The National Maritime Center (NMC) posted updated information for merchant mariners that are affected by the lapse in appropriation. The NMC said that the partial shutdown may affect the industry and cause inconvenience.
Namely, mariners should take consideration of the following information:
- Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended as valid until March 31, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential;
- Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended to March 31, 2019;
- Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended until March 31, 2019;
- For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored.
In addition, USCG noted that operators should e-mail any course approval extension requests to [email protected].
