A lot of the problem stems from the introduction of STCW and how that muddles things up. Some of the 'license renewal application' specialists won't even handle STCW holders for even renewal.
The 'centralized' NMC has actually helped remove a lot of the ambiguities in responses. But the whole divide on worldwide standards (brought to us by Filipinos and Pakistanis in the Maritime world makes me puke).
And discussing the 'El Faro' is quite appropo. Similar to the mariner licensing standards/ It is just those hull inspection standards that were skirted regardless of who the regulatory authority is/was.
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