For Immediate Release: July 14, 2009 Further Information: Mark Forest/Rory Sheehan - 202-225-3111 KEY HOUSE PANEL PASSES MARINER LICENSE EXTENSIONS   Delahunt Says Measure Will Reduce Large Backlog of Mariner License Applications U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt announced today that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation that allows the Coast Guard to extend the duration of expiring mariner licenses for up to one year. “There is no reason why thousands of qualified mariners, such as licensed captains, deckhands and engineers should be at risk of losing their jobs because of government red tape.” said Delahunt.  “This legislation will allow the Coast Guard to extend existing licenses while they implement measures to reduce the exceptionally large backlog of mariner renewal applications.”   This provision was included in the Maritime Safety Act of 2009 (HR 2652), which was introduced by Chairman James Oberstar and US Rep. Elijah Cummings, who chairs the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.  Delahunt cosponsored this bill in response to pleas from local mariners that the backlog is threatening maritime jobs and unnecessarily putting mariners out of work. This concern has been exacerbated by both the current economic downturn and commencement of the brief but busy summer tourism and boating seasons in New England. Delahunt has not only been meeting with local mariners, but recently hosted a briefing with Coast Guard officials and local mariner groups on the issue.  Last week, at a Coast Guard Subcommittee hearing in Washington D.C., officials testified that the problems are due to the Coast Guard's recent transition from shifting the processing of applications from regional centers to a single national facility.  In addition, the establishment of the new Merchant Mariner Credential and the large number of medical evaluations has created additional delays in the processing time for applications. The Coast Guard has assured Delahunt that they would implement additional measures to alleviate the paperwork backlog, but also welcomes the passage of this legislation. This bill next heads to the floor for consideration by the full House. Newsroom