[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47238-47239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6978]


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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]
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