The U.S. Coast Guard on October 18 announced publication of changes to five Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs). The agency last month publicized modifications to three of the documents (04-14, 08-14 and 09-14) (see related post HERE).
The October 18 communication appears below and includes links to all five NVICs. The NVIC specifically pertaining to Able Seafarer-Deck is 76 pages and includes the following information:
- MAJOR CHANGES. This Commandant Change Notice revises Enclosure (2) of NVIC 14-14 as follows:
a. The performance conditions for some practical demonstrations of competence are revised to allow the assessments to be performed in locations other than a ship when the use of shipboard equipment is not needed for the assessment, and to add greater flexibility as to how the assessment may be performed; and
b. The performance standard for task no. 4.9.A is revised to omit tying certain knots and making splices as this demonstration of skill is required by 46 CFR 12.405(c) to qualify for an associated national endorsement as Able Seaman.
Changes to Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars: 04-14, 08-14, 09-14, 12-14, and 14-14The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing published changes to five Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) concerning qualification for certain Merchant Mariner Credential Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) endorsements. NVICs 04-14, 08-14, and 09-14 were revised to provide guidance on renewal of STCW endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft, Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited, Basic Training, and Advanced Firefighting for mariners serving on vessels in a reduced operating status and on other vessels in operation that do not get underway. NVIC 12-14 (Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch 500 Gross Tons or More) was revised to remove grandfathering provisions that expired on January 1, 2017, and to add an explanation of the requirement in 46 CFR 11.201(a) to hold an appropriate national endorsement in order to qualify for an STCW endorsement. NVIC 14-14 (Able Seafarer-Deck) was revised to allow assessments of competence to be performed in locations other than a ship when the use of shipboard equipment is not needed for the assessment, and to add greater flexibility as to how the assessment may be performed. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard NVIC webpage to view the revised NVICs. For information about these NVICs or to suggest changes, contact the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-MMC-2) at (202) 372-2357 or [email protected]. Sincerely, /K. R. Martin/ Kirsten R. Martin |
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