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The National Maritime Center's mission is to issue professional credentials to mariners in compliance with regulations, efficiently and effectively. Get updates on processing time, security endorsements, STCW implementation, and medical certificates.
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MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALING Mr. Ike Eisentrout Deputy Director USCG National Maritime Center
The National Maritime Center’s Mission: Issue professional credentials to mariners who are fully compliant with current regulations, in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
An average day at the NMC • Applications: • Received: 287 • Safety & Suitability: 214 • Awaiting Info: 165 • Approved to test: 39 • Denied: 9 • Credentials Produced: • 295 MMC/Endorsements • 320 Medical Certs • Website Hits: 4308 • Auto-generated E-mails: 2209 • Course, Instructor, and DE Approvals: 18 • Course Audits/Site Approvals: 1 • Exams Given: 65 (Modules: 127) • CSC Phone Calls: 1200 • IASKNMC E-mails: 372
Sept. Net Processing Time (NPT) NPT: Coast Guard Time Current NPT: 13.10 NPT Goal: 30 days or less
March Net Processing Time (NPT) NPT: Coast Guard Time Current NPT: 28.76 NPT Goal: 30 days or less
Since September 2013: • Government lapse in appropriations • Surge of Security Endorsements applications • Creation and initial push of Medical Certificates (MLC 2006) • Publishing of the STCW Final Rule, 9 new NVICs with 17 more on the way • New Credentialing Application forms have been completed and will soon be submitted to OMB for final approval
Security Endorsements • Began issuance in Feb 2008 (Vessel Security Officer-VSO) • Policy Letter12-06 published in Oct 2012 – reemphasized the need for mariners to apply to meet international requirements • Slow steady increase until August – followed by massive surge this past fall • Feb 2013 – Endorsements handled as normal application • Total issued since Oct 2012: SA-58,170 and VPDSD-49,302
STCW Implementation at NMC - Overview • Medical Certificates: • IT capability, design, & resources completed • Surge for int’l mariners on schedule to be completed by end March • 52,735certificates issued as of 1 April • Training in progress for evaluators, RECs, CSC • Security endorsement surge completed • New exams created – ready for administration • New exam guide drafted – in approval process • New checklists largely completed – have been posted • Course approvals in progress iaw NVIC 03-14 • Website updates: • Medical Certificate page completed – updates ongoing • STCW Rule page pending • STCWASK FAQs posted
STCW Webpage Update • Check for upcoming changes to NMC webpage! • Previous STCW page incorporated into Evaluations • New STCW Rule page online soon • Revised checklists reflecting old and new requirements will be available on 24 Mar 2014 • Comparison of requirement of previous and new regs • STCW Rule FAQs at: • http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/stcw/new_STCW_rule_faq.asp
NMC Website (http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/)
When are Medical Certificates Required? • 1 Jan 2017 for mariners on vessels to which STCW applies • 20 Aug 2013 - Per Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) • 24 Mar 2019 for all other mariners Important Note for Employers IAW NVIC 01-14, vessels only sailing national waters do not need a medical certificate to sail until 24 Jan 2019. Please do not require mariners to get a medical certificate to sail now.
Medical Certificates Regulation I/9 (Medical Certificate) of the STCW sets forth minimum standards for the medical certification of seafarers. • Medical certificates will be required to hold and serve under a valid MMC. • Medical certificates must be renewed every 2 years for Pilots and mariners sailing on STCW applicable vessels. All others will be issued and valid for 5 years. • On January 2, 2014, the Coast Guard began issuing medical certificates to all mariners holding valid international endorsements. • The plan was for NMC to issue 50,000 medical certificates within 90 days; we expected to finish printing the initial issue of medical certificates by 24 March and we did . • Additional guidance can be found in Guidance on the Issuance of Medical Certificates, NVIC 01-14.
How to Apply for a Medical Certificate • The CG-719K or CG-719 K/E serve as the application form for a medical certificate • No CG-719B required for medical certificate only • No fees apply • Submit through an REC • Lost medical certificates – • Mariners should submit a written request for duplicate including statement of loss • Submit through an REC
Waivers/Restrictions/Limitations • Mariners with certain medical conditions may receive a time limited certificate. • Waivers: • Waivers will be recorded by notation of “waiver” on med cert • A waiver compliance statement will be added to the med cert • A waiver letter will be issued outlining terms and conditions • Mariners will not have to sign and return the waiver letter • Medically related restrictions and operational limitations will only be reflected on the medical cert – no longer on the MMC.
MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALING Mr. Ike Eisentrout Deputy Director USCG National Maritime Center 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) iasknmc@uscg.mil
Course Approvals • STCW courses approved prior to the final rule may continue to be offered without modification until December 31, 2016. • STCW Courses not in compliance with the final rule will not be approved after December 31, 2016. • National endorsement courses approved prior to the final rule may continue to be offered without modification until • March 24, 2019. • National endorsement courses not in compliance with the final rule will not be approved after March 24, 2019.
Course Approvals • Organizations with approved STCW courses are reminded that they must maintain a Quality Standard System (QSS). • Course approval NVIC provides the following: • Sample course approval package • Course curricula guidelines • Guidance for courses using simulators • Guidance for distance and e-learning courses • Guidance on qualified instructors
Exams • In accordance with the STCW Final Rule and the revised Subject Matter Tables, there are changes to structure and content of some exams. • Where applicants are qualified to be evaluated under previous regulations, they may also take previous exams. • NMC will default to previous exams unless new exams requested. • Where applicants begin service or training on or after 24 Mar 2014, they will be examined under new regulations.
Exam Guide • New Exam Guide will be available soon. • Will outline exam requirements specified in subject matter tables contained in new Rule • Will be available on the NMC website • Current Exam Guide will also remain available until phased out through transition
Qualified Assessors • Will be required for STCW assessments completed after • 31 Dec 2016 • NVIC pending • Will outline requirements for QA at various levels • Application process similar to Designated Examiner process • NMC will accept assessments signed by an assessor meeting current assessor requirements until 31 Dec 2016