The National Maritime Center posted a bulletin to alert mariners that due to a continued backlog of credential applications and increased net processing time of both mariner credential applications and medical certificate applications caused by the lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center operations, the following updated actions are being taken:

• Merchant mariner credentials (MMC) and medical certificates (national endorsements only) that expire in December 2018, January 2019, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, June 2019, or July 2019 are extended as valid until August 31, 2019. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential with a copy of the attached letter.

• This extension does not change the time frame during which a credential may be renewed. A credential may be renewed at any time during its validity and for 1 year after expiration based on the expiration date printed on the credential.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

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.