Question of the Week
WWII Merchant Mariners
Don't forget the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act" (S961 & HR23). This legislation needs to be acted upon soon if it is to have any significance. For more information as well as links to Representatives, go to www.usmm.org.
Merchant Mariner Credential
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If you have questions about qualifying for the new Merchant Mariner Credential, please contact us.
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The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended in 1995 (the acronym is STCW) imposes new and significant requirements on mariners applying for certain licenses and certification.
In the News
In the News
Collisions, groundings, piracy, rescues -- bad things, inexplicable things and, as in the freeing of Capt. Richard Phillips, very good things happen. Here is our record of such events as they come to our attention. Read More On the Quarter
On the Quarter
Barbecues in LaPaz? Flags of Convenience? Is 'acronym' an acronym? We are pretty sure our ruthlessly inquisitive father was born to blog, so we've invited him to do it here, in "On the Quarter." Read More
National Maritime Center
National Maritime Center
The National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia, is the US Coast Guard's processing center for all mariner licensing and credential transactions. The website provides information for new mariners, continuing mariners, returning mariners -- license and STCW requirements, applications, policy and guidance. It also enables the mariner to check on the status of his or her pending application. Read More
Regulation Watch
Regulation Watch
Mariners increasingly find themselves beset by regulations from a variety of sources. We will try to alert you here to significant changes (proposed and enacted) to maritime laws, affecting licensing requirements, examination procedures and documentation requirements as found in the Federal Register, USCG Navigation and Inspection Circulars (NVICs), Policy and Guidance Statements. Read More
Towing Licenses
Obtaining a Towing License
Over the last several years there have been significant changes in the licensing requirements for operators of towing vessels. It used to be that licenses authorizing operation on inspected vessels would satisfy the requirements for most towing vessels of lesser or equal tonnage. This is no longer the case. There are now several ways to become an officer on a towing vessel, ranging from the entry level Apprentice Steersman to service-in-training while holding a previously issued license. Read More