U.S. Coast Guard – Professional Mariner

24 May

Coast Guard issues guidance on MMCs for sex offenders

Rich MillerLicensing & TrainingU.S. Coast Guard

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published CG-MMC Policy Letter 03- 23 titled "Evaluation of Suitability for Applicants with Convictions for Sexual Assault." The Coast Guard will use this policy when evaluating applications for a merchant mariner credential (MMC) subject to safety and suitability determinations under 46 CFR 10.209(e)(1) when the criminal history record information (CHRI)…

22 May

Alternate laminate being used temporarily for MMCs

Rich MillerLicensing & TrainingU.S. Coast Guard

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Due to ongoing supply chain issues, the National Maritime Center (NMC) is temporarily using an alternate laminate for merchant mariner credentials (MMCs). This laminate has the same feel and print-protective qualities as the current laminate. The only difference is the lack of holograms when the MMC is turned to the light. These MMCs are valid and can…

18 May

‘All Together’: 235 graduate from Coast Guard Academy

Rich MillerLicensing & Trainingmaritime news, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW LONDON, Conn.) — Two-hundred and thirty-five ensigns graduated and were commissioned for service Wednesday at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas delivered the keynote address during the 142nd commencement exercises on Cadet Memorial Field. The Class of 2023 arrived at the academy on July 1, 2019. The class motto is Omnes Simul, which means…

18 May

Mariner medevaced after leg injury on OSV off Louisiana

Rich MillerCasualty NewsU.S. Coast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a crewmember from an offshore supply vessel Wednesday approximately 11 miles southeast of Southwest Pass, La. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center watch standers received a report at approximately 8 a.m. via VHF-FM Channel 16 from the offshore supply vessel Brandon Bordelon of a 50-year-old male crewmember with an injury to…

15 May

Safety alert: Dangers of avoiding load line requirements

Rich MillerMaritime Newscasualty news, safety, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A recent marine casualty resulting in the total loss of a crane barge, estimated at over $6 million, is a stark warning of the risks involved with failing to adhere to load line regulations. The incident occurred approximately 18 miles offshore of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico while the crane barge was being towed in calm weather…

15 May

Pushboat crew rescues two boaters near Brazos Locks

Rich MillerMaritime Newsbrownwater, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(HOUSTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard and a pushboat crew rescued two boaters whose vessel capsized near Freeport, Texas, on Friday. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watch standers received a report at 1:10 p.m. via VHF-FM Channel 16 that two men were in the water near the west gate of the Brazos Locks on the Brazos River after their 16-to-20-foot pleasure…

12 May

WSF cites fuel contamination for grounding on Seattle run

Rich MillerCasualty Newsferries, U.S. Coast Guard

The following is a statement from Eben Phillips, director of vessel engineering and maintenance for Washington State Ferries (WSF), regarding the recent grounding of the ferry Walla Walla: "On April 15, Walla Walla had both its ship's service generator and vital generator shut down in Rich Passage, ultimately resulting in a full loss of propulsion and steerage, and subsequently (the…

28 Apr

Task force terminates multiple illegal Gulf Coast charters

Rich MillerMaritime NewsLicensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(MOBILE, Ala.) — The U.S. Coast Guard-led Gulf Coast Illegal Charter (GCIC) Task Force terminated multiple voyages through March and April for operating in violation of the Vessel Passenger Safety Act and regulations governing passenger vessels. On March 11, the Coast Guard was notified by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama Marine Resources Division, who boarded a charter…

27 Apr

Changes to AI letter processing for merchant mariner credentials

Rich MillerLicensing & Trainingmaritime news, U.S. Coast Guard

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) is centralizing the processing for submission of all information sent in response to 60- and 90-day awaiting information (AI) letters. The preferred method of AI documentation submission is email. Email all requested AI documentation to: MMC-Awaiting-Info@uscg.mil. If you would prefer to mail your AI documentation to the NMC, send it to: U.S.…

26 Apr

Search suspended for mariner missing from crew boat

Rich MillerCasualty NewsU.S. Coast Guard

(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing crewmember near Port Sulphur, La., on Wednesday. Coast Guard crews searched approximately 220 square miles for a combined 11.5 search hours. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watch standers received a notification at approximately 12 a.m. Wednesday from the crew boat Mr. Fred of a missing crewmember.…