In a lot of your advertising and releases concerning your changes in the handling of documentation to Mariners, you keep using the term "LICENSE" as the past method of issuing a qualification document.
In your new releases you talk about the new mariners "CREDENTIAL" . Have heard some scuttlebutt out here that this is a fundemental difference in legal descriptions between the two, and that a "credential" can leave the holder out in the harbor without a lot of legal protections.
Any "legal types" have anything to explain the differences, or is this just another waterfront rumor going around that is hurting, even more, the CG credibility in the marine field ??
Not an expert, but here you go. A "document" is what used to be refered to as a "Z" card. And now refered to as a "merchants mariners document" it's small in size similar to a drivers license or Military ID card. A license is a piece of paper, a certificate, one may choose to frame. An example of a license may be any number of things like, Chief Engineer or Master 1600 GRT Oceans and so on ect. For more detailed info on the differences and or requirments for each or both, go to the National Maritime Centers website. Dont have it fornt of me but a searchenginewill get you there.
Appreciate it. It does indeed,because I have been trained that the License must be in your possession, is always posted where you sail, and is required by the USC to be posted. The root of the argument/discussion had to do with the fact that the "License" is the permission granted by an authority to an individual to perform a service or profession. And as such, there were a lot of safeguards in place to protect the holder / possessor of the license.
The "Credential" was a piece of paper, card, or what have you, ISSUED to the holder, authorizing someone to perform a service, but it remained the property of the issuing authority and could be recalled/rescinded at the whim of the issuing authority.
I wasn't quite following where these deep sea Masters were going with this, but it seemed to make sense, and kind of indicated that it was a drastic turn about in the way the CG does business.
They sure weren't too pleased about the deal, and have my curiosity. Will be looking into an association that has formed to fight/argue against this change.
What you have heard rumors about is the new document that the CG is going to be issuing instead of Licenses and Credentials.
The new document is about the same size as a passport and will be issued to licensed and unlicensed crew members. Inside the book it will state what positions the barer is qualified to fill. It will also include STCW so you will no longer have to carry two papers.
I'm not sure when the new papers are coming out but I believe it will be in the next year or so.
Nothing is changing in regards to what your license allows you to do or what your document/zcard/credential allows you to do. The only law that may change is the requirement to hang your license on the ship as the new books are not designed to be used in that fashion.
