Final Large Passenger Vessel Crew Requirements

The U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate announced Thursday publication of a final rule in the Federal Register that amends regulations for merchant mariner documentation previously published as an interim rule April 24, 2007.

The final rule implements Section 3509 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, also known as the Warner Act, which allows for the issuance of merchant mariner credentials to certain non-resident aliens for service in the steward’s departments of U.S.-flag, large passenger vessels endorsed for coastwise trade.

Under the final rule, the Coast Guard may issue merchant mariner credentials to qualified, non-resident aliens, as defined in the Warner Act, who are authorized to be employed in the United States.  The final rule also implements the requirements established in the Warner Act that non-resident aliens must meet to qualify for merchant mariner credentials and those requirements for large passenger vessel operators who may hire non-resident aliens.

The Final Rule and related materials may be reviewed online at www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2007-27761.