Merchant Mariner

Coast Guard Establishes Mariner Website

The Coast Guard launched a website to provide merchant mariners with real-time information on the status of pending mariner credential applications. Merchant mariners can check the status of application packages throughout the verification and approval process by logging onto http://homeport.uscg.mil/, clicking on the Merchant Mariners tab and then clicking on Merchant Mariner Application Status. When application information is entered, Homeport will display the information submitted with the application package and current application status information. Mariner credentials that have already been issued will be displayed in Homeport as "issued" for a 120 day period. Mariners who need additional information after visiting the website can request additional information by telephone or email.

First Consolidated Merchant Mariner Credential

The U.S. Coast Guard issued the first consolidated Merchant Mariner Credential May 7, during the Towing Safety Advisory Committee meeting held at Dania Beach, Fla. Jessica Dennis, a regulatory compliance manager for Hornbeck Offshore, was the first mariner to receive the new MMC as evidenced by its serial number of 000000001. Dennis is a graduate of the Texas Maritime Academy and holds domestic officer endorsements such as; second mate of steam motor vessels, able seaman

Hearing on Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation

On July 20, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will conduct a hearing on merchant mariner licensing and documentation. Source: HK Law

U.S. Secretary of Labor Pays Tribute to Merchant Mariners

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued a statement on National Maritime Day urging awareness and acknowledgement of the achievements and sacrifice of the U.S. Merchant Marine: "On this National Maritime Day 2007, I call on all Americans to recognize and honor those men and women who serve so proudly in our United States Merchant Marine and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in service of our country.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Honors U.S. Merchant Marine on National Maritime Day

As part of the celebration of National Maritime Day, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today honored the men and women of the U.S. merchant marine who risk their lives on wartime seas. This year’s ceremony at Navy Memorial Auditorium paid special tribute to the action of mariners during World War II. Following the presentation of the colors and a moment of silence, Secretary Mineta spoke of WWII merchant mariners who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation

Guidelines re Proficiency in First Aid

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) entitled “Guidelines for Assessing Merchant Mariners through Demonstration of Proficiency in Medical First Aid.” The guidelines are for use in training programs for U.S. merchant mariners. NVIC 05-04 (HK Law).

CSR Protests Proposal to Eliminate Crew List Visas

The Center for Seafarers' Rights (CSR) of the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey has called on the U.S. State Department to postpone the elimination of crew list visas until October 2004. "The United States should not eliminate the most accessible and utilized means merchant mariners have for applying for shore leave until an adequate internationally acceptable replacement for an identity document exists," said Douglas B. Stevenson, Director of the Center for Seafarers' Rights

MarAd Launches Merchant Mariner Outreach System

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) has announced the creation of the new web-based Mariner Outreach System (MOS). The system will improve MarAd’s ability to contact mariners during a national sealift emergency. Merchant mariners provide crucial sealift to U.S. Armed Forces for overseas missions, and recently provided vital support for hurricane recovery efforts. The MOS, which will be operated by MARAD as a service to mariners

CG Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials

The U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate announced March 16 the publication of a final rule consolidating regulations for the issuance of merchant mariner qualification credentials. The changes simplify the existing merchant mariner qualification credentialing process by reducing the number of credentials a mariner will need to hold. The rule also eliminates redundant regulatory burdens and government processes

MSC Ship Prevents Suspected Piracy Attack

At approximately 10:30 local time May 5, Military Sealift Command ship (MSC) USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1) was approached by suspected pirates off the eastern coast of Somalia and took evasive action to prevent a successful attack. While transiting north to provide logistics support for U.S. Navy and coalition ships operating in the area, two pirate skiffs pursued Lewis and Clark for more than an hour, closing to a distance of approximately one nautical mile.