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Merchant Mariner Information Center - Policy & Guidance

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Policies : Guidance

Policies

1998 : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 : 2002 : 2003

The following policy letters have been provided for the purpose of informing the general public of the US Coast Guard's standing or views on various subject areas. They are provided to inform the public and provide assistance to the schools seeking general information on course approvals, or assisting mariners in attaining licenses, documents and endorsements.

2003 Policies

Top : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 : 2002

[01-03] Change 1 to Policy Letter 08-01.

[02-03] Processing Applications for Mariner Credentials For Service on Seagoing Vessels Beginning 1 February 2003.

[04-03] Acceptance of STCW assessments of Skills to Qualify for Near Coastal and Oceans Towing Vessel Licenses and Endorsements.

[06-03] Qualification for Issuance of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Endorsements.

[07-03] Requirements for Fingerprinting and a Safety and Security Check When Issuing a Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) with a New Expiration Date.
[Enclosure 1] Table of MMD Transactions.

[08-03] Removal of Dates for Completion of Basic Safety Training (BST) From Certificates Issued Under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as Amended (STCW).

[09-03] Procedures to Prevent Reduced Periods of Validity of a Mariner's Credentials at Renewal.

2002 Policies

Top : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 : 2003

[01-02] Applicants for ocean or near coastal mate license for service on vessels of 500 or more gross tonnage (GT) (200 gross register tons [GRT]) with qualifying service or training beginning on or after 1 August 1998 and all applicants beginning 1 February 2002. [Part 2], [Part 3], Also see Policy Letter 16-02.

[02-02] Administration of examinations for certain deck and engine licenses subject to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW).

[03-02] Acceptance of radar observer (unlimited) courses to satisfy requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW).

[04-02] Applicants for ocean or near coastal Master and Chief Mate licenses for service on vessels of 3000 or more gross tonnage (GT) with qualifying service or training beginning on or after 1 August 1998 and all applicants beginning 1 February 2002.

[05-02] Administration of oaths to applicants for merchant mariner's credentials.

[08-02-Change 2] Electronic Submission of request for course approval.

[08-02] Electronic Submission of request for course approval.

[09-02] Validity of licenses for service on vessels of not more than 200 gross tons (GT) valid for service on oceans.

[10-02] Employment of foreign nationals on U.S.-flag vessels.

[11-02] Verification of Identity of Students in Coast Guard Approved Courses.

[12-02] Conducting Assessments of Skills to Satisfy Requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as Amended.

[13-02] Endorsements on a Merchant Mariners Document (MMD) Issued to a Licensed Officer.

[14-02] Qualification for deck and Engineering Ratings.

[15-02] Sea Service on Vessels Measured Under the International Tonnage Convention System.

[16-02] Change 1 to NMC Policy Letter 01-02.

[17-02] Changes to Approval of Training Courses by the Minerals Management Service.

2001 Policies

Top : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 : 2002 : 2003

[2-01] Guidance for Issuance of gas turbine endorsement

[5-01] Lifeboatman and proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC) Qualifications for service on vessels not equipped with lifeboats

[6-01] Qualifications for issuance of type rating endorsements authorizing service on high-speed craft

[7-01] Recognition of Training Courses Approved or Accepted by Foreign Administrations

[8-01] In-Service Qualifications as a Lifeboatman and Certification as proficient in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
Also see Policy Letter 01-03

[9-01] Evaluating experience aboard commercial vessels that do not get underway or that get underway for only limited periods

[10-01] Sea Service Credit for Approved Courses

[12-01] Continuing Competency in Basic Safety Training (BST)

[14-01] Exceptions to the Application of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) to Seagoing Vessels.
[Enclosure 1], Evaluation of a Request for Exemption from the STCW

[15-01] Acceptance of courses completed prior to the implementation of the 1995 amendments to the international convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers,1978 (STCW)

[16-01] Merchant Marine Licensing Examination Question Comment and Protest

2000 Policies

Top : 1998 : 1999 : 2001 : 2002 : 2003

[1-00] Sea Service Credit in the Gulf of Mexico

[3-00] Guidance for determination of user fees

[5-00] Approval of Programs Leading to Certification as a rating forming part of a Navigational Watch

[6-00] Clarification of Navigational and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 7-00 on the application of STCW on vessels less than 200 GRT.

[7-00] Licenses and Certifications Issued under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) for Service on Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV)- Change 1 to Policy Letter 7-00

1999 Policies

Top : 1998 : 2000 : 2001 : 2002 : 2003

[1-99]: Instructor Requirements

[4-99]: Approval of Stereo Optical Company Farnsworth Lantern (Falant) Color Perception Test

[5-99] Evidence of Completion of Basic Safety Training (BST)

[9-99] Medical Training and Qualifications Set Forth in the International Convention an Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW)

[10-99] Fire Fighting Turnout gear for live Fire Training

1998 Policies

Top : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 : 2002 : 2003

[1-98]:Approval of courses offered outside the United States [PDF]

[4-98]:Request for Approval of Instructors after Initial Course Approval

[7-98]: Submission of Application for courses approval

[9-98]: Fire Fighting Course Approval

[11-98]: Medical Standards for Entry Level Ratings

[14-98]: Standards for Approval of Basic Safety Training Courses

[15-98]: Approval of Survival craft and Lifeboat training Courses

[18-98]: Consistency of Evaluations

[20-98]:Alternate Site Approvals for Training

[21-98]: Acceptance of Training for Qualification as a Person in Charge of Medical Care on Board Ship

[24-98]: Application of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW, to Engineering Personnel

Guidance

2004 : 2005 : 2006: 2007

The following material has been provided for the purpose of establishing the minimum subject material for maritime courses to be submitted to the US Coast Guard for approval. Additional subjects will be added as they are developed.

[Shipboard Assessor's Manual] This document provides guidance to persons conducting assessments of mariners' practical skills. Every shipboard assessor should have read this document before assessing a demonstration of a mariner's ability to perform an activity.

Oversight Guidance The purpose of this Instruction is to formally promulgate existing policy and more clearly delineate the standards and reporting requirements for conducting oversight of Coast Guard approved courses and non-governmental parties that perform services related to the issuance of merchant marine licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariner's documents.

2007 Guidance

Top : 2004 : 2005 : 2006

NMC Guidance Document 01-07
Administration Of Examinations For Certain Deck And Engine Licenses

NMC Guidance Document 02-07
U.S Coast Guard Personel Substituting Module 054XX Fore Initial Deck Watch Officer Exam (DWINTO)

2006 Guidance

Top : 2004 : 2005 : 2007

NMC Guidance Document 02-06
Photographs for Merchant Mariner's documents(MMDS) and certificates issued under the international convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping,1978, as amended (STCW)

NMC Guidance Document 03-06
Background Reviews of applicants for Merchant Mariner's Credentials

NMC Guidance Document 04-06
Services To Mariners At Regional Examination Center (REC) Remote Location Or By REC Traveling Examination Teams

2005 Guidance

Top : 2004 : 2006 : 2007

NMC Guidance Document 01-05
Issuance of Merchant Mariners' Documents (MMDS) to Cadets Attending a Maritime Academy.

NMC Guidance Document 02-05
Demonstrations of Competence in Visual Communications (Flashing Light)

NMC Guidance Document 03-05
Change 1 to NMC Policy Letter 08-02.

NMC Guidance Document 04-05
Maritime Academy Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) For License Applications And Examinations.

2004 Guidance

Top : 2005 : 2006 : 2007

NMC Guidance Document 01-04
Processing an application for a license as master of towing vessels after 21 May 2004

NMC Guidance Document 03-04
Drug Testing

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