Merchant mariner credentials, both national and STCW, that expire between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2020, are extended to 31 March 2021, the US Coast Guard announced.
This comes as USCG has posted Change 3 to MSIB 08-20, titled COVID-19 – Mariner Credentials that updates information on the extensions to merchant mariner credential, medical certificates and course approvals.
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In addition to the extension of marine credentials, the Coast Guard is accepting shipboard experience in lieu of refresher training in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (PSC), PSC-limited, fast rescue boats (FRB), basic training (BT), and advanced firefighting (AFF) for mariners who are renewing MMCs that expire between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.
Shipboard experience in fire, emergency, and/or abandon ship drills is accepted as demonstrating continued competence in these areas provided the mariner has obtained at least 360 days of relevant service within the past five years.
Approvals for temporary alternate training delivery methods are extended to align with the existing course approval expiration date, including any extensions that were previously granted by this MSIB.
While the Coast Guard has provided the extensions noted in the MSIB, mariners and training providers are strongly encouraged to fulfill the requirements and submit applications as early as possible in order to avoid a lapse in their credential or training approval. Similarly, training providers need to make every effort to submit their application early to avoid expiration of their current approval,
…says Rear Admiral R. V. Timme, USCG Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy.
