USCG Extends Mariner Credentials due to Government Shutdown
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that mariners whose credentials expire between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 will receive an extension due to the current lapse in appropriations.
The Coast Guard is currently unable to process all mariner credentials in time to ensure that all mariners receive their renewed credentials before their current documents expire.
Under the authority of 46 United States Code 7507, the Coast Guard, will be granting extensions to national endorsements until Dec. 31, 2013. Mariners affected by this situation should visit the National Maritime Center’s website www.uscg.mil/nmc to print the letter granting this extension. Mariners should retain this letter with their credentials and have it available for Coast Guard or any other officials who may ask to examine them.
The Coast Guard will issue a new credential Mariners who must renew their credential and are likely to sail on international routes. Those mariners whose credential expires between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2013, and are likely to sail internationally, should contact the National Maritime Center.
Additional questions regarding this matter should be forwarded to the National Maritime Center at 1-888-427-5662 or by email at iasknmc@uscg.mil. Mariners and industry stakeholders are encouraged to monitor the NMC website for updates.