New Coast Guard policy for Merchant Mariner Documents

U.S. Coast Guard implements new policy for issuance of Merchant Mariner Documents

      The following letter was written by U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral K.J. Eldridge, director of the Merchant Mariner Document Task Force. If they are unable to obtain one from their ship operator, American Maritime Officers members who will be sailing aboard Military Sealift Command vessels in support of U.S. military operations can obtain a letter for Priority One status from AMO by calling (800) 362-0513, or e-mail the AMO deep-sea vice president.
      In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Coast Guard has looked for new ways to improve port, waterway and maritime security. The Marine Safety program recognized early on that there were problems inherent in the mariner credentialing system that could result in licensing fraud, exploitation by persons ineligible to hold credentials and increased risk of marine safety incidents if unqualified persons obtained a Merchant Mariner Document (MMD). Additionally, the potential for exploitation of these credentials by criminal or terrorist organizations is real and poses a threat to national security.
      In response to these concerns, the Coast Guard developed a new, more secure and tamper resistant MMD card and made the timely identification of individuals that may pose a security or marine safety threat a top priority. To identify potential safety and security concerns, we have worked within our long-standing statutory authority to implement enhanced screening procedures for current document holders and those mariners seeking an original MMD. Application procedures are essentially the same for the mariner, with the notable exception that renewals can no longer be completed entirely through the mail. Applicants must now appear in person at a Coast Guard Regional Exam Center (REC) sometime during the renewal process to prove their identity and provide fingerprints. These new screening procedures have added approximately 48 hours to the processing time, but we are working hard to minimize the inconvenience this causes to the mariner and industry. We realize an efficient credentialing system is vital to the smooth flow of commerce and thus we are adding staff to some of our busiest RECs to help reduce the backlog of applications. Additionally, we have instituted the following priority system to ensure those mariners vital to our nation's military efforts and industry are processed as quickly as possible:

Priority one is assigned to mariners who are, or are about to be, employed on a vessel directly involved with a military operation. A letter from the shipping company, labor union, ship management company, or government agency attesting to the ship's military purpose and the mariner's position is needed for this priority.
Priority two is given to mariners who are actively sailing. Evidence of current or scheduled employment on board a vessel, such as a letter or recent certificate of discharge is needed for this priority.
Priority three is for all other transactions based on the date of receipt.

We will work closely with the maritime industry and individual mariners to implement these changes as smoothly as possible, and we encourage mariners to renew their documents well in advance to minimize the potential impact any processing delay may have. These changes, while perhaps an inconvenience in the short term, will ultimately make the mariner credentialing process more efficient, with greater consistency in the evaluation of applicants and greater confidence in the final determinations. We will keep you informed of our progress and ask that you share the information with your members.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take these steps to improve the mariner credentialing system and our nation's security. Your support and cooperation will ease the transition and ultimately make our maritime transportation system safer. Please contact the National Maritime Center staff at the below listed address if you have any additional questions.

Commanding Officer
USCG National Maritime Center (MMD Team)
4200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 630
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
(202) 493-6798

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