Due to lengthy processing times, the National Maritime Center advises mariners that applications should be submitted at least 90 days in advance of when the mariner needs his or her credential. In addition NMC asks that applicants make sure the submitted package is complete and in .pdf form.
The National Maritime Center updates evolving COVID-19 guidelines daily. Here are the most recent:
- February 4: U.S. Mariner Mental Health Needs during COVID-19 Survey
- December 22: MSIB 08-20 Change 5
- October 2: Additional Information on Awaiting Information (AI), Qualified Assessors & Designated Examiner Letters
- October 1: Extensions of Merchant Mariner Endorsements, Medical Certification and Course Approvals due to COVID (MSIB 08-20 Change 4)
- September 24: COVID & Lengthier Application Processing Times
- August 31: TWIC & COVID, MSIB 13-20 Change 1
- August 25: Policy Letter 3-20: Temporary Guidance for Credential Renewal During COVID
- June 4: Extensions of Mariner Credentials, Medical Certificates, Course Approvals and More because of COVID-19
- May 22: Delays in Processing Mariners’ Appeals Due to COVID-19
- April 23: Guidance for Mariner Training Providers
- April 3: TWIC & COVID-19
- March 30: Extension of Validity of Mariner Credentials Due to COVID-19
- March 19: COVID-19 Program Updates
- March 13: Electronic Submissions & COVID-19
The National Maritime Center and the State of Washington have temporarily approved our delivery of several courses through a combination of in-classroom and on-line training. Enrollment is limited. The approval is valid through June 2020, with the possibility of extension contingent upon Public Health considerations. These courses are:
Capt. Thomas B. Crawford
February 9, 1951 – December 20, 2021
Finished with Engines
In response to the vast number of questions related to Towing Vessels — Subchapter M compliance, manning, etc. — the Coast Guard has created two excellent sites, Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) and TugSafe Central.
Seven years ago, Bruce Sherman began our Engineering Program. Under his leadership, hundreds of mariners have been trained, certified
and now work under the authority of their new credentials. The USCG has approved our QMED, DDE (1000/4000) and Assistant Engineer Uninspected Fishing Vessels for in-lieu-of-USCG-examination certification.
Transitioning from the Military to the Maritime Industry
Military personnel with sea-time experience have always been able to use their service when transitioning to the commercial maritime industry. But the process, while common, has often been complicated.
2007, the “Belated Thank You to Merchant Mariners of World War II” bill was introduced to Congress. The purpose of the bill was to acknowledge the enormous contribution and extraordinary sacrifices of merchant mariners to the war effort. Despite accumulating over a hundred cosigners, the bill died. Re-introduced in 2010, the bill again languished. We thought it was beyond resuscitation but a few years later, another bill (HR 563) “Honoring Our World War II Merchant Mariner Act of 2015” was introduced. There are reasons for the disregard of this long overdue tribute, none of them good.
NMC Applications & Forms
- Drug Testing Form CG-719P
- Alternatively, mariners may submit a letter from their employer confirming that the mariner is subject to a random drug testing program and containing the following language:
“(APPLICANT’S NAME/SSN) has been subject to a random testing program meeting the criteria of Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 16.230 for at least 60 days during the previous 185 days, and has not failed nor refused to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs.” This paragraph can be included in the mariner’s sea-time letter. - Finding a Drug Testing Site
Mariners whose sea service has been acquired on vessels less than 200 GT may document their service either by a letter from their employer or form CG-719S.
Occasionally even the finest people find themselves entangled with the law. As part of the evaluation process for a prospective officer, the Coast Guard wants to know details. One or even multiple prosecutions or convictions will not necessarily scotch the deal. Nonetheless, the candidate for a credential must disclose certain information. A relatively new form, CG-719C, can be used for this purpose. Remember that while the TWIC screening will return a history, it is extremely important that the Coast Guard also be informed by the mariner as well.
Given the complexity of a sea-going career, mariners are not always able to keep meticulous copies of sea-time submitted on previous license applications. Fortunately the Coast Guard almost always has access to those earlier submissions. To get a copy of one’s record (including already submitted sea-time), mariners can submit a records request using the Correspondence Request form.
helping seamen advance in their maritime careers. For the first seventy or so years, we concentrated on readying mariners for rigorous credential examinations. These exams were primarily essay, occasionally oral and always difficult.Even before our family migrated to the US from Ireland, Crawfords were water-borne. Our grandfather sailed around Cape Horn (and was swept overboard) on the Sailing Bark “Fingal.” A subsequent wave swept him back. One of our father’s ships was torpedoed and sunk in World War II. A second was caught in the sights of a kamikaze pilot. Grandfather, father, uncles, cousins and brothers have served as Ordinary Seamen, Able-Bodied Seamen and the range of officers from Third Mate to Masters of their own vessels. Their ships — fishing boats, tankers, towboats, container ships — have carried cargoes ranging from oil to lions and tigers to all parts of the globe. Here are photos of a few of their vessels.
Crawford Nautical Training
Mailing Address:
5215 Ballard Ave NW, Suite #1
Seattle, WA 98107
206.612.0106
www.crawfordnautical.org
info@crawfordnautical.org
