(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — On Tuesday, Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 06-23 titled “Merchant Mariner Credentialing Delays” was canceled. The National Maritime Center (NMC) is no longer experiencing merchant mariner credential (MMC) issuance delays, therefore the verification of authority afforded in MSIB 06-23 is no longer required. All mariners sailing under the authority of their credential should have a valid MMC…

(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…

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — On April 12, the U.S. Coast Guard’s online public access portal, Homeport, was taken offline permanently. Listed below are the primary mariner credentialing services affected by this change and the alternate methods for service currently available: • Merchant mariner application status: To check on the status of an application for a merchant mariner credential or medical certificate,…

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a final rule updating the accepted required payment method for mariner credentialing fees, removing the requirement for prospective mariners to take an oath before an authorized official, and changing the format requirements for certificates of discharge. The Coast Guard is working to replace the merchant mariner licensing and documentation database used by…