We’re from the government and we’re here to help

It’s an old joke and it was running through my mind as I began the process to change the registration for the EPIRB that is on OceanFlyer. As background, every EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) must be registered to a specific vessel and owner. It makes sense, if the unit deploys and signals for help, you want the recuse teams looking for the right vessel.

The registration process in the U.S. is managed by the Department of Commerce and more specifically, N.O.A.A. For a new unit, you can do it online. But for an EPIRB that is already registered you have to contact N.O.A.A. When I called the number listed on their website, I was greeted on the phone by a real person, not a recording with 27 options to choose from. The young man on the other end was great. He confirmed my information and the current registration of the unit. He said he needed to contact the current registered owner and have him release the unit and then he would call be back and we could then complete the new registration. I was skeptical.

But the next day, I got the call. The previous registration was released and I could go online and complete my registration. It was an easy 5-minute process and two days later, I had the new registration sticker in my hands. No hassle, no cost. So hats off to the team in Suitland Maryland who manage this program. They are a model of efficiency, courtesy and professionalism. Now, if only the same could be said of all our public servants.