The following press release was issued by the U.S. Coast Guard on May 26.
The National Maritime Center (NMC) is expanding the existing extension policy outlined in Update #3: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions, dated April 22, 2026, for merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) and medical certificates impacted by the 2026 lapse in appropriations and continued processing delays.
Effective immediately, MMCs (National endorsements only) and medical certificates (National and Pilot expiration dates only) that expire between January 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, will remain valid through August 31, 2026. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential AND a copy of the attached letter while sailing under the authority of those credentials. The NMC will not issue separate or replacement MMCs or medical certificates reflecting the extension.
This extension is intended to support continued maritime operations while the NMC works through increased application volumes and processing backlogs following the lapse.
Key Information:
* Applications will continue to be processed on a first-in, first-out basis.
* Mariners are strongly encouraged to apply early via the ASAP Tool due to ongoing processing delays. Paper submission, because of manual handling, may delay issuance of mariner credentials and medical certifications.
* All other extension policies and measures outlined in Update #3: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions, dated April 22, 2026, remain in effect unless otherwise superseded or rescinded. Mariners should refer to that bulletin for full details.
Mariners are encouraged to monitor the NMC website for updates regarding processing times, REC operations, and policy adjustments as operations stabilize.
For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Drayer
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections
STAR Center’s TECH Program has been a major contributor in helping American Maritime Officers fill the need for marine engineers in the industry. A great example is the recent engine room on the heavy lift vessel SLNC York, where many of the billets were filled by TECH graduates. AMO members aboard the York in May included First Assistant Engineer Orion Milazzo (TECH 110 graduating class), Second A.E. Henry Crummack (TECH 110), current TECH Apprentice Sokoya McDuffie (TECH 117), Third A.E. Alex Alfonso (TECH 112) and Second A.E. Sam Franke (TECH 107). The SLNC York is operated by Argent Marine Operations Inc. and is manned in all licensed position by AMO.
Members of American Maritime Officers and staff, along with instructors and staff at STAR Center celebrated National Maritime Day on campus in Dania Beach.
Keynote speaker Dania Beach Mayor Joyce L. Davis read a local proclamation honoring AMO and STAR Center to commemorate seafarers’ contributions to the community.
In Washington D.C., AMO National President Willie Barrere greeted U.S. Maritime Administrator Steve Carmel during the National Maritime Day celebration hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Crew members of the AMO-led Crowley Corporation tanker Stena Immaculate were honored with the Gallant Ship Unit Citation by U.S. Department of Transportation at the ceremony. The Gallant Ship Unit award is a prestigious distinction given to the officers and crew of a merchant vessel for outstanding heroism, gallantry, and seamanship in times of crisis. Accepting the award was Chief Engineer Dimiter Mitev, Second Mate Peter Skerys, Chief Mate Thor Pearson and SIU Bosun Ion Sterie.
Speakers at the DOT National Maritime Day event included Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Gen. Randall Reed, USAF, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command.
AMO members and elected officials were guests of honor at National Maritime Day ceremonies in Norfolk, Virginia hosted by the International Propeller Club on May 21. Members who attended the event included National Secretary Treasurer Bob Rice, National Executive Vice President Danny Robichaux, Contract Analyst Chris Holmes, and AMO members Marissa Strawbridge, Max Neubelt, Keith Bradley, Thomas Knizewski and James Arno.
Maritime Administrator Steve Carmel participated in the ceremonial wreath laying in the Chesapeake Bay, honoring the many sacrifices by U.S. seafarers past and present have made for the nation.
Members of American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV) and U.S. Merchant Marine veterans from World War II attended Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington D.C. on Monday.
The United States government honored the men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving aboard U.S. merchant ships during times of military conflict at several National Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington D.C. on Monday.
Members of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV) and U.S. Merchant Marine veterans from World War II were in attendance and recognized at Arlington National Cemetery and later participated in the National Memorial Day Parade. They also participated in a ceremonial a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony was attended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Family members of the late Sheldon C. Meade, a World War II Merchant Marine veteran, laid a wreath to represent the U.S. Merchant Marine. Ordinary Seaman Meade was killed when about 100 German bombers surprised dozens of merchant ships anchored in the harbor at Bari, Italy on December 2, 1943. Most of the Allies’ ships in the harbor were damaged or destroyed, including the Liberty ship, the SS John Harvey. The Liberty ship was carrying 2,000 mustard gas bombs that were ordered by a British general to retaliate against the enemy if chemical munitions were used during WWII. When the John Harvey was bombed, it exploded and released mustard gas that killed thousands of military personnel, merchant sailors, and civilians.
Members of Seafarers International Union presented the U.S. Merchant Marine flag and escorted AMMV members during the solemn event.
“On Memorial Day, Americans should salute fallen U.S. Merchant Mariners, including more than 9,500 Merchant Marine officers and crew members killed in action or missing at sea during World War II, who served in war zones under the command of U.S. military sealift operations,” said AMMV president and active U.S. Merchant Marine Capt. Darin Huggins.
“Laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day and participating in the National Memorial Day Parade are fitting tributes for our nation to honor thousands of U.S. Merchant Mariners who gave their lives during military conflicts.”
A memorial wreath honoring fallen U.S. Merchant Marines was placed before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of Memorial Day ceremonies.
SIU Color Guard members display the U.S. Merchant Marine flag during a Memorial Day ceremony in Washington.
The U.S. Marine Management Inc. (USMMI) tanker Everglades Trader recently successfully completed an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command’s USNS Yukon near South Korea, which resulted in the Everglades Trader receiving its CONSOL Station Certification. American Maritime Officers represents all the licensed officers on the tanker.
AMO members aboard the Everglades Trader in April, here at a South Korean Navy base in Chin Hae, included Chief Mate Ryan Wood, Third Mate Damon Zschoche, Third Mate Andy Zippay, Third Mate Royce Stonebraker, Second Mate Nick Sobkow and Captain Tom Pearse-Drance.
Second Mate Nick Sobkow monitors CONSOL operations during replenishment with the USNS Yukon.
The following proclamation was released by the White House on May 22.
For over two and a half centuries, the dedicated members of the United States Merchant Marine have powered our economy, secured our commerce, and defended American interests at home and abroad. Today, we honor the brave Mariners who have borne our Nation’s strength across the seas, and we recommit to restoring and expanding America’s maritime dominance.
The Merchant Marine has played an indispensable role in defending and advancing American interests since the earliest days of our Republic. During the Revolutionary War, Merchant Mariners defied enemy blockades, captured British vessels, and delivered critical supplies that fueled the Continental Army’s righteous pursuit of liberty. Their unwavering courage and selfless sacrifices helped secure the Independence of our young Republic, and they never wavered in standing firm for our Nation in the centuries since. In World War II, the Merchant Marine played a decisive role in transporting troops, fuel, and vital war material across perilous waters. Facing relentless enemy attacks and massive casualties, these patriots triumphantly persevered and helped ensure victory in our fight against tyranny. Whenever our Nation has been called to action – whether in war or in peace – the United States Merchant Marine has answered with unmatched resolve, carrying the strength and prosperity of America across every ocean in the world.
Today, that mission is more vital than ever before. Merchant Mariners move the goods that stock our shelves, fuel our industries, and supply our Armed Forces around the globe. Their work strengthens our economy and supports our national security, which is why my Administration is proudly restoring America’s maritime strength. Last year, I signed an Executive Order to expand our shipbuilding capacity, strengthen our maritime workforce, protect our industrial base, and ensure America’s shipping capabilities can support both military operations and economic independence. As a result of these decisive actions, our Nation is securing unprecedented investments in port and maritime infrastructure, boosting American industry, driving economic growth, and protecting our national security.
Today, we pay tribute to the men and women of the United States Merchant Marine, whose steadfast service has sustained our Nation through its greatest trials and carried our prosperity to new heights. As we celebrate 250 glorious years of American Independence, we renew our commitment to strengthening our maritime power and ensuring that America is the most dominant force upon the oceans for generations to come.
The Ready Reserve Force ship SS Cape Island served in Cobra Gold 2026, delivering military equipment and cargo for onward transportation to exercise sites throughout Thailand. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers onboard the ship, which is operated by Ocean Duchess, Inc.
AMO members sailing onboard the Cape Island for Cobra Gold 2026 included Third Mate Josh Smith, Third Mate Caleb Munoz, Cargo Mate Nadir Bousseloub, Captain Gary Vargas, Chief Mate Keith Amberg and Second Mate Ben Rush.
The Cape Island arrived in Thailand in February to offload equipment in support of Cobra Gold. Thailand marked the vessel’s first point of discharge, with offloads conducted at the ports in Thung Prong and Chuk Samet, as reported by Grady Fontana, Military Sealift Command Far East. Cobra Gold 2026 is a joint, multinational military exercise held annually in Thailand and co-sponsored by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
“This ship is ideal for this kind of mission,” said AMO Captain Gary Vargas, master on the Cape Island. “The combination of the stern ramp and vessel’s crane allows us to discharge cargo quickly. A fully loaded vessel can be discharged in 24 to 36 hours.”
AMO members sailing onboard the Cape Island for Cobra Gold 2026 included Second Assistant Engineer Tom Meaney, Third A.E. Christian Pushard, Chief Engineer Chris Baril, and First A.E. Chris Davis. With them here is Cadet Patrick Novotny.
Cape Island is a 685-foot roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel capable of carrying significant amounts of containerized and RO/RO cargo. When not serving in an activation, such as Cobra Gold, the ship is maintained in reduced operating status (ROS), a specialized crewing and maintenance posture for MSC and Maritime Administration (MARAD) vessels assigned to the U.S. Ready Reserve Force (RRF).
Ships in ROS are kept in a high state of readiness, allowing for rapid activation, while reducing operational costs during periods of inactivity.
Cape Island is part of the RRF, a subset of the MARAD’s National Defense Reserve Fleet, which provides nearly 50 percent of the U.S. government-owned surge sealift capability to support the rapid global deployment of U.S. military forces.
An M1126 Stryker is discharged from Military Sealift Command (MSC) chartered Cape Island (T-AKR 10) at the port of Chuk Samet, Sattahip, Thailand, February 19, during an offload of equipment to be used in Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 2026. (Navy photo by Grady T. Fontana)
To support the offload operations, MSC deployed a reserve component team from expeditionary port units (EPU) across the United States, Fontana reported.
“As an expeditionary port unit, we serve as the liaison between the ship and MSC headquarters,” said Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Morris, operations officer, Navy Reserve EPU Little Rock, assigned to MSC Far East. “If there are any issues with the offload or the ship, we help address them. This training opportunity also allows us to become more familiar with port operations and engage key stakeholders.”
Expeditionary port units are highly mobile Navy Reserve units capable of deploying worldwide to establish port operations in locations without existing MSC or U.S. Navy infrastructure.
After the exercise, the vessel also made a port calls in Okinawa and Hawaii to offload cargo and to load approximately 140 pieces of “lift of opportunity” cargo. This cargo was loaded, in part, with the vessel’s crane and forklift with assistance from the ship’s crew, Fontana reported.
“There were several challenges for the vessel and crew during the course of the mission,” said Cape Island Chief Officer Keith Amberg. “We worked together to meet them. We were complimented by several different people on the condition of the vessel and the attitude of the crew.”
Cobra Gold is the largest of its kind in mainland Asia and stands as a concrete example of the robust strategic relationship between Thailand, the U.S., and the many other allied and partner nations involved. Cobra Gold 26 demonstrates a shared commitment to building interoperability and advancing common interests throughout the region, Fontana reported.
The following is excerpted from an article released by the Lake Carriers’ Association.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – The numbers are in and U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes lost a total of 1,953 hours or 82 ship days due to inadequate icebreaking. To put 82 days in perspective, it is about a third of the shipping season on the Great Lakes, as the Soo Locks close on January 15.
It took 96 hours after the Soo locks opened for the year for the first vessel loaded with iron ore to finally clear the St. Marys River – the critical connection point between Lake Superior and the lower lakes. At one point, 19 vessels were stopped for multiple days in the ice, waiting for icebreakers to clear the way to either get their loads or deliver them.
The ice season dragged on well into April, stretching Coast Guard icebreaking crews and their worn-out ships. The only U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker on the Lakes is the CGC MACKINAW and she was limited to operating below the Soo Locks due to an engineering casualty. Where the MACKINAW was really needed was in the heavy snow-covered ice in Whitefish Bay at the southeast end of Lake Superior. Unfortunately, with only one partially operational heavy icebreaker, traffic came to a standstill for most of March, with significant delays experienced well into April.
On several occasions during the ice season, federal icebreakers suffered significant engineering problems, which left them sidelined during the height of the need. The 140-foot Coast Guard icebreaking tugs, which are over 45-years-old, continue to break down on a regular basis.
Things were bad this year for winter shipping, which started in early December, but it could have been much, much worse. Warmer temperatures on the southern lakes in March melted the significant ice pack on Lake Erie and the Detroit-St. Clair River systems, which allowed the Coast Guard to concentrate their limited operational assets in the north.
“This is a national problem that requires America’s attention,” said Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association. “Our companies’ ability to move the building blocks of North American manufacturing, which drives our economy and growth, extend well beyond the Great Lakes Region. The nation needs another U.S. Coast Guard heavy Great Lakes icebreaker.”
AMO member Chief Mate Doug Voss and Seafarers International Union members AB Julio Perez and AB Medhi Youssef conduct lifeboat drills on the Perla Del Caribe in San Juan, Puerto Rico – here standing on the launch boat after a successful lifeboat release. The Perla Del Caribe is operated by TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.
AMO members working aboard the SS Badger in May included Junior Engineer Tyler Cornwall, Oiler Nate Poort, Junior Engineer Scott Rogers, Chief Engineer Andrew VerVelde, Chief Engineer Robert Watrous, First Assistant Engineer Gary Hanson, Second A.E. Joel Dumond and Oiler Tyler Walton. Members who sail on the vessel voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract for the Badger, operated by Lake Michigan Carferry.