This Marine Safety Advisory is to ensure that mariners, marine employers, and sponsoring organizations are aware that some products marketed as hemp or cannabidiol (CBD) may contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cause a positive drug test.
10/1/2018: Credentials lost due to Hurricane Florence
In accordance with Federal Regulations, duplicate Merchant Mariner Credentials may be issued free of charge to mariners whose credentials were lost or destroyed as a result of Hurricane Florence or subsequent flooding.
6/25/2018: Nat’l Maritime Center issues instructions regarding STCW Polar Code
The National Maritime Center posted a bulletin to its website with amplifying information regarding Policy Letter 02-18, “Guidelines for Qualifications of Personnel for Issuing STCW Endorsements for Basic and Advanced Polar Code Operations,” which published in the Federal Register June 22, 2108.
6/22/2018: Notice of Policy Implementing the 2016 Amendments to STCW in Support of the Polar Code
This policy provides guidance for the issuance of Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, for Basic and Advanced Polar Code Operations. This policy is effective June 22, 2018, but the Coast Guard requests public comments on it.
6/11/2018: Proposed amendments to marine radar observer refresher training regulations
The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register a proposal to revise its merchant mariner credentialing regulations to remove obsolete portions of the radar observer requirements and harmonize the radar observer endorsement with the merchant mariner credential.
9/9/2017: Credentials lost due to Harvey or Irma
The National Maritime Center issued a bulletin September 7 as a reminder that in accordance with federal regulations, duplicate Merchant Mariner Credentials may be issued free of charge to mariners whose credentials were lost or destroyed as a result of hurricane Harvey or Irma.
7/21/2017: Reminder – national merchant mariner credential extension expires September 30
The Coast Guard granted extensions of national endorsements for any mariner whose Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) expired on or after Dec. 1, 2016. The extension was effective immediately and remains valid until Sept. 30, 2017. Mariners are not authorized to sail on an expired MMC after Sept. 30, 2017. Mariners are encouraged to apply for renewal as soon as possible. Overall processing time for applications remains approximately 60 days. The extension does not apply to STCW endorsements or medical certificates.
4/24/2017: Guidance for credentialing officers of towing vessels
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 03-16 provides Coast Guard guidelines for credentialing officers of towing vessels. Mariners commencing training and assessment toward an officer of towing vessels endorsement should use the TOARs contained in NVIC 03-16. Mariners should plan accordingly to ensure that previous versions of TOARs are completed and application for endorsement is made prior to March 24, 2019.
3/22/2017: Drug testing options for mariner credential applications
All applicants for the original issuance or renewal of a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and applicants seeking certain raises in grade or new endorsements must provide evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or meet the requirements for an exemption from testing.
