NMC adopts new calculator policy for credentialing exams
02 Aug

NMC adopts new calculator policy for credentialing exams

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — To standardize calculator usage during U.S. Coast Guard mariner credentialing examinations, the National Maritime Center (NMC) is implementing the following: • Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, all mariners testing at a regional examination center, monitoring unit or federal/state maritime academy will be issued a Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS calculator to use during their examination(s). • All mariners should become…
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Maritime Institute to offer training at Port of Everett
02 Aug

Maritime Institute to offer training at Port of Everett

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(EVERETT, Wash.) — Maritime Institute has signed a 10-year lease to locate its newest mariner training facility at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place. The new satellite at the Port of Everett will be the company’s first in Washington state. It currently hosts main campuses in Norfolk, Va., and San Diego, Calif., plus satellite locations in Alameda, Calif., and Honolulu,…
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Maine colleges, Diamond Offshore Wind partner on training
18 Jul

Maine colleges, Diamond Offshore Wind partner on training

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(PRESQUE ISLE, Maine, CASTINE, Maine, and BUCKSPORT, Maine) — On Tuesday, leaders from the Maine Community College System (MCCS), Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) and Diamond Offshore Wind announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to a partnership that will map out workforce needs of the offshore wind industry in Maine and support the development of offshore wind…
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NMC issues changes to requirements for designated examiner
28 Jun

NMC issues changes to requirements for designated examiner

Rich MillerLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — This bulletin from the National Maritime Center (NMC) provides clarifications for meeting the regulatory requirements for certification as a designated examiner, which will be implemented immediately. The guidance in NVIC 03-16, "Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels," will be updated in the near future. 1. Experience, training or instruction in assessment techniques on towing vessels (46…
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NMC: Credential production issues have been resolved
21 Jun

NMC: Credential production issues have been resolved

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — On April 7, the National Maritime Center (NMC) reported on technical difficulties with its credential production equipment. These equipment issues led to delays in issuing merchant mariner credentials (MMCs). These issues have been resolved, and the NMC has announced that production and issuance times have returned to normal. Mariners who are approved to print can expect their…
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USMMA graduates 212 officers in Class of 2023
20 Jun

USMMA graduates 212 officers in Class of 2023

Rich MillerLicensing & Training,
(KINGS POINT, N.Y.) — The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point conducted its 87th commencement exercises on Saturday, graduating 212 new merchant marine and military officers of the Class of 2023. The keynote speaker, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, emphasized the vital importance of USMMA graduates to the nation's economy and national security. The audience included…
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New leadership addresses truncated night classes at MAMA
06 Jun

New leadership addresses truncated night classes at MAMA

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(NORFOLK, Va.) — A notification was recently distributed by the U.S. Coast Guard alerting mariners that the former Norfolk, Va.-based Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) had delivered “truncated courses” at the school from 2015-2019 for classes offered at night. Daytime class sessions were not included in the advisory. The National Maritime Center has notified mariners who took these night courses that…
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SUNY Maritime receives $1.3 million for offshore wind training
01 Jun

SUNY Maritime receives $1.3 million for offshore wind training

Rich MillerLicensing & Training,
(BRONX, N.Y.) – SUNY Maritime College has received two grants totaling $1.3 million to establish a Global Wind Organization (GWO) certified training center. The first grant of $800,000 was awarded to the college by the U.S. Department of Labor Community Project Funding as a result of advocacy by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. A second award of $500,000 was granted…
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NMC update: Unapproved courses at Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy
30 May

NMC update: Unapproved courses at Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — An investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard has revealed that between January 2015 and December 2019, instruction hours designated for evening courses (courses scheduled to convene at or after 3 p.m.) provided at Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy in Virginia were cut by 50 percent or more. End-of-course exams issued for these courses may also have been compromised. The…
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CADETS Act expands eligibility for student assistance program
24 May

CADETS Act expands eligibility for student assistance program

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(WASHINGTON) — On May 16, the U.S. Senate passed the Changing Age-Determined Eligibility to Student Incentive Payments Act (CADETS Act) by unanimous consent. The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. This bill raises the age requirement for the Student Incentive Payment Program (SIPP), which provides financial support to cadets who attend one of six state maritime academies…
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