(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) continues its efforts to reduce the elevated inventory of mariner applications and mitigate the impact of extended processing timelines on mariners.
Temporary credential extensions and other mitigation measures outlined in the April 22 update will expire Aug. 31. However, the NMC recognizes that some mariners submitted renewal applications but, due to extending processing timelines, had their credentials expire while awaiting evaluation. Without delays, these mariners may have received an evaluation determination and completed remaining renewal requirements before their credentials expired.
To address the direct impact of processing delays on this limited population, the NMC is implementing case-specific relief for mariners with qualifying renewal applications. This relief is separate from the temporary extensions expiring Aug. 31 and applies only to mariners meeting eligibility criteria below.
Eligibility for relief
A mariner may qualify for a temporary 120-day authorization to continue sailing under the authority of an expired credential as follows:
• Merchant mariner credential (MMC) (national endorsements only) that expired between Jan. 1 and July 31;
• A renewal application submitted to the NMC before the credential expired, but no later than Aug. 26; and
• The NMC evaluation results in a letter requesting additional information to complete the evaluation, or the NMC issues an approval to test letter.
For eligible applications, the NMC will issue a temporary authorization letter in conjunction with the applicable request for additional information or approval to test letter. This letter allows the mariner to continue operating under the authority of the affected national endorsements for 120 days from the date the NMC issues the letter. Mariners must carry their expired credential and authorization letter while sailing under the authority of the affected national endorsements. The NMC will not issue separate or replacement MMCs reflecting the temporary authorization.
The temporary authorization applies only to national endorsements and does not extend the validity of any Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements or medical certificates. Additionally, the authorization is only valid for the specific application for which the NMC issued it.
Mariners should carefully review all correspondence from the NMC and promptly provide all requested information or complete required testing. Failure to satisfy the requirements of the pending renewal application will not result in any additional temporary authorization.
The U.S. Coast Guard designed this relief to mitigate the impact of extended application processing timelines on qualifying mariners whose credentials expired while their renewal applications were pending evaluation.
The NMC continues to process applications on a first-in, first-out basis as expeditiously as possible, and mariners are strongly encouraged to submit renewal applications early to allow sufficient time for evaluation and resolution of any additional requirements.Mariners are encouraged to monitor the NMC website for future processing timeline updates. For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
– National Maritime Center
