The US Coast Guard issued a bulletin informing that Merchant mariner credentials (MMC) and medical certificates (national endorsements only) which expired in December 2018, January 2019, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, June 2019, or July 2019 will remain valid only until 31 August 2019, as announced on 1st July 2019. No further credential extensions are authorized.
Due to a continued backlog of credential applications caused by the lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center operations over the last months, the USCG had extended validity to 31 July and then 31 August. However, the shutdown has now improved, the USCG informed in a new bulletin dated 26 August.
The backlog of credential applications and increased net processing time caused by the lapse in appropriations and partial government shutdown has improved,
…USCG announced.
Within the next 2 weeks, the USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) will resume processing all MMC applications within the stated goal of 30 net days.
Applications for medical certificates are currently processed well under the goal of 20 net days.
The NMC recommends mariners submit their application packages at least 2 months prior to the expiration date of their current credentials.
Explore more by reading the official bulletin:
