You’ve done all of the hard work! Jumped through all of the hoops and have been working on vessels for the last few years. You look down and realize that it’s time to renew your Captain’s License, Now what?
MM-SEAS makes the complicated licensing process for Captains, Deckhands, Mates and Engineers simple with an easy to use software that does everything for you so you can get time back and stop worrying about your license.
If you are using MM-SEAS all of your documents should already be in the system, you’ve been noticing for a while the built in reminders telling you that your TWIC is close to expiring and decide it’s time to renew it.
You're in luck because renewing your TWIC is three easy steps!
Here’s a video that goes through the three steps to renew your Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) as well as how to easily add an image to MM-SEAS that you will need for renewing your USCG License.
Step 1: Fill out the online application on the TWIC for Industry website.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment on the TWIC for Industry website.
Step 3: Make sure you bring the right documents to your appointment!
This is the only part that gets a little tricky. Make sure you use the Universal Enroll Documents Tool to use to verify which identification documentation you need to bring with you to your appointment!
Then make sure you physically bring the documents with you to your appointment. You ABSOLUTELY NEED THEM!!!!!!
That’s it. Once you’ve done all three steps you are all set. If you are planning on submitting your USCG License application in the near future I would recommend uploading the proof of appointment when you get it to MM-SEAS. Make sure to upload your new TWIC when you get it in the mail.
P.S. Two Pro Tips
- The picture that they take for your TWIC will also be on your License. Make sure to look good as that picture is staying with you for FIVE years!!!
- The TWIC’s have been getting mailed out really fast. I’ve heard of folks getting them within a week of their appointment!
We built MM-SEAS to make this entire process super simple by organizing the paperwork and supporting documents underpinning Merchant Mariner credentials, ratings and licenses.
We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!
MM-SEAS is free to use on your own and if you need some more personalized help you can upgrade to MM-SEAS Expert Access inside of the site.
No matter what, when you are ready to submit your application you can do it yourself, or you can hand the whole thing to us. An MM-SEAS Navita Navigator walks you through submitting in Navita, the Coast Guard's new submission portal, on a short video call. No computer, or not up for a video call? Our team gets your application submitted to the Coast Guard for you anyway. A Stress-Free MMC is $399. Two MM-SEAS licensing experts check every page, we pay your Coast Guard fees at submission and charge your card so you never touch pay.gov, and we stay on it with the National Maritime Center until your credential is issued.
MM-SEAS Expert Access is $99 a year. It is your personal guidance counselor for USCG licensing: what training you need next, which sea time counts, and how to reach the credential you want, by phone, email, chat or a 1 on 1 video call. Expert Access members also get $50 off a Stress-Free MMC.
Need to renew, upgrade or get your first USCG license? We're here to help.
About the author
Nate Gilman is President and Co-Founder of MM-SEAS. He hawsepiped from the deck to a 3rd Mate Unlimited license with full STCW compliance over more than 15 years at sea, and is a veteran of the NOAA Commissioned Corps. He works directly with the National Maritime Center, USCG-approved training schools, and vessel operators on credentialing policy, and writes on sea service documentation, evaluation standards, and how mariners move up the license ladder.
