation comapnies, Moran Transportation, Bouchard Trans, don jon, They’re many many comapanies out there, but I tell you the economy hit the maritime industry very hard and we arent on the upslide just yet, many people say just before summer we’ll see more cargo and commodities but you never know. Its very hard to get a entry level deck hand job because ther’re so many of us outa work. So if you find something hang onto it just until at least you get your upgrade on endorsement(A/B). Then you have a better chance in getting hired but not much better in the times we’re in. I work for a company on the miss river, if you want to work on inland water ways google that. You have different companies all up and down from Chicago to Davant La. So happy hunting and good luck hope to see all of you on the water!

By: Barbara Allen Washington

Barbara Allen Washington — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:26:05 +0000

I AM WAITING ON MY Z-CARD I HAVE NO SEA TIME SO I WILL APP FOR ENTER LEVEL SO WARE DO I START.

By: joe serrao

joe serrao — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:51:53 +0000

Thanks, If it has to be in the last 3 years I guess I will only be able to use it for resume puposes, not as a quicker route to A/B, but every little bit helps. Thanks again for the reply.
Joe

By: Mariness

Mariness — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:18:04 +0000

Joe S.,
For Military records requests go to: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html.
You’ll need to provide either Transcript of Sea Service, (page four and eight of the service record), Performance Evaluations, History of Assignments, or letters of qualification.
Depending on your military rating, your sea service MAY be creditable for up to 60% of time served. Also, your sea service needs to have been w/in the last 3 years for.

By: joe serrao

joe serrao — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:54:11 +0000

Hi guy’s, I have just returned from 14 months in Iraq as a convoy driver. I am planning on starting the mmd/twic process this week. I was in the USN from 87-91, in deck dept. and I have quite a bit of sea time. I have been told that a dd-214 is not acceptable as proof of sea time. Does anyone know the correct route to take to get a compliant
verification of USN sea time?

By: John S. Parkin

John S. Parkin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:12:26 +0000

Whats going on fellow mariners. Look My family has been on the Delaware river for over 60 years now. My pops in a Master Cpt. on a tug. After getting my MMC and Twic card some 7 months ago they couldnt find me not one job. NOT ONE. Its the economy its down in the dumps right now for everyone. So I hit the internet. I hit it hard. Sent out over 100 resume’s and online applications. Finally I got one reply. On company called me. I live in Biloxi MS. The company is out of Metroplois IL. I got in my car and drove 11 hours that day they called and interveiwed the next morning. Needless to say they hired me. So for anyone looking for a entry level job, the key is PERSISTANCE! Just keep sending out resumes’ and keep filling out the online apps. Im employed on a river boat, Ive never worked on a barge boat before and it was way different from the harbor tugs Im used to. Not to mention much more dangerous! So yeah, I recieved my MMC 22 days after submitting my app to the USCG exam center in Mandeville, La. But there was one hold up, when you apply for your TWIC card tell them your occupation is MERCHANT MARINE. If I didnt follow my application online, I wouldve had to wait for a ltter. But the USCG has a page you can trackl your application. Once I saw there was a issue I called and they walked me through it, still only 22 days. Well I leave again tommorro for my 28 days on. Its a great job and love it! The 28 on and 28 off stinks a little but hey I have a job right? Thanks and be safe.

By: John J. Enriquez

John J. Enriquez — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:35:08 +0000

Sound like the REC Long Beach.
But then, we’re all good.

By: Tim Flanagan

Tim Flanagan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:16:06 +0000

Wait a minute, what? I’m not sure what you mean, Preston. If you mean that I wrote the articles because I thought it was a good story and might generate traffic, you’re right! It’s a blog, after all…the whole point is to generate traffic.

If, however, you were suggesting that I’m some kind of shill for the USCG, I would be obliged to correct that misapprehension on your part.

By: Preston

Preston — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:42:10 +0000

“Did you know that the USCG is using this blog entry as a poster child for “how well” they are doing?”

Haha- of course he knows that. Why do you think he wrote the articles?

By: Matthew Zuchowski

Matthew Zuchowski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:34:39 +0000

Thanks for the helpful info on the MMC.
I’m changing careers and have virtually zero sea experience. I’m looking at starting here:
http://www.northeastmaritime.com/maritime/thinking-of-a-new-career/

By: C.Chandler

C.Chandler — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:08:34 +0000

To Jarrod,

Getting a maritime job is the same as getting any other job, but me im going the piney point, its a sure way to start out, competitive world out there..and with no trainig you are not really competition to anybody else tryn to get the job with a lil training so good luck on that…..

By: tracy

tracy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:52:40 +0000

I got my TWIC card in only 5 days.

By: franklin manglona

franklin manglona — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:40:57 +0000

im gonna be be signing up soon what jobs are there do they have guards or anything that pays good hows the pay

By: James Burnett

James Burnett — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:40:07 +0000

Hello Tim
I have had a dream about working my way around the world
Then stay in Austraila for a year .and then work my way back home.
I have all my documents (Z-card /TWIC/passport),this leaves me for my next stage.
Do you know of any places for a strong mechanic willing to work for 6 months while waiting for school to get the STCW-95 training
any ascendants,Will be greatly apprecited

By: Tim Flanagan

Tim Flanagan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:34:49 +0000

Yes, it arrived 24 days later. To be sure, my application was extremely straightforward. Lots of folks are frustrated with the system, for many reasons. I haven’t heard as much about the MMC process as I have about the TWIC process. I’ve discussed that a tiny bit here: http://www.pugetsoundmaritime.com/2009/08/twic-enrollment-not-so-easy-for-everyone/

By: Fran Steel

Fran Steel — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:09:53 +0000

Well, I might have knocked on some wood before you when and shouted to the world that it was “quick and nearly pain-free”.
Do you have your MMC yet?
Did you know that the USCG is using this blog entry as a poster child for “how well” they are doing?
Did you know that many, many, many, many mariners are pretty sick and tired of NMC screwing up their MMCs?
Not to throw cold water, just a little reality.
Good luck and I sincerely hope that all of your USCG experiences are as pleasant as this one was.

By: Jarrod Dease

Jarrod Dease — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:23:27 +0000

i have had my MMD since 06 and havent found any entry leve jobs yet. i went to several union halls and they told me i had to go to Piney Point. So i drove there from VA to MD and was told that i had to attend the training school for about 6-9 month give or take a few. without pay. is there any other way to get connected with any job without having to go to that school. please contact me, if anyone has any sugjestions. dease13@yahoo.com

By: TWIC enrollment: not so easy for everyone

TWIC enrollment: not so easy for everyone — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:22:56 +0000

[...] written a lot recently about my quick and painless experience acquiring a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential [...]

By: Anderson Azevedo

Anderson Azevedo — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:36:59 +0000

Well I am surprised how quick my I got my M.M.C.! as soon as I was clear from me the medical evaluator it was quick ! In matter of two days I got my stuff back….. Yeah swallow that Baltimore REC! N.M.C. keep up the good work.

By: cahbreis

cahbreis — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:36:48 +0000

Thanks so much for the post, Tim! All the sites I’ve looked at have been written in Greek. This really helps and encourages me!