b'Let me clarify, what I am talking about is a Coast Guarding with crew on a boat and helping mariners using MM-FOGHORN FOCUS captains license or other Coast Guard credential such asSEAS for their credential, I see firsthand the challenges new able seaman, qualified member of the engine departmentfolks are facing when they apply for a Coast Guard license. (QMED), etc. Its important to note that a Coast GuardKeep reading for some thoughtful and practical ways to get credentialdoesnotverifyactualexperiencebehindtheyour crew to get credentialed. The links throughout this wheel or in the engine roomthat is up to the employerarticle are for helpful resources on the web.to verify during the hiring process or the career develop-ment process. Dont wait to help your mariners get theirThere are several ways that employers can help their em-credentials until after they have proven themselves behindployees get a captains license. Lets look at how to make the helm; by that point it may be too late. They need toeach of these a practical part of your human resource plan:know you see the value in their hard work. It is completely OK for a mariner to hold a license and still need hands-onPaving the way by making the paperwork process easy. training before you put them in command. Identify someone in your office who is always able to provide employees a letter on company letterhead attesting to sea ser-I currently work as a seasonal captain in Northern Mich- vice and drug testing compliance without delay. Consider igan,workingwithgreen(butenthusiastic)deckhands,revising your human resource plan so that sea service letters along with having the opportunity to be the first full-timeare proactively provided to crew members every time they employee of MM-SEAS, a software company that helpscomplete a work contract or season. The current generation mariners with their paperwork to get their first captains li- of workers expect their employers to be thinking about them cense or upgrade or renew their credentials. Between work- in this way; they dont want to have to come ask you for this. FOGHORN 10'