Uncategorized

May 31, 2023

Dear Mariner,

My name is Dave Abrams, and I am the CEO of Abrams Marine Group and Maritime Institute. My company,
Abrams Marine Group, purchased Mid Atlantic Maritime Academy, LLC (“MAMA”) assets in December 2021.
A recent notification was sent by the USCG alerting mariners about truncated courses conducted at MAMA. I
would like to take this opportunity to address that issue.

Since purchasing the company, I put in place a new management team that is committed to excellence and
upholding the highest standards of conduct in our industry. Working with the National Maritime Center, we turned
the company around culturally while implementing new systems and procedures to ensure all USCG standards of
training would be maintained in the future and thus created Maritime Institute, East.

My whole focus is about supporting mariners. We know this message from the Coast Guard about truncated
courses will be concerning to those who took evening classes at MAMA during the 2015 – 2019 time period, and I
want you to know that Maritime Institute is here to support those impacted by the truncated courses through the
attestation process, and re-testing or new course sessions if needed.

If you need support, please contact our dedicated Student Services team in Virginia at 757-464-6008, or email at
studentservices@maritimeinstitute.com. They will take care of you.

Thank you for your commitment to the maritime industry. The work you do is important, and we are here for you.

Sincerely,

Dave Abrams
CEO
Maritime Institute

MI MESSAGE RE TRUNCATED COURSES AT MID ATLANTIC MARITIME ACADEMY 2015 (PDF)

Sexual misconduct that occurs onboard U.S. flagged vessels harms mariners, interrupts safe operations, and often leads to accidents, lost careers, and a lifetime of trauma for the survivors who endure the abuse. The Coast Guard is committed to investigating and pursuing appropriate enforcement actions for all reports of sexual misconduct on U.S. flagged vessels. This MSIB supersedes the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy’s MSIB 11-21 “Reporting Sexual Assaults on U.S. Vessels” issued on December 16, 2021.

Recent changes to the law now require the responsible entity of a vessel, defined as the owner, master, or managing operator, to report any complaint or incident of harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault to the Coast Guard that violates company policy. To help facilitate reporting, the Coast Guard has consolidated reporting for all types of sexual misconduct and established multiple reporting options as detailed in the attached graphic. The reporting options include a CGIS Tips App, and/or the email address CGISTIPS@uscg.mil which can be used by all reporting sources, including bystanders and survivors, who have access to a smart phone or the internet. The reports, which can be anonymous or for attribution, are received and reviewed by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS). An investigation will be initiated for all reports received and someone will provide follow-up communications with all reporting sources who provide contact information. The Coast Guard also maintains a 24/7 watch, which can field reports of sexual misconduct via the National Command Center (NCC) phone number at 202-327-2100. CGIS will leverage all available resources to immediately initiate a criminal investigation for a sexual crime occurring on a U.S. flagged vessel anywhere in the world. The Coast Guard will respond to any reports of sexual misconduct with trained investigators and will hold offenders accountable through criminal prosecution and/or actions against U.S. Coast Guard issued merchant mariner credentials (MMCs).

The CGIS Tips App can be downloaded from a mobile provider’s marketplace using a QR code on the attached bulletin. MSIB_01_23_Sexual_Misconduct_Reporting_Requirements

If the responsible entity in charge of a U.S. flagged vessel makes a report, including providing detailed contact information for further follow-up, of a sexual misconduct incident through CGIS Tips, via the CGIS email at CGISTIPS@uscg.mil, or the NCC’s phone line the report will satisfy the reporting requirements of 46 U.S. Code § 10104(a).
Jeremy R. Gauthier, SES, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of the Coast Guard Investigative Service sends.

A significant number of original and renewal requests for qualification as a qualified assessor (QA) or designated examiner (DE) require additional information before the National Maritime Center (NMC) can process them.  46 CFR 10.405 and Navigation Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVIC) 19-14 and 03-16 provide the regulatory requirements and Coast Guard policy regarding qualification as a QA or DE.  Additional process information is located on the Training and Assessment page of the NMC website.  Requests for qualification as a QA or DE should be submitted in accordance with the instructions on the website, not with an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential.  Below is a list of information commonly missing from requests:

Original:

• Documentation of training or experience in assessment techniques (course completion certificates, professional certifications, performance evaluations, etc.).
• Qualification in the tasks requested (e.g., documentation provided indicates service on passenger vessels, when the request includes assessment of cargo handling tasks).
• Records of sea service should include vessel names and document numbers, days, position served, tonnage and/or horsepower, and route.
• Proof of having attained the level of experience to assess others.  The NVICs outline the level of experience the Coast Guard considers necessary to meet the regulatory requirement.  For DEs this is generally 1 year of experience serving as a Master of Towing Vessel on the route requested.

Renewal:

• Evidence of training, instruction, and/or experience in assessment techniques in the last 5 years.  If a QA or DE actively assessed others during the previous 5 years, provide evidence of those ongoing assessments (records of assessment, company statements, etc.).  Companies should provide positive statements clearly indicating ongoing assessment of others during the previous 5 years.  If the QA or DE has not been actively assessing others, provide proof in the form of course completion certificates or other records of having received training in assessment techniques during the previous 5 years.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, contact the NMC Customer Service Center by
e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Sincerely,

/B. W. Clare/

Bradley W. Clare
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Commanding Officer

• qa_de_qualification_requests_012722.pdf

San Diego, CA – Training Resources Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) of San Diego, CA and BoatUS
Foundation announced today that they will be collaborating to offer courses to recreational boaters in the Western
U.S.

TRLMI’s BoaterU^TM program together with the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water
are offering an easy way to try out recreational powerboating. The collaboration will start with four courses from
the National Safe Boating Council’s on-the-water boat handling curriculum, including: Introduction to
Powerboating; Precision Docking & Boat Handling; Open-Water Boat Handling; and Open-Water Advanced
Maneuvering. Classes are expected to start in January. Course details and signup can be found at
www.boatus.org/sandiego.

Taught aboard TRLMI’s twin engine training boat, each 3-hour course is priced at $175.00 and will initially be offered
at TRLMI’s location in San Diego, CA. Class size is limited to four students per vessel, ensuring each student gets
sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain. The minimum age to
participate is 16 years old, and training follows COVID safety protocols. Early registration is encouraged and there
is a three person minimum for courses.

BoatUS members will also have access to other courses in the BoaterU^TM program, including Boating Skills &
Seamanship, Diesel Engine Maintenance, Outboard Engine Maintenance, and Marine Electrical Systems. Additional
courses will be added in 2022, including Marine Electronics, Marine Weather, and Basic Celestial.

3980 Sherman Street, Suite 100. San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 263-1638
www.TRLMI.com

According to Dave Abrams, CEO of TRLMI, “We are excited to partner with BoatUS Foundation to offer boaters great
training options for increasing their skills and becoming safer on the water. BoatUS Foundation is a recognized
leader in the development and promotion of boating safety programs, and we are thrilled that they have chosen us
to be their training partner”

Alan Dennison, Program Supervisor for BoatUS Foundation added “TRLMI has been operating their BoaterU^TM
program for boaters in San Diego with great success, so it seemed natural to partner with them to offer our training
options on the West Coast. We expect to grow this program significantly in the years ahead.”
—
About TRLMI
Training Resources Limited, Inc, DBA Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) in the largest privately held provider of maritime
training in the Western United States. The company’s main campus in San Diego is an 18,000 square foot facility
with 14 classrooms, bridge & engine room simulators, and many “hands on” training aids. TRLMI has over 80
approved US Coast Guard and US Navy courses. The company started their BoaterU^TM Program in 2019 to expand
the use of their facilities and instructional staff to support recreational mariners. For more information, please visit
www.TRLMI.com and www.boateru.com or contact Dave Abrams, CEO at 619-263-1638.

About the BoatUS Foundation
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is an innovative leader promoting safe, clean and
responsible boating. The Foundation provides educational outreach directly to boaters and supports partner
organizations nationwide. With millions of boaters on the water, their aim is to reduce accidents and fatalities,
increase stewardship of our waterways and keep boating a safe and enjoyable pastime. The BoatUS Foundation is
a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their work is primarily funded by grants an

San Diego, CA (October 14, 2021) – Training Resources Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) of San Diego, CA and Orange Coast College’s Waterfront Campus announced today that they will be collaborating to offer professional mariner training at the new OCC Professional Mariner Training Center in Newport Beach.

According to Dave Abrams, CEO of TRLMI, “OCC has built a first class facility for mariners in Orange County, and we are thrilled to help them deliver an expanded range of USCG certified courses to support the local maritime community.”   TRLMI will provide curriculum and certified instructors to teach a range of courses at the new OCC Mariner Training Center starting in January 2022.     

 Sarah Hirsch, Director of the new Maritime Center added “We have been working with the team at TRLMI to support some of our current course offerings, so it seemed  natural to partner with them to expand our training opportunities for local mariners.  TRLMI has an outstanding reputation in the maritime community.”

—

About TRLMI

Training Resources Limited, Inc, DBA Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) in the largest privately held provider of maritime training in the Western United States.  The company’s main campus in San Diego is an 18,000 square foot facility with 14 classrooms, bridge & engine room simulators, and many “hands on” training aids.  TRLMI has over 80 approved US Coast Guard and US Navy courses to provide certifications in deck, engineering, weapons and safety requirements.  For more information, please visit www.TRLMI.com or contact Dave Abrams, CEO at 619-263-1638.

About the Orange Coast College Waterfront Campus

The Orange Coast College Waterfront Campus is home to a state-of-the art maritime training facility and a waterfront facility with boats ranging from 9 – 92 feet. Waterfront Campus programs include OCC’s nationally recognized intercollegiate Crew teams, the School of Sailing and Seamanship – one of the largest community boating programs in the nation, an accredited certificate and associates degree program for Professional Mariners, and continuing education opportunities for career mariners. Orange Coast College is a 2021 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) designee.  For more information, please visit www.waterfront.orangecoastcollege.edu or contact Sarah Hirsch, Director at 949.258.7091.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hamper Passport Services. To better serve mariners during this time we are updating our temporary provisions. These provisions are subject to change once operations are on a more normal footing.

Instructions for Urgent Assistance with Applying for a Passport

Qualifications

• Be a credentialed merchant mariner;
• Be eligible to apply on a DS-82 application for passport renewal. (Check eligibility at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html); and
• Have a current passport that is expired or expiring in 7 months or less.

Download Application and Mailing Instructions by Clicking on the Link Below: Updated policy for Mariners 8_25_2021_FINAL

Don’t miss the renewal deadline!

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, mariners were initially granted an extension on their credentials since courses and testing had become limited or unavailable.

The granted extensions are coming to an end. Please see below for the dates on when credentials and certificates are set to expire.

Merchant Mariner Credentials:

• National Endorsements
• STCW Endorsements

If your credentials were set to expire between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, your credential is now expiring before October 31, 2021 or 1 year after the initial expiration date of the credential.

Medical Certifications:

• National, Pilot, or STCW Medical Certificates:

If your credentials were set to expire between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, you medical certificate is now expiring before October 31, 2021 or 1 year after the initial expiration date of the credential.

Approval to Test Letters (ATT) and Course Completion Certificates:

If your credentials were set to expire between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, your approval to test will expire October 31, 2021.

Course seating is limited.  Book your renewal courses early, before the courses fill up. Courses Archive – Training Resources Maritime Institute (trlmi.com)

For credential renewal paperwork, please visit our website: USCG Forms & Checklists – Training Resources Maritime Institute (trlmi.com)