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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Coast Guard awards contract to update credentialing program
17 Sep

Coast Guard awards contract to update credentialing program

Rich MillerLicensing & Training
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a blanket purchase agreement to Stealth Solutions Inc. to modernize the service’s Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) information technology system and support revitalization of the maritime workforce and industry. The MCP is essential to vetting and denying criminals access to critical maritime infrastructure and supporting the Marine Transportation System (MTS). The National Maritime…
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NMC addressing error on recent medical certificates
08 Sep

NMC addressing error on recent medical certificates

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — A system error affected the limitations and restrictions section shown on medical certificates issued between July 25 and Sept. 3, the National Maritime Center (NMC) announced Monday. In some cases, a limitation of “YES” may be listed in error. In other cases, a valid limitation or restriction may be listed as a “NO” on the certificate. All…
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NMC sets dates for merchant mariner exam working group
21 Aug

NMC sets dates for merchant mariner exam working group

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — 46 USC 7510 requires the U.S. Coast Guard to establish a working group to review existing and new examination questions for accuracy and the availability of examination references. Participation in these working groups is an opportunity to assist the National Maritime Center (NMC) and fellow mariners in making long-term improvements to the knowledge examination system. Your expertise…
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National Maritime Center releases new fax numbers
18 Aug

National Maritime Center releases new fax numbers

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) has new fax numbers. On Sept. 1, the old fax numbers will be disconnected, and users will receive a transmission failure or error if attempting to fax to the old numbers. Effective immediately, the following new fax numbers are operational: • 540-317-4551 – Submission of NMC course approvals, designated examiner, and qualified…
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Maritime training school owner pleads guilty to defrauding Coast Guard
14 Aug

Maritime training school owner pleads guilty to defrauding Coast Guard

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(DETROIT) — A St. Clair County, Mich., man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge related to falsifying records connected to a course he administered to students seeking to become credentialed merchant mariners, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. announced. Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Capt. Richard Armstrong, commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit, and Special Agent in Charge…
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Five students receive Robert Allan scholarships for 2025-2026
12 Aug

Five students receive Robert Allan scholarships for 2025-2026

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — The trustees of the Robert Allan Memorial Scholarship Trust and Robert Allan Ltd. have announced the award of five scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Awards have been made to the following outstanding students, chosen from a highly competitive pool of well-qualified candidates: • Alex Badzio-George – Currently in his third year studying mechanical engineering at…
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NMC launches two new self-service tools to assist mariners
27 Jul

NMC launches two new self-service tools to assist mariners

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) has announced the launch of two new self-service tools, available via the NMC website, designed to assist mariners and industry stakeholders with obtaining mariner credential application status and mariner credential verification. • Mariner credential application status: This tool allows users to receive application status updates via email. To use this service, users…
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