(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The U.S. Coast Guard will accept completed training or continued competence in STCW basic training (BT) as meeting the requirement for CPR for an original officer endorsement, per 46 CFR 11.201(i). This action is being taken to relieve the burden on mariners seeking to obtain a merchant mariner credential (MMC).
Original applicants for officer endorsements are required to provide evidence of completing first aid and CPR training. The regulations already provide for the acceptance of continued competence in basic training as meeting the requirement for first aid. This notice provides acceptance of continued competence in basic training to also be accepted as meeting the requirement for CPR. Furthermore, completion of basic training within the previous five years will also be accepted as meeting the requirement for first aid and CPR.
Current applicants holding a valid BT endorsement who have not submitted evidence of CPR will be reviewed and BT applied toward meeting these regulatory requirements for the original officer endorsement.
The National Maritime Center will apply this to all currently approved training courses that might be impacted by this change. Training providers are not required to submit modifications to currently approved courses. Updated approval language will be issued with original and renewal requests.
– U.S. Coast Guard
