Implementation of TWIC reader requirements delayed again
06 Nov

Implementation of TWIC reader requirements delayed again

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard is further delaying the effective date for certain facilities affected by the final rule titled “Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) – Reader Requirements,” published in the Federal Register on Aug. 23, 2016. On March 9, 2020, the Coast Guard published a rule delaying the implementation date to May 8, 2023. In December 2022, Congress…
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Maritime Institute announces acquisition of Compass Courses
05 Nov

Maritime Institute announces acquisition of Compass Courses

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(SAN DIEGO) — Training Resources Ltd., DBA Maritime Institute, announced on Monday that it will be acquiring Edmonds, Wash.-based Set Your Compass Course LLC, DBA Compass Courses, and starting training programs in Edmonds in December. “Compass Courses has an outstanding reputation as a training provider that really cares about their mariners,” said Dave Abrams, CEO of Maritime Institute. “Adding Compass…
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Coast Guard Foundation awards 207 scholarships for 2024
29 Oct

Coast Guard Foundation awards 207 scholarships for 2024

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(STONINGTON, Conn.) — The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, has awarded 207 new scholarships in 2024, totaling $750,000 in support for the 2024-2025 academic year. Since the program’s inception in 1990, the foundation has awarded $8.3 million for more than 2,400 scholarships, ensuring Coast Guard…
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Eastern Shipbuilding helping students create artificial reefs
24 Oct

Eastern Shipbuilding helping students create artificial reefs

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has launched its second annual Coastline Initiative, a unique competition that encourages students from area schools to design innovative artificial reefs that support coastline restoration. In partnership with the Bay County Artificial Reef Association (BCARA) and the University of Florida IFAS Extension, this initiative not only focuses on environmental preservation, but also…
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Incomplete MMC applications to be rejected during initial screening
23 Oct

Incomplete MMC applications to be rejected during initial screening

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) will begin rejecting incomplete merchant mariner credential (MMC) application submissions during initial screening beginning Dec. 1. MMC application submissions that are incomplete due to missing the following required items will be rejected: • A complete CG-719B on the current version of the form. • Evidence the applicant holds or has applied for…
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Temporary changes enacted for STCW deck rating endorsements
17 Oct

Temporary changes enacted for STCW deck rating endorsements

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — On Oct. 8, the Coast Guard Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC) published CG-MMC Policy Letter 04-24, "Temporary Changes in Service Requirements for STCW Deck Rating Endorsements." This policy letter addresses the impact of the temporary reduction in sea service requirements for able seamen (ABs) enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, on…
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SOCP offers training course for sex assault/sex harassment contacts
10 Oct

SOCP offers training course for sex assault/sex harassment contacts

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(WOODINVILLE, Wash.) — The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP), in cooperation with National Organization for Victim Advocacy, has announced the release of a maritime-based course for industry SASH (sexual assault/sexual harassment) contacts. The SOCP’s Achieving a Respectful Onboard Culture (AROC) technical team developed the course under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) to support the Every Mariner…
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Replacing credentials lost or destroyed due to Hurricane Helene
03 Oct

Replacing credentials lost or destroyed due to Hurricane Helene

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — In accordance with federal regulations, duplicate merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) may be issued free of charge to mariners whose credentials were lost or destroyed because of Hurricane Helene. Affected mariners should follow the steps below to obtain an expedited replacement credential. Provide a statement of loss to the National Maritime Center (NMC) via fax at (304) 433-3412…
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Coast Guard cites unapproved courses at Gulf Coast Maritime Academy
27 Sep

Coast Guard cites unapproved courses at Gulf Coast Maritime Academy

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — An investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard has revealed that between January 2018 and November 2023, Gulf Coast Maritime Academy (GCMA), located near Tampa, Fla., failed to provide proper instruction in all Basic Firefighting, Basic Firefighting Refresher, Basic Firefighting Revalidation, and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Basic Training courses. These courses require live firefighting, which…
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NMC extends hours for Customer Service Center
25 Sep

NMC extends hours for Customer Service Center

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Contacting the National Maritime Center (NMC) Customer Service Center (CSC) can sometimes be challenging, especially during peak hours. To better assist mariners, effective Sept. 30, the CSC will be extending its hours of operation. New hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The NMC phone number is 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662). The CSC…
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