15 October 2012

Now try and keep a straight face...

There's a retired Coastie Captain by the name of Dennis Bryant. He has -- surprise -- a consulting business. AND he writes a newsletter which occasionally has assertions that would embarrass a White House Intern. Vide:
USCG - policy re STCW Convention The US Coast Guard posted a notice stating that it is making available three policy letters providing guidance to vessels and mariners subject to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention). CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-05 provides guidance on hours or rest requirements. It includes for possible use the IMO/ILO model format for record of hours of work or hours of rest of seafarers. CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-06 provides guidance on issuance of endorsements for Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD) and vessel personnel requiring security awareness training. CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-07 provides guidance on issuance of endorsements and approval of training to meet the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention. 77 Fed. Reg. 62434 (October 15, 2012). Note: As usual, the Coast Guard is working to minimize the inconvenience to the maritime community caused by the disparity between international deadlines and the cumbersome domestic regulatory process.
The emphasis, need I say, is added. For the record, the presidents of the largest maritime unions and the Presidents/Superintendents of the seven maritime academies & colleges have written to "Big Sis", the Secretary of Homeland Security urging her to get the light-blue-suiters off the pot. Those who think this qualifies as working to minimize the inconvenience are hereby and herewith encouraged to stand up and wipe their chins!