Staffing shortages reduce service at REC New Orleans
30 Dec

Staffing shortages reduce service at REC New Orleans

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — 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 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. CT. Examination appointments are…
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Seventeen students receive Crowley memorial scholarships
22 Dec

Seventeen students receive Crowley memorial scholarships

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Seventeen students from seven U.S. and El Salvador maritime academies and universities have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and dedication to their studies related to the maritime industry. The scholarship honors the legacy of Thomas B. Crowley Sr. by…
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NMC announces changes to improve credentialing process
02 Dec

NMC announces changes to improve credentialing process

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) has announced three upcoming enhancements designed to make the maritime credentialing experience faster, clearer and more convenient. New and improved website (January 2026) The redesigned website will put customers first, using plain language and focusing on the NMC's major products and services: merchant mariner credentials (MMCs), medical certificates (MCs), courses, and examinations.…
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NAMEPA hosts industry’s future professionals at SUNY Maritime
11 Nov

NAMEPA hosts industry’s future professionals at SUNY Maritime

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(NEW YORK) — The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is turning words into action when it comes to building the next generation of maritime leaders. Answering the powerful call by the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings that, “If they can’t see it, they can’t dream it,” NAMEPA invited more than 80 middle and high school students from Connecticut…
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Coast Guard solicits potential locations for new training center 
11 Nov

Coast Guard solicits potential locations for new training center 

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, has announced a request for information (RFI) and market research to identify prospective locations for an additional training center. The Coast Guard is conducting market research to identify facilities across the country that can be used to support projected service growth of up to 15,000 personnel.…
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Industry Day draws participants from 90 companies to Kings Point
04 Nov

Industry Day draws participants from 90 companies to Kings Point

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(KINGS POINT, N.Y.) — The U.S. Department of Transportation reported a record turnout at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s Industry Day on Oct. 23, welcoming 180 participants from 90 companies to learn about the academy’s Campus Modernization Plan (CMP) and upcoming federal contracting opportunities. President Trump’s executive order on restoring America's maritime dominance dedicated an entire section to the modernization…
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Maine Maritime, Northwest Maritime partner on Blue Schools Initiative
09 Oct

Maine Maritime, Northwest Maritime partner on Blue Schools Initiative

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. and CASTINE, Maine) —Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) and Northwest Maritime Center have announced a partnership to establish the Blue Schools Initiative in the Greater Portland-Brunswick and Midcoast Maine areas. This initiative aims to increase awareness and create opportunities for students to explore careers in the maritime sector, including vessel operation, marine construction, and marine resources and aquaculture.…
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Colonna’s Shipyard recognizes 2025 apprentice graduates
02 Oct

Colonna’s Shipyard recognizes 2025 apprentice graduates

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(NORFOLK, Va.) — Colonna’s Shipyard recognized four apprentice graduates in September who each completed more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. “These graduate apprentices are the future of not only Colonna’s Shipyard but our industry, and we couldn’t be prouder to see such talented individuals choosing – not just a job, but a…
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New policy extends recent sea service period for applicants
18 Sep

New policy extends recent sea service period for applicants

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(WASHINGTON) — 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 three months of qualifying service in the three years immediately prior to application for…
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New exam guidance for third mate unlimited tonnage endorsements
18 Sep

New exam guidance for third mate unlimited tonnage endorsements

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(WASHINGTON) — The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published CG-MMC Policy Letter 01-25, titled "Professional Examination for Mariners Raising the Grade of Officer Endorsements from Master Less Than 500 or 1,600 Gross Registered Tons to Third Mate of Unlimited Tonnage." This policy removes the examination requirement for mariners who hold a national endorsement as master 500 GRT or master…
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