The Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published Policy Letter 15-03 describing the policy for evaluating and crediting recent sea service for applicants who have qualifying service on uniformed service vessels.

“This is a step in the right direction to start crediting sea time accrued while on active duty for the purpose of qualifying for commercial merchant mariner credentials,” said Capt. Kyle McAvoy, chief of the Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance.

Uniformed services are defined as the armed forces and commissioned officer corps of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as the Public Health Service. This policy letter enables qualifying service to be earned on vessels of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, NOAA and PHS.

Service onboard uniformed service vessels may be earned regardless of status on the vessel (active duty, military or a civilian mariner).

View Policy Letter 15-03 for full details.

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