The following is the text of a letter from Capt. Jeffrey P. Novotny, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center:
In response to changing procedures associated with the publication of the Final Rule, titled “Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW), as Amended, and Changes to National Endorsements,” as of January 2, 2014, the Coast Guard is issuing separate medical certificates to certify mariner compliance with minimum medical standards. For more information, click here. For questions or if you are unable to access the link above, contact the National Maritime Center at IASKNMC@uscg.mil or 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).