One of the worst frustrations mariners encounter during the licensing process is the painstaking medical review. And the worst part about that was that there was no one at the NMC to actually speak to about questions or concerns regarding medical review. Well mariners have spoken up and the NMC has answered with the addition of a medical review officer available through the help desk to finally answer those tough questions.
Actions to Improve Mariner Medical Evaluations Processing April 12, 2011
(For the complete memo visit us at MyCaptainsclass.com)
The Commanding Officer of the National Maritime Center (NMC) has made several changes within the Mariner Medical Evaluations Division in order to improve customer service, while ensuring marine and public safety remains the priority for Mariner credentialing at the NMC.
1) Add a Mariner Medical Point of Contact: The NMC has assigned a full-lime, on-call government medical evaluator to receive calls from mariners and their physicians regarding their submitted applications. They can be contacted through the NMC Help Desk at 1-888-427-5662
2) Increase in Government Medical Personnel: Over the past 24 months. the Coast Guard has significantly increased the number of permanent government medical screeners, evaluators and reviewers.
3) New Medical Services Contract: In December of 2010, the Coast Guard awarded a new Medical Evaluations and Services contract to RGB Group Inc. of Miami, Florida. Adjustments to the review and processing of medical applications have been transitioned to the new contract provider and many revisions and improvements.
4) Adjustments to Medical Screening Procedures: Within the past several weeks, the NMC has conducted processing reviews in the medical state of application processing. These reviews have identified some measures for adjustment and alignment with the regulations. Incomplete medical applications remain the single largest cause for delays.
Updates will be made to the medical information on the NMC website to more clearly explain requirements and to improve our customer service in this area. Currently the average net processing for mariners without medical issues or lower risk medical reviews remains at around 16 days.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Boat Captain Training Approved Under Workforce Investment Act
Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training, based out of Appleton, Wisconsin, was just approved as an eligible training provider through the Bay Area Workforce Development Board under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Those who qualify for WIA programs can now receive the necessary education for a merchant mariner’s license (Captain’s license) through Explorer’s Guide to get back into the workforce.
“This is great news,” states Captain Gary Kulibert, lead instructor for Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training. “The addition of this funding adds to the variety of financial assistance options for our students. Displaced workers and other adults affected by lay-offs or business closings in the economic downturn now have a chance to get their Captain’s license and a new start in an exciting career field.”
This Wisconsin approval also permits people in other areas of the country to work with their local workforce development boards and case workers to determine if they qualify for this job retraining opportunity. “With this new approval, we already are helping an individual in Montana get his license for a job in Alaska,” says Kulibert. “This is a terrific opportunity to develop added skills in the competitive maritime trade.”
Explorer’s Guide offers accredited classroom, online, and blended maritime courses. Applicants should meet the minimum USCG requirements for a license. Individualized degree programs in the maritime trade are also available through a partnership with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin. For more information, contact Captain Gary at (800) 487-6029 or go to the website www.mycaptainsclass.com.
Interview Contact: Gary Kulibert,
Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training
3019 W Spencer St,
Appleton, Wisconsin, 54914
Tel: 800-487-6029
gary@explorers-guide.com
http://www.explorersguidellc.com
“This is great news,” states Captain Gary Kulibert, lead instructor for Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training. “The addition of this funding adds to the variety of financial assistance options for our students. Displaced workers and other adults affected by lay-offs or business closings in the economic downturn now have a chance to get their Captain’s license and a new start in an exciting career field.”
This Wisconsin approval also permits people in other areas of the country to work with their local workforce development boards and case workers to determine if they qualify for this job retraining opportunity. “With this new approval, we already are helping an individual in Montana get his license for a job in Alaska,” says Kulibert. “This is a terrific opportunity to develop added skills in the competitive maritime trade.”
Explorer’s Guide offers accredited classroom, online, and blended maritime courses. Applicants should meet the minimum USCG requirements for a license. Individualized degree programs in the maritime trade are also available through a partnership with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wisconsin. For more information, contact Captain Gary at (800) 487-6029 or go to the website www.mycaptainsclass.com.
Interview Contact: Gary Kulibert,
Explorer’s Guide Maritime Training
3019 W Spencer St,
Appleton, Wisconsin, 54914
Tel: 800-487-6029
gary@explorers-guide.com
http://www.explorersguidellc.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Explorer's Guide Joins Linked In
For all of you that enjoy following us on our blog or Facebook join us in our new adventure on Linked In. Explorer's Guide not only let you take your classroom with you with our many great online and blended options, we also let you take trade news with you as well. Join in for all the latest news and updates right here or on one of our many other media outlets.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Our New Office Has Opened!
Explorer's Guide has finally made the big move to our new office in Appleton Wisconsin. The Office Staff includes Lead Instructor Gary Kulibert, Owner and head of Marketing, Brenda Kulibert and New to the Staff, Student Manager, Ben Korinek. Stop on down to meet the crew and check out our new digs at 3019 West Spencer Street in Appleton today!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Caution is advised for world travelers on the open sea
Mariners please be advised. Pirate attacks are becoming rampant in parts of the world. This is a sad story of just how it is affecting everyone, not just the big ships. Our thoughts go out to the families of these latest victims. Click here for video
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Delays in Mariner licenses
News from one of the NMC's Marine Credentialing Agents states that there are significant delays in the medical review area of the License processing.
According to Mr. Rivera there is a backlog in review in the medical area at NMC resulting IN DELAYS CURRENTLY RUNNING 78 days or longer. This is just for the medical portion of the application.
This delay in processing applications is virtually eliminated for mariners provided there are ABSOLUTELY NO issues with an applicant's medical (719-K) portion as an application devoid of any medical condition will be picked up in pre-screening at NMC and circumvents the medical review requirement.
This is done once your completed batch file arrives at NMC and is reviewed by the pre-screener. Again, in order for this to happen, an applicant's "K" form has to be completely clear of any medical issues with absolutely no medical conditions reported or medications taken - not even over the counter. As an example, if the mariner lists that he or she takes vitamins or supplements of any kind, then all bets are off and the application would go to the bottom of the medical pile awaiting assignment.
Explorer's Guide Prides ourselves in keeping mariners informed of any news that could affect them. Keep watching our blog for updates and news that could affect you.
According to Mr. Rivera there is a backlog in review in the medical area at NMC resulting IN DELAYS CURRENTLY RUNNING 78 days or longer. This is just for the medical portion of the application.
This delay in processing applications is virtually eliminated for mariners provided there are ABSOLUTELY NO issues with an applicant's medical (719-K) portion as an application devoid of any medical condition will be picked up in pre-screening at NMC and circumvents the medical review requirement.
This is done once your completed batch file arrives at NMC and is reviewed by the pre-screener. Again, in order for this to happen, an applicant's "K" form has to be completely clear of any medical issues with absolutely no medical conditions reported or medications taken - not even over the counter. As an example, if the mariner lists that he or she takes vitamins or supplements of any kind, then all bets are off and the application would go to the bottom of the medical pile awaiting assignment.
Explorer's Guide Prides ourselves in keeping mariners informed of any news that could affect them. Keep watching our blog for updates and news that could affect you.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Marine Accidents
You have just gotten into an accident on the water, your boat is damaged and the Coast guard and the insurance company want answers right now. What do you do? Do you even know where to start? In times like this it’s nice to know you have someone to turn to help guide you through.
Accidents happen, instead of fearing the unknown, get the information you need to help yourself get through this situation and back on the water.
*The first step in any marine incident is to document exactly what happened in writing, with pictures, and witnesses if there are any. The best defense is knowing the facts and keeping them well documented.
* Find out the amount of damages inflicted to the boat, you passengers, other boats and see if it requires that you notify the coast guard. These amounts vary depending on the state but you can find links to this information on Explorer’s Guide’s Web page under resources.
*Report any necessary accidents to the Coast Guard with an accident report form that you can download at www.explorersguidellc.com
*Report your claim with all your documentation to your insurance company.
*Get a drug test done within 32 hours of the incident. If it happens on a weekend or you have trouble getting into see someone for this test call Toni at Explorer’s Guide at 715-360-3273 or download the drug test forms and take them to any Quest Lab that has available openings, you can see what labs are near your location and their hours at www.questdiagnostics.com
* The most important things to remember are to 1. stay calm, 2. document, document, document, and 3. get everything completed as soon as possible after the accident happens.
Accidents happen, instead of fearing the unknown, get the information you need to help yourself get through this situation and back on the water.
*The first step in any marine incident is to document exactly what happened in writing, with pictures, and witnesses if there are any. The best defense is knowing the facts and keeping them well documented.
* Find out the amount of damages inflicted to the boat, you passengers, other boats and see if it requires that you notify the coast guard. These amounts vary depending on the state but you can find links to this information on Explorer’s Guide’s Web page under resources.
*Report any necessary accidents to the Coast Guard with an accident report form that you can download at www.explorersguidellc.com
*Report your claim with all your documentation to your insurance company.
*Get a drug test done within 32 hours of the incident. If it happens on a weekend or you have trouble getting into see someone for this test call Toni at Explorer’s Guide at 715-360-3273 or download the drug test forms and take them to any Quest Lab that has available openings, you can see what labs are near your location and their hours at www.questdiagnostics.com
* The most important things to remember are to 1. stay calm, 2. document, document, document, and 3. get everything completed as soon as possible after the accident happens.
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