The following notice was posted by the U.S. Coast Guard on September 18.
The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published CG-MMC Policy Letter 02-25 titled Crediting Recent Service of Applicants for National Officer Endorsements.
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 3 months of qualifying service in the 3 years immediately prior to application for a raise of grade of their credentials. This policy increases that recency period to 7 years. This will allow mariners who had taken a short sabbatical from the maritime industry to re-enter the industry and use previously obtained sea service to raise the grade of their credentials without having to re-acquire recent sea service.
This policy letter is available on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentialing policy website.
Mariners and other interested parties should contact the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division at or (202) 372-2357 with any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Cathleen Mauro Acting Chief,
Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing