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The United States Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is extending the period, from 3 years to 7 years, in which sea service aboard vessels of the uniformed services can be used to satisfy the requirement for recent sea service to qualify for a Merchant Mariner Credential with a national officer endorsement.

Individuals serving on vessels of the uniformed services represent a population who may qualify for an MMC. When these individuals spend the final years of their careers assigned to shoreside units, the requirement in 46 CFR 11.201(c)(2) to have at least 3 months of qualifying sea service within 3 years of application for an officer endorsement poses an obstacle to meeting the requirement for recent sea service. This rule will update the recent sea service requirements for a person to qualify for a national officer endorsement based on sea service aboard vessels of the uniformed services.

For full details, view the Federal Register notice identified by docket number USCG-2017-1025 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov.

For information about this notice call or email Cathleen Mauro, Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC-1), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1449, email Cathleen.B.Mauro@uscg.mil.

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