The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing published changes to five Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars concerning qualification for certain Merchant Mariner Credential Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended endorsements.
Oct. 1, 1838: First law in the U.S. to regulate steamboats takes effect
In this post, we mark the anniversary of the Coast Guard’s marine inspection program, which was the result of the Congressional Act of 1838.
“All Aboard! There’s a Place for You in the Maritime Community” student art program contest winners
The contest winners’ works of art will be featured on the Coast Guard, NAMEPA and CIP-OAS websites. The two grand prize winners will receive a certificate, a bilingual (English and Spanish) calendar featuring the art of all 12 winners, a $100 cash prize and a special Coast Guard-themed package. Finalists will receive a certificate and the bilingual calendar.
Updated Subchapter M FAQs now available
The Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise recently published the latest additions and updates to the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Subchapter M, inspected towing vessels. As a convenience for our readers, in this post Maritime Commons is providing a compilation of those changes made as of Sept. 20, 2019.
Revisions to NVICs concerning merchant mariner credential STCW endorsements
The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing announced changes to three NVICs providing guidance on the renewal of STCW endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft, Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited, Basic Training, and Advanced Firefighting for mariners serving on vessels in reduced operating status and on other vessels that that are in operation that do not get underway.
Regional Examination Center St. Louis permanently relocates
Regional Exam Center (REC) St. Louis has been permanently relocated from the 7th Floor to the 8th Floor of the Robert A. Young Federal Building.
Crediting recent sea service of personnel serving on vessels of the Uniformed Services
The Coast Guard proposes to increase from 3 years to 7 years the period within which qualifying 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.
Online mariner credential verification tool temporarily unavailable
While technicians work to resolve the issue, credentials may be verified by contacting the National Maritime Center directly.
Merchant Mariner Medical Manual now available
The guidance in this Manual should assist medical practitioners, the maritime industry, individual mariners, and Coast Guard personnel in evaluating a mariner applicant’s physical and medical status to meet the requirements of the merchant mariner medical certificate. This Manual incorporates and consolidates prior guidance on the medical evaluation of merchant mariners contained in several Coast Guard documents. The Manual includes guidance on the medical certificate and related processes, including procedures for application, issuance, and cancellation of the medical certificate.
