The Coast Guard amended regulations to qualify for national officer and rating endorsements in a final rule titled Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, and Changes to National Endorsements. In this post, the National Maritime Center provides information regarding how it will process applications for National Officer/Rating Endorsements that expire March 24, 2019.
1/24/2019: Commercial vessel safety during lapse in appropriations
With passage of a continuing resolution, Marine Safety Information Bulletin 01-19 is cancelled effective Feb. 1, 2019.
8/10/2018: Guidance on qualification and renewal of STCW endorsements for Officer in Charge of a Nav Watch and Master
The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing released two Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Aug. 6, 2018 related to watch keeping aboard vessels less than 500 gross tons.
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.
12/26/2017: Update to Qualified Assessor requirements
The Coast Guard is aware that as a result of the limited number of approved Qualified Assessors, there may be a hardship on mariners trying to complete STCW assessments after December 31, 2017. In consideration of this, the Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 02-14 until December 31, 2019. These assessments must be submitted to the Coast Guard as part of a complete application no later than June 30, 2020.