USCG National Maritime Center - Policy & Guidance

Security Levels

National Maritime Center (NMC)
Providing Credentials to Mariners

Policy Letter & Guidance Center

Effective June 30, 2010 certain Coast Guard Policy Letters and Guidance Documents will be cancelled. See Table for a complete list.

Cancelled Policy Letters and Documents Table

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

USCG Policies

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

2012
2011
2010
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998

Document	Title	Action	Reference
12-05	Hours of Rest--Implementation of the 2010 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978.
12-06	International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, endorsements as vessel personnel with designated security duties and for security-awareness.
12-07	Guidance on issuance of endorsements and approval of Training to meet the 2010 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW).

Document	Title	Action	Reference
11-07	Qualification VIA "The Hawsepipe" for STCW Endorsement As Officer in charge of a navigation watch on ships of 200 GRT/500 GT or more.
11-12	Sea Service on Vessel Measured under both the regulatory measurement system and convention measurement system.
11-15	Merchant Mariner Credentials for Mariners Not Requiring a Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Document	Title	Action	Reference
10-04	Restricted Endorsements for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) as Operator Of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV)

Document	Title	Action	Reference
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	Superseded by NMC Guidance Document 03-06	46 CFR 10.209
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)	Informational notice no longer required	46 CFR 11.202(b)
09-03	Procedures to Prevent Reduced Periods of Validity of a Mariner's Credentials at Renewal	Superseded by Regulation	46 CFR 10.205 46 CFR 10.209 See, "Coast Guard Clarifies Delayed Issuance" Bulletin for further information

Document	Title	Action	Reference
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	Cancelled as of July 1, 2011	CG 543 Policy Letter 11-07
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)	Contained in Deck & Engine Guide	Deck and Engineering Guide
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)	Informational notice no longer required	46 CFR 11.305
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	Superseded by NMC Guidance Document 04-06	46 CFR 10.225(e)
08-02-Change 2	Electronic Submission of request for course approval	Superseded by NMC Guidance Document 01-06	46 CFR 11.302
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	Expired grandfathering provision. Cancelled as of Feb. 1, 2002	46 CFR 11.202
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	Informational notice no longer required	46 CFR 11.301(g) 46 CFR 12.02-11(d)
13-02	Endorsements on a Merchant Mariners Document (MMD) Issued to a Licensed Officer	Superseded by regulation change	46 CFR 12.02-11(a)(1)
14-02	Qualification for deck and Engineering Ratings	Attachments A&B of enclosure (2) are replaced by NVIC 01-06	NVIC 01-06, Guidelines for Assessment of Merchant Mariner's Proficiency for Certification as Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch Through Demonstration of Skills
15-02	Sea Service on Vessels Measured Under the International Tonnage Convention System
16-02	Change 1 to NMC Policy Letter 01-02	Cancelled as of July 1, 2011	CG 543 Policy Letter 11-07
17-02	Changes to Approval of Training Courses by the Minerals Management Service

Document	Title	Action	Reference
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	Transition provisions self-cancelling as of Feb. 1, 2002	46 CFR Subpart 12.10
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	Superseded by regulation change	46 CFR 15.103
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)	Informational notice no longer required	Approved Courses
16-01	Merchant Marine Licensing Examination Question Comment and Protest	Contained in Deck & Engine Guide	Deck and Engineering Guide

Document	Title	Action	Reference
1-00	Sea Service Credit in the Gulf of Mexico
3-00	Guidance for determination of user fees	Superseded by regulation change	46CFR 10.219
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

Document	Title	Action	Reference
1-99	Instructor Requirements
4-99	Approval of Stereo Optical Company Farnsworth Lantern (Falant) Color Perception Test	Replaced by NVIC	NVIC 4-08, Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials
5-99	Evidence of Completion of Basic Safety Training (BST)	Replaced by NVIC	NVIC 5-00, Guidance on Performance Measures Used to Assess Seafarers' Proficiency in Programs in Basic Safety Training Meeting the Requirements on the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as Amended
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

Document	Title	Action	Reference
1-98	Approval of courses offered outside the United States
4-98	Request for Approval of Instructors after Initial Course Approval	Superseded by regulation change	46 CFR 11.302
7-98	Submission of Application for courses approval	Superseded by regulation change	46 CFR 11.302
9-98	Fire Fighting Course Approval
11-98	Medical Standards for Entry Level Ratings	Superseded by NVIC 04-08	46 CFR 10.215(e)(2)
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	Obsolete due to centralization	71 FR 48480-01
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	Superseded by subsequent policy	NMC Policy Letter 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)
24-98	Application of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), to Engineering Personnel	NMC Policy Letter 14-02 cancelled Enclosure (2)	NMC Policy Letter 14-02, Qualifications for Deck and Engineering Ratings

USCG Guidance

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.

2007
2006
2005
2004

Document	Title	Action	Reference
02-07	US Coast Guard Personnel Substituting Module 054XX Fore Initial Deck Watch Officer Exam (DWINTO)

Document	Title	Action	Reference
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).	Superseded by regulation change and incorporated into TWIC process	46 CFR 12.25
03-06	Background Reviews of applicants for Merchant Mariner's Credentials
04-06	Services To Mariners At Regional Examination Center (REC) Remote Location Or By REC Traveling Examination Teams	Superseded by regulation change	46 CFR 10.209

Document	Title	Action	Reference
01-05	Issuance of Merchant Mariners' Documents (MMDS) to Cadets Attending a Maritime Academy.	Superseded by regulation change	74 FR 59354
02-05	Demonstrations of Competence in Visual Communications (Flashing Light)
03-05	Change 1 to NMC Policy Letter 08-02	Cancelled by subsequent policy	NMC Guidance Document 01-06, Change 2 to NMC Policy Letter 08-02
04-05	Maritime Academy Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) For License Applications And Examinations	Replaced by MMS	71 FR 48480-01 #MCP-MA-NMC5-01

Document	Title	Action	Reference
03-04	Drug Testing

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.

NVIC's

A Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) provides detailed guidance about the enforcement or compliance with a certain Federal marine safety regulations and Coast Guard marine safety programs. While NVIC's are non-directive, meaning that they do not have the force of law, they are important "tools" for complying with the law. Non-compliance with a NVIC is not a violation of the law in and of itself, however non-compliance with a NVIC may be an indication that there is non-compliance with a law, a regulation or a policy.

Click here to go directly to NVIC's page

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Last Modified 12/14/2012