The following bulletin was released December 30 by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Due to staffing shortages at Regional Examination Center (REC) New Orleans, the National Maritime Center (NMC) has implemented the following temporary measures:
- Mariner Examinations: REC New Orleans will continue to provide mariner testing via scheduled examination appointments only. Examination appointments are available Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CT. Examination appointments are not available on Fridays or federal holidays.
- Counter Service: REC New Orleans has temporarily discontinued all counter service including by appointments and is unable to accommodate walk-in visits. Only applicants with scheduled examination appointments will be permitted to enter the REC at this time.
- Application Submission: Effective January 5, 2026, REC New Orleans will no longer accept applications in-person. The NMC anticipates transition to an online application submission portal in January. Until the portal is available, mariners should submit merchant mariner credential applications and medical certificate applications . Only applicants seeking first class pilot routes within the REC New Orleans area of responsibility should mail or e-mail their application to the REC.
We anticipate that the temporary measures at REC New Orleans may last for several months while the NMC seeks to fill current vacancies.
For more information regarding the current status of REC New Orleans or how and where to submit credential applications, visit the NMC website. If you have questions or require assistance, contact the NMC Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, by using Live Chat, , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).