The National Maritime Center posted an alert that its Regional Exam Center (REC) in Houston will be closed until further notice. The REC has been affected by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey and will remain closed until public services are restored and it is safe to travel within the Houston area.

Please do not fax or mail applications to REC Houston at this time. Although electronic applications are still being accepted, paper applications should be sent to another REC for processing. Alternate REC mailing information can be found on the National Maritime Center website.

The National Maritime Center will continue to work applications submitted prior to Friday, August 25. If you recently mailed or faxed an application to REC Houston you may contact the National Maritime Center at 1- 888-IASKNMC (888-427-5662) to ensure it has been received.

Further, mariners needing to schedule application and examination appointments during the closure should contact the National Maritime Center by Chat, by calling 1- 888-IASKNMC (888-427-5662), or via e-mail to IASKNMC@uscg.mil.

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.