[Federal Register: August 16, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 158)]
[Notices]
[Page 47238-47239]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au06-104]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[USCG-2005-22541]
Merchant Mariner Credentials: Temporary Procedures
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of extension of validity for merchant mariner
credentials.
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SUMMARY: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the
coastlines of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The Regional
Examination Center (REC) at New Orleans, which provided credentialing
services to approximately 29,000 mariners in those three states and 14
percent of mariners nationwide, was completely flooded, destroying
vital records and equipment and rendering the facility inoperable for a
considerable period of time. As a result, many mariners in the area are
in possession of merchant mariner's documents, licenses and/or
certificates of registry (collectively referred to as ``credentials'')
that either have expired or may expire before the Coast Guard will be
able to process these mariners' applications for renewal or upgraded
credentials. With the authority Congress has granted, the Coast Guard
is temporarily extending the expiration dates for credentials of
eligible mariners for up to one year.
DATES: This notice is effective August 16, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have any questions related to
this notice, call Mr. Donald J. Kerlin, Deputy Director, Coast Guard
National Maritime Center (NMC), Arlington, VA, (202) 493-1006.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 702 of the Coast Guard
and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, Public Law 109-241, the Coast
Guard is initiating temporary credentialing measures for merchant
mariner's documents, licenses, and certificates of registry for
individuals who meet the following conditions:
(1) If the individual is a resident of Alabama, Mississippi, or
Louisiana, as confirmed by the Coast Guard's Merchant Mariner Licensing
and Documentation system, or
(2) If the individual is a resident of any other State or Territory
of the United States, and the records of the individual were--
(A) Located at the Coast Guard REC facility in New Orleans that was
damaged by Hurricane Katrina; or
(B) Damaged or lost as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
A credential that shows that it was issued in New Orleans, LA, will
be sufficient proof that the mariner's records were located at the
Coast Guard REC facility in New Orleans for category (2)(A) above.
Because of its international treaty obligations under the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, the United States
may not extend STCW endorsements in this same manner. Mariners who
require such an endorsement must obtain it through the normal
procedures as provided in 46 CFR part 10 and 12.
The following measures are applicable to all eligible mariners
whose credentials, including Coast Guard-issued duplicates of lost or
damaged credentials, have expired, or will expire, during the period
indicated within this Notice.
If a credential in a mariner's possession has expired or will
expire between August 29, 2005, and April 1, 2007, and the credential
indicates that either the mariner's home of record is in Alabama,
Mississippi, or Louisiana, or that the credential was issued at New
Orleans, LA, then that credential, together with a copy of this Notice,
will serve as a valid credential until the Coast Guard issues the
mariner a renewal or upgraded credential, or for one year from the
original expiration date indicated on the credential in the mariner's
possession, whichever occurs first.
A mariner who is a resident of any other State or Territory of the
United States, and whose credential was issued at a location other than
REC New Orleans and has expired or will expire between August 29, 2005,
and April 1, 2007, and whose records were damaged or lost as a result
of Hurricane Katrina, should contact any REC for the procedures to
obtain official correspondence confirming that the mariner's credential
remains valid until the Coast Guard issues the mariner a renewal or
upgraded credential, or for one year from the original expiration date
indicated on the credential in the mariner's possession, whichever
occurs first.
In determining their eligibility for an extension of their
credentials under this Notice, mariners are encouraged to seek
assistance at REC New Orleans, or at any of the other REC's around the
country, a list of which is available through the Internet at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/web/
, and at 46 CFR 10.105 and 12.01-7.
Due to the amount of time it currently takes the Coast Guard to
process applications, early application for renewal or upgrade will
help ensure that mariners receive their renewal or upgraded credential
prior to the expiration of the authorized extension. Mariners who visit
an REC to obtain official correspondence confirming that the mariner's
credential remains valid, or to conduct any other transaction involving
a credential that is within one year of expiration, should apply for a
[[Page 47239]]
renewal or upgraded credential at the same time.
Authority: Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006,
Section 702, Public Law 109-241, 2006 H.R.889, 46 U.S.C. secs. 2103,
7101, 7106, 7107, 7302, 7501, and 7502, and Department of Homeland
Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
Dated: August 11, 2006.
C.E. Bone,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06-6978 Filed 8-14-06; 11:11 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P