B/T Identity certificate

This thread led me to dig out some of my fathers stuff, amongst which is his green card, fold out, Seamans Identity card. This must have been perhaps his second one as his photo on it is when he must have been in his late thirties. At first I thought it was a wartime issue only as it has a section for Ration Books issued but from reading this post I realise that this is the previous version of the Red Seamans I.D. book that I was issued with when I went to sea in 67 and which was meant to act as a passport. I cannot remember me ever using it as a passport, I do know Dutch Immigration would accept your discharge book as a passport but not the Red I.D. book. I cannot remember what I did with mine, its probably in some dark corner in my loft. I do know I stopped carrying it once I got the C1/D1 visa for the U.S.A. and the Aus visa stamped in my Passport.
There is now a new regulation coming in (or maybe it has already) that all seamen carry a new Seamans Identity document that follows a standard format set out by the IMO. I have not seen one yet but believe that is something along the lines of the biometric? passports that are now issued following 9/11
Apparently these new I.D. books are being brought in as a counterfoil to I.D. theft and Certificate fraud amongst seafarers.
Rgds
Capt. John Arton (ret'd)

The only markings I seem to have on my Red Seaman's book are a few Russian stamps. Other than that I don't remember it being used for anything. In fact its nearly in as good a condition as when it was issued. However I do remember being asked for my Discharge book quite often when we were flying around to and from ships. It seemed to be held in more esteem than a passport in some places or maybe they just wanted proof of purpose for visit.

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Originally Posted by Tony Morcom (admin)

The only markings I seem to have on my Red Seaman's book are a few Russian stamps. Other than that I don't remember it being used for anything. In fact its nearly in as good a condition as when it was issued. However I do remember being asked for my Discharge book quite often when we were flying around to and from ships. It seemed to be held in more esteem than a passport in some places or maybe they just wanted proof of purpose for visit.

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Just some of my observations on the red British Seaman’s Card.



My first British Seaman’s Card (Red)was issued , along with my Dis.A. Book, at Cornhill,Liverpool M.M.O. on 19/2/70. My Number was 232849A,and even though I no longer have it(I think it had to be surrendered when a replacement was issued),it’s number was recorded in the relevant space) in my first (old style) Discharge Book.
　
I was aware that the B.S.C. could be used as a travel document,but never used it as such,nor did I ever hear of anyone ever using it as such for international travel. Everyone had a passport.
In any case surely Passports became increasingly mandatoryas the years have progressed by all countries that seafarers visited on their ships?

My second red B.S.C. (pictured) was numbered 001633C and was an entirely new number from my first one.
I can’t remember why I had to have this replacement,because I have never used the B.S.C. at sea anyway ,but it was issued by R.G.S.S.,Cardiff in August 1988.
In view of it being issued by R.G.S.S. I would suggest it was a postal application,enclosing my old one for surrender?
Was this replacement a general MN-wide requirement ,perhaps when the RGSS were ‘taking’ over’ the issue of seamen’s documents from the previous M.M.O’s?
Maybe someone else at sea in the late 80’s can remember having to renew their red B.S.C.
　

Told once we left the sea to return the red seamans card to the tax office, no one ever told me why. Does anyone know?