Coast Guard updates credential extensions due to COVID-19

Marine safety information bulletin from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(WASHINGTON) — This update to MSIB 08-20 provides guidance concerning mariner credentials, medical certificates and course approvals, and the action being taken by the Coast Guard due to the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19). We are doing this in keeping with national guidance to meet the challenge of this disease and in response to a number of questions and concerns raised by the maritime industry and mariners. The provisions in this MSIB are consistent with the Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery issued on May 19.

The Coast Guard has also been consulting with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other administrations to ensure alignment with respect to the extension of endorsements issued in accordance with the Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW). We are taking a pragmatic approach consistent with the IMO Secretary General’s circular Letter No.4204/Add.5 dated March 17.

Please be aware the following measures may cause a backlog in the processing of credentials and course approvals, especially near the end of the extension dates. Mariners and training providers are strongly encouraged to fulfill the requirements and submit applications as early as possible in order to avoid a lapse in their credential or training approval. Similarly, training providers need to make every effort to submit their application early to avoid expiration of their current approval.

To mitigate the impact to the seafarers and the industry caused by the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19, the Coast Guard is taking the following actions:

National endorsements

• Merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) (national endorsements only) that expire between March 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020 are extended until March 31, 2021. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the extension criteria must carry the expired credential with a copy of this notice.

• Medical certificates (national endorsements only) that expire between March 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020 are extended until Dec. 31, 2020. Mariners who are actively working on expired medical certificates that meet the extension criteria must carry the expired credential with a copy of this notice. This measure relaxes the requirement to carry an unexpired medical certificate and not the actual medical standards. It is important that mariners with disqualifying medical conditions do not sail.

STCW endorsements

• MMCs with STCW endorsements that expire between March 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020 are extended until March 31, 2021. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the extension criteria must carry the expired credential with a copy of this notice.

• Until July 1, 2021, for mariners who have met the requirements for initial competency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (PSC), PSC-limited, fast rescue boats (FRB), basic training (BT), and advanced firefighting (AFF) and who are renewing MMCs that expire between March 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, the Coast Guard will accept shipboard experience in fire, emergency, and/or abandon ship drills for demonstrating continued competence in PSC, PSC-Ltd, FRB, BT, and/or AFF provided they have obtained at least 360 days of relevant service within the past five years. Relevant seagoing service will be determined as described in NVICs 4-14, 05-14, 08-14 and 09-14.

• Mariners who do not have at least one year of relevant service in the past five years can only renew their STCW endorsements by demonstrating continued competence for PSC, PSC-Ltd, FRB, BT, and/or AFF as specified in 46 CFR 12.613(b)(4) or 46 CFR 12.615(b)(4) and NVIC 04-14 (for PSC and PSC-Ltd); 46 CFR 12.617(b)(4) and NVIC 05-15 (for FRB); 46 CFR 11.302(e), 12.602(e), and NVIC 08-14 (for BT); and/or 46 CFR 11.303(e) and NVIC 09-14 (for AFF). These mariners will need to complete original or “refresher” training for PSC, PSC-Ltd, FRB, BT, and/or AFF, as appropriate. Shorter and less comprehensive “revalidation” courses are not acceptable.

STCW medical certificates

• STCW medical certificates that expire between March 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020 are extended until Dec. 31, 2020. Mariners who are actively working on an expired medical certificate that meet the extension criteria must carry the expired certificate with a copy of this notice. This measure ONLY relaxes the requirement to carry an unexpired STCW medical certificate and not the actual medical standards. It is important that mariners with disqualifying medical conditions do not sail.

Additional administrative measures

• The following items that expire in between March 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020 are extended until Dec. 31, 2020: Additional information letters, qualified assessor letters, designated examiner letters, approval to test letters, and mariner training course completion certificates.

Pilot annual physical examinations

• 46 USC 7101(e)(3) requires that pilots undergo an annual physical examination each year while holding a credential. The Coast Guard does not intend to enforce this requirement given the current the pandemic and its impacts on health care providers. This measure ONLY relaxes the requirement for an annual physical and not the actual medical standards. This posture applies until Dec. 31, 2020 irrespective of when the medical certificate expires. It is important that pilots with disqualifying medical conditions do not sail.

Course and program approvals

• Course and program approvals that expire between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020 are extended for six months from their current expiration date. This MSIB serves as formal notification of the extension. The National Maritime Center will not issue new course approval letters or certificates. NMC will update internal records to ensure the acceptance of course completion certificates issued during the extension and that the website reflects appropriate information.

• The NMC will continue to work with training providers on a case-by-case basis to approve alternate training delivery methods, including distance or blended learning. Approved requests and new requests for alternate training delivery methods will become part of the existing course approval and will be valid until the expiration date of the course; and where applicable, will be subject to the extension provided in the previous paragraph. At the time of renewal of the course, the Coast Guard will closely review the training delivery methods including those previously approved as a temporary measure. All testing, practical assessments, and labs associated with these courses must be completed no later than 6 months from the completion of the knowledge- based portion of the training.

• The NMC will consider, on a case-by-case basis, the use of alternative testing methods for some courses for some end of course examinations provided the training provider can show that the alternative method includes confirmation of the identity of the person taking the test, and maintains the integrity of the examination. The Coast Guard will consider the tools and business processes submitted for approval along with the course content in determining whether to approve the request. Requests should be submitted to NMCCourses@uscg.mil and include a list of courses, a complete description of the alternative requested, the tools involved, and the business process to be employed.

• The NMC will also consider and approve, on a case-by-case basis, alternative assessment methods for some courses provided it allows the instructor or a qualified assessor to properly witness the assessment. Requests should be submitted to NMCCourses@uscg.mil and include a list of courses, a complete description of the alternative requested, the tools involved and the business process to be employed.

• This MSIB serves as the extension for previously approved courses using alternate delivery methods.

The NMC may issue additional guidance on these extensions and other administrative measures consistent with this MSIB. This guidance will be posted at https://www.uscg.mil/nmc//. If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e- mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

By Professional Mariner Staff