Due to the lack of enacted appropriation or continuing resolution, the US Coast Guard is required to execute an orderly suspension of some operations and activities. USCG will continue operations authorized by law that provide for national security, or that protect life and property. However, some administrative functions will be limited. The following guidance aims to help vessel owners, operators, and other affected parties during the lapse in appropriations.
Certificates of Financial Responsibility
The National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) will not process Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) applications during the lapse in appropriations. Captains of the Port (COTPs) will continue to verify that vessels have a COFR, as applicable via NPFC “Vessel COFR Search” website.
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If the COTP determines that a vessel does not have a COFR, but is required to, the COTP may contact the NPFC Command Duty Officer to assist with compliance determinations.
Certificates of Documentation
Processing commercial vessel documentation requests including renewals cannot be accomplished without violating the Anti-Deficiency Act. CODs for commercial vessels will not be processed, except for those necessary to meet national defense requirements.
Nevertheless, vessel owners and operators should continue to submit renewal applications to the NVDC before the expiration of the COD. In such cases, the following additional guidance is provided:
- Vessels Engaged on Domestic Voyages Only (Coastwise/Fisheries): Vessel owners and operators with a COD that expired on or before January 31, 2019, may continue to operate domestically on the previously issued trade endorsements provided a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC. Vessel owners should be prepared to present evidence, upon request, to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) or the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC), that a renewal application was submitted;
- New Construction/Initial Certification (All Trade Endorsements): In accordance with the Marine Safety Manual, Vol. II, an initial COI may be completed before the COD is issued provided the NVDC has received the application for documentation. Vessel representatives should be prepared to present evidence that the application was submitted to the NVDC, upon request, to the OCMI;
- Engaged on International Voyage (Registry Endorsement): Vessel owners and operators with a COD that expired on or before January 31, 2019, that actively engage on international voyages, and are subject to Port State Control, may apply for dispensation from CG-CVC for continued operation. Dispensation requests related to CODs should be sent to [email protected] and include objective evidence that a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC.
Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs)
The National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Exam Centers (RECs) will be closed. No MMCs will be processed during the lapse in appropriations, with the exception for those necessary to meet national defense requirements. The following additional guidance is provided:
- National Endorsements: Mariners operating on national endorsements should carry a copy of the general extension that was granted by NMC;
- Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Endorsements: Mariners operating on STCW endorsements that expired on or after December 22, 2018 may continue to sail on such endorsements provided that a renewal application has been submitted to the NMC and the company has applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation in accordance with STCW Article VIII. Requests for dispensation should be submitted via email from the company to [email protected] and include the name of the vessel, vessel IMO number, name of mariner, the merchant mariner reference number, and capacity under which employed. The Coast Guard will consider dispensation requests in accordance with the process and standards of STCW Article VIII;
- Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Medical Certificates: The Coast Guard considers the lapse in appropriations to be an urgent situation. Mariners holding medical certificates that expired on or after December 22, 2018 may continue to work under the certificate in accordance with the standards of STCW Regulation I/9.
