The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center has issued the following announcement. The policy letter mentioned in the announcement is available HERE (it’s a 3-page PDF on the agency’s website).

Temporary Changes in Service Requirements for STCW Deck Rating Endorsements

On October 8, 2024, the Coast Guard Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC) published CG-MMC Policy Letter 04-24, Temporary Changes in Service Requirements for STCW Deck Rating Endorsements.  This policy letter addresses the impact of the temporary reduction in sea service requirements for Able Seaman (AB), enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, on the service requirements for STCW deck ratings.

The change in sea service requirements for national AB endorsements impacts the qualification process for STCW deck rating endorsements.  The reduction in the service requirements to obtain national endorsements results in a longer period of additional service to qualify for the STCW endorsements as Able Seafarer-Deck (AS-D).  It does not change the service for the STCW endorsements.  This policy letter allows for service toward Ratings Forming Part of the Navigational Watch (RFPNW) and AS-D to accrue concurrently.

This policy letter is effective upon publication.  The concurrent credit toward RFPNW and AS-D will be applied to all applications that have not reached final agency action.  The NMC will apply these new criteria without requiring a new or amended application.  A new application will be required if the MMC has already been issued or if the application has reached final agency action.

This policy letter is available on the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Policy Letter webpage.

Mariners and other interested parties should contact the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division at [email protected] or (202) 372-2357 with any questions or feedback.

Sincerely,

/M. Medina/

Mayte Medina
Chief, Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing