Back when I documented Strider, I reported on the Internet that the USCG office that handles the process was the most efficient and customer friendly contact I had ever had with government agency. That includes from town hall all the way up to the highest levels of the USCG inspections branch which dealt with for decades professionally.
I had my document in hand a week after I began the process. A question about attaching the numbers was answered by email within 24 hours. A later email question about whether volunteer water sampling and analysis would compromise my recreational endorsement brought back a four page, formal, opinion printed on their letterhead that I could carry on the vessel in case a boarding USCG officer had a different idea. This is the way government should work.
I joked at the time that someone in government oversight might find out about the “problem” and see that it was “corrected” so that the documentation process became as arbitrarily obstructionist and difficult as we expect. I’m pleased to report that hasn’t happened.
After a very nice visit with my father and son in the town where I grew up, I headed back towards the coast via Falling Waters, West Virginia where the NVDC is located due to Senator Byrd’s skill at carving pork. This is only a few minutes from Jimm’s house so I accepted an invitation to stay overnight. Thanks to both of them for two great meals, wonderful conversation, and excellent accommodations.
Jim and I drove down to the center in the morning and I had the 2013 document in my hands a few minutes later. This saves me having to commit to being in a particular place at a particular time in December in order to collect it. With $500 a day fines for operating the vessel without it on board, it’s important.
Jim had questions about the process which he is about to begin. Everything was handled with the kind of cheerful and helpful attitude you usually only encounter in fine hotels. Government can work.
I’m now back on the boat for a day of laundry and re-provisioning. The long car trip was interesting. I have had thoughts over the last year about swallowing the anchor and becoming an RV cruiser in order to see mountains and the west. Even after driving scenic back roads in perfect weather in a fun little rental car, I realize that I’m not ready to give up cruising. All that sitting just isn’t healthy. I am constantly on the move in the boat and, as a result, am more limber and agile now than I was three years ago. That’s an important thing to be able to say at my age. Part of me would rather be seeing the Rocky Mountains than the coastal marshes again at this point but I’m thoroughly content with my present lifestyle.
I had my document in hand a week after I began the process. A question about attaching the numbers was answered by email within 24 hours. A later email question about whether volunteer water sampling and analysis would compromise my recreational endorsement brought back a four page, formal, opinion printed on their letterhead that I could carry on the vessel in case a boarding USCG officer had a different idea. This is the way government should work.
I joked at the time that someone in government oversight might find out about the “problem” and see that it was “corrected” so that the documentation process became as arbitrarily obstructionist and difficult as we expect. I’m pleased to report that hasn’t happened.
After a very nice visit with my father and son in the town where I grew up, I headed back towards the coast via Falling Waters, West Virginia where the NVDC is located due to Senator Byrd’s skill at carving pork. This is only a few minutes from Jimm’s house so I accepted an invitation to stay overnight. Thanks to both of them for two great meals, wonderful conversation, and excellent accommodations.
Jim and I drove down to the center in the morning and I had the 2013 document in my hands a few minutes later. This saves me having to commit to being in a particular place at a particular time in December in order to collect it. With $500 a day fines for operating the vessel without it on board, it’s important.
Jim had questions about the process which he is about to begin. Everything was handled with the kind of cheerful and helpful attitude you usually only encounter in fine hotels. Government can work.
I’m now back on the boat for a day of laundry and re-provisioning. The long car trip was interesting. I have had thoughts over the last year about swallowing the anchor and becoming an RV cruiser in order to see mountains and the west. Even after driving scenic back roads in perfect weather in a fun little rental car, I realize that I’m not ready to give up cruising. All that sitting just isn’t healthy. I am constantly on the move in the boat and, as a result, am more limber and agile now than I was three years ago. That’s an important thing to be able to say at my age. Part of me would rather be seeing the Rocky Mountains than the coastal marshes again at this point but I’m thoroughly content with my present lifestyle.
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) and even work days at the slip make me feel a LOT better. With my son's help, we've gotten those "once-every-twenty-year" jobs out of the way, too.