Effective January 1, 2009, MARYLAND MARINE, Inc. will change it's corporate name to HIGMAN BARGE LINES, Inc.  The Maryland Marine name will continue to be reserved as a 'dba' (doing business as) to be used during the transition period.  Both names will be valid as we make the switch. 

 

How does this change effect you?  Other than learning to use the Higman name instead of the Maryland name, all benefits, insurance, 401k, payroll, etc. remain the same.  Nothing day to day changes but the legal name and the headings on our forms and stationary.

 

Boat colors will remain the same.   

 

 

This is part two of our series on USCG CREDENTIAL RENEWAL.

 

How do I renew my USCG WHEELMAN's License?

 

Step 1.....check the date on your current License.  If the expiration date is less than 6 months away, contact the Training and Credentialing Coordinator at the Channelview Office. 

 

Step 2....we need the following information that is not in the MMI Personnel database to complete your CG-719B Application.  Email preferred:

Step 3...Radar Observer Recertification....If the date on your Radar Observer Certificate is near the expiration date, set up an appointment to renew.

 

Step 4...Set up an appointment at Channelview to complete your application:

 Note....no photos are needed for license renewals.

  

Test your knowledge.... email correct answer to Gordie

 

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... A vessel nearing a bend where other vessels may be obscured shall sound __________.

a. one short blast
b. one long blast
c. two short blasts
d. one prolonged blast

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....A vessel that is defined as "restricted in her ability to maneuver" is unable to keep out of the way of another vessel due to __________.

a. her draft
b. the nature of her work
c. some exceptional circumstances
d. a danger of navigation

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.... While underway in fog, you hear a vessel sound four short blasts in succession. What does this signal indicate?

a. A pilot vessel
b. A vessel being towed
c. A vessel fishing
d. A sailboat

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND....You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. You believe that risk of collision exists. You should __________.

a. take avoiding action immediately upon determining that risk of collision exists
b. immediately sound the danger signal
c. take avoiding action only after providing the give-way vessel time to take action, and determining that her action is not appropriate
d. hold course and speed until the point of extremis, and then sound the danger signal, taking whatever action will best avert collision
 

 "CHRISTMAS AT SEA"

The sheets were frozen hard, and they cut the naked hand;
The decks were like a slide, where a seamen scarce could stand;
The wind was a nor'wester, blowing squally off the sea;
And cliffs and spouting breakers were the only things a-lee.

They heard the surf a-roaring before the break of day;
But 'twas only with the peep of light we saw how ill we lay.
We tumbled every hand on deck instanter, with a shout,
And we gave her the maintops'l, and stood by to go about.

All day we tacked and tacked between the South Head and the North;
All day we hauled the frozen sheets, and got no further forth;
All day as cold as charity, in bitter pain and dread,
For very life and nature we tacked from head to head.

We gave the South a wider berth, for there the tide-race roared;
But every tack we made we brought the North Head close aboard:
So's we saw the cliffs and houses, and the breakers running high,
And the coastguard in his garden, with his glass against his eye.

The frost was on the village roofs as white as ocean foam;
The good red fires were burning bright in every 'long-shore home;
The windows sparkled clear, and the chimneys volleyed out;
And I vow we sniffed the victuals as the vessel went about.

The bells upon the church were rung with a mighty jovial cheer;
For it's just that I should tell you how (of all days in the year)
This day of our adversity was blessed Christmas morn,
And the house above the coastguard's was the house where I was born.

O well I saw the pleasant room, the pleasant faces there,
My mother's silver spectacles, my father's silver hair;
And well I saw the firelight, like a flight of homely elves,
Go dancing round the china-plates that stand upon the shelves.

And well I knew the talk they had, the talk that was of me,
Of the shadow on the household and the son that went to sea;
And O the wicked fool I seemed, in every kind of way,
To be here and hauling frozen ropes on blessed Christmas Day.

They lit the high sea-light, and the dark began to fall.
"All hands to loose topgallant sails," I heard the captain call.
"By the Lord, she'll never stand it," our first mate Jackson, cried.
..."It's the one way or the other, Mr. Jackson," he replied.

She staggered to her bearings, but the sails were new and good,
And the ship smelt up to windward just as though she understood.
As the winter's day was ending, in the entry of the night,
We cleared the weary headland, and passed below the light.

And they heaved a mighty breath, every soul on board but me,
As they saw her nose again pointing handsome out to sea;
But all that I could think of, in the darkness and the cold,
Was just that I was leaving home and my folks were growing old.

By Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94).  

 

Merry Christmas,