Coast Guard Regional Exam Center News

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. Mariners who self-identify when applying for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials will no longer need to appear in person at a Coast Guard Regional Exam Center when applying for a new, renewal or upgrade credential. This rulemaking works in tandem with the joint final rule published in Jan.

The Coast Guard Regional Exam Center Puget Sound will host an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at the Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle. The center provides evaluation, testing and issuance of Licenses, Merchant Marine Documents, Certificates of Registry, or international certificates required by crews serving on U.S. commercial vessels. The open house will run from noon to 4 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 1 p.m.