The New Hawsepipe

The Federal Register has issued a report on the “Training and Service Requirments for Merchant Mariners.”

Effective Oct 14th, 2008, this docket removes the expiration date of the RADAR observer endorsement on merchant marine licenses to avoid confusion.  Licensed mariners will be required to keep their RADAR training certification current and carry their cerificate with them.  For the entire docket in detail, read here:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-21118.pdf

This is a very big step forward for hawsepipers.  COMSC 12410.4 was signed by the commander in January of 2009 that contains the “Unlicensed to Licensed Mariner Degree Program.”  This program will allow mariners who currently sail for MSC to apply to Maritime Academies and obtain not only a bachelor’s degree, but an Officer’s license as well.  Please read the full article here:

http://www.msc.navy.mil/sealift/2009/February/perspective.htm