The Coast Guard National Maritime Center posted a bulletin outlining actions to be taken for U.S. mariners holding national and STCW endorsements in light of a greater-than-average volume of applications for Merchant Mariner Credentials.

The below provides a brief overview, but mariners should view the entire bulletin for full details of their specific case.

National Endorsements: The U.S. Coast Guard is exercising its authority under Title 46, United States Code, Section 7507, and is granting an extension of national endorsements for any mariner whose MMC expires on or after December 1, 2016. This extension is effective immediately and will be valid until Sept. 30, 2017.

STCW Endorsements: The NMC is focusing on evaluating applications with International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements. In accordance with Regulation I/2 of STCW, we are unable to extend the validity of these endorsements.

Mariner Medical Certificates: Mariners must continue to maintain a valid mariner medical certificate.

For additional details, please view the entire bulletin.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.