[Federal Register: October 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 191)]
[Notices]               
[Page 57885-57886]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04oc05-79]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[USCG-2005-22541]

 
Merchant Mariner Credentials: Temporary Procedures; Hurricane 
Katrina

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Fee Waiver.

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SUMMARY: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the 
coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Regional 
Examination Center (REC) at New Orleans, which serves 14% of mariners 
nation-wide and reflects about 29,000 mariners in those three states, 
was completely flooded, destroying vital records and equipment, and 
rendering the facility temporarily inoperable. Since mariners in the 
area may also have lost their credentials in the storm and subsequent 
flooding, the Coast Guard is hereby implementing temporary measures to 
relieve some hardship on mariners in the Gulf coast area who need 
replacement credentials.

DATES: This Notice is effective October 4, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, 
call Mr. Donald J. Kerlin, Deputy Director, Coast Guard National 
Maritime Center (NMC), (202) 493-1006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Mariners whose homes of record are in the 
states of Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama as confirmed by the Coast 
Guard's merchant mariner licensing and documentation system (MMLD), and 
have lost their merchant mariner's document (MMD), merchant mariner's 
license, or certificate of registry (COR) (collectively referred to as 
``credentials'') may apply at any REC to receive a duplicate credential 
that will bear the same expiration date and qualifications as the 
original credential that was lost. Until February 28, 2006, the fee 
usually charged for the issuance of duplicate credentials, will be 
waived. Additionally, any mariner who applied for a duplicate 
credential between August 29, 2005 and the publication of this Notice, 
and paid any fee may apply for a refund at the issuing REC. This waiver 
only applies to duplicate credentials that replace credentials held 
before the hurricane. It does not apply to routine renewals or 
transactions that enhance the mariner's authority (raises of grade). 
Also, all other provisions and requirements in Title 46, Code of 
Federal Regulations (46 CFR) 10.219 and 12.02-23 still apply.
    Since REC New Orleans is expected to remain closed for 
approximately six months or more, additional resources are being 
allocated to RECs Memphis, Houston, Miami and Charleston. Mariners may 
also seek help at any of the other 12 RECs around the country, a list 
of which appears at 46 CFR 10.105 and 12.01-7. You may also call Mr. 
Kerlin for assistance at the number

[[Page 57886]]

provided in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Due to the time it takes to process renewal applications, mariners 
who visit an REC to obtain a duplicate credential that is within one 
year of expiration are strongly encouraged to apply for a renewal or 
upgraded credential at the same time that they receive their duplicate 
credential.

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 2110, 7101, 7302, 7501, 7502, and 
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

    Dated: September 30, 2005.
T.H. Gilmour,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, 
Security and Environmental Protection.
[FR Doc. 05-19988 Filed 9-30-05; 2:23 pm]

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