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Hurricane Katrina closes Regional Exam Centers (9/7)

The U.S. Coast Guard recently issued the following news release: Hurricane Katrina closes Regional Exam Centers WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard Regional Examination (REC) in New Orleans is located in an area that was heavily flooded by Hurricane Katrina. Initial estimates indicate that REC New Orleans may be closed for up to six months. Also affected, but to a lesser extent, was the REC in Houston. REC Houston suffered loss of communications, and alternate routings are being investigated. It is hoped that REC Houston will soon be restored to full operating status, but, at present, the total impact of the hurricane is unknown. Coast Guard officials at the National Maritime Center are drafting plans to continue to provide credentialing services to mariners located in the areas devastated by Katrina. Until these plans are completed, mariners who would normally apply for a mariner's credential at REC New Orleans should now apply at any other REC. The nearest RECs to the New Orleans that were not affected by Katrina are located in Miami, Florida and Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to continuation of public service, plans are also being developed to process applications filed at REC New Orleans that were under evaluation at the time the hurricane struck. Further information will be released as plans for processing those applicants are completed. Applicants, who were in the pending queue at REC New Orleans and require immediate issuance of a credential, may call any REC for information as to the status of their application. ###