The Coast Guard has published two new policy letters concerning merchant mariner credentialing.
CG-MMC Policy Letter 01-25, Professional Examination for Mariners Raising the Grade of Officer Endorsements from Master Less Than 500 or 1,600 Gross Registered Tons to Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage, removes the examination requirement for mariners who hold a national endorsement as Master 500 GRT or Master 1600 GRT who are applying for an endorsement as Third Mate unlimited tonnage on the same route.
CG-MMC Policy Letter 02-25, Crediting Recent Service of Applicants for National Officer Endorsements, revises the period for required recent sea service for an officer endorsement to a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). Under current regulation [46 CFR 11.201(c)(1)], a mariner who has not worked on vessels of the uniformed services must have at least three months of qualifying service in the three years immediately prior to application for a raise of grade of their credentials. This policy increases that recency period to seven years.
These policy letters are available on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentialing policy website.
Mariners and other interested parties should contact the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division at MMCPolicy@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2357 with any questions or feedback.
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