Document ID: USCG-2014-0016-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Policy Implementing the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Final Rule (Federal Register Publication) (Notification of availability.)
Posted Date: 2014-02-26T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04177]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Parts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0016]

Policy Implementing the Standards of Training, Certification and 
Watchkeeping Final Rule; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notification of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of nine Navigation 
and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs), which are the first set of a 
series of NVICs to implement the final rule that aligned Coast Guard 
regulations with amendments to the International Convention on 
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
and made changes to national endorsements. These NVICs will provide 
guidance to mariners concerning new regulations governing merchant 
mariner certificates and endorsements to Merchant Mariner Credentials 
(MMC).

DATES: These NVICs are effective on February 26, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
document, call or email Luke B. Harden, Mariner Credentialing Program 
Policy Division (CG-CVC-4), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2357, 
or MMCPolicy@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing material in the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Viewing Documents

    The nine NVICs listed below are available in the docket and can be 
viewed by going to www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2014-0016 in the 
``Keyword'' box, and then clicking ``Search.''

Discussion

    On December 24, 2014, the Coast Guard published a Final Rule in the 
Federal Register (78 FR 77796) to implement the International 
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for 
Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention), including the 2010 amendments to the 
STCW Convention, and the Seafarers' Training, Certification and 
Watchkeeping Code. The final rule also made changes to reorganize, 
clarify, and update regulations for credentialing merchant mariners. In 
the future, the Coast Guard will issue additional NVICs to provide 
further guidance on the implementation of the new regulations regarding 
merchant mariner certificates and endorsements to MMCs. The nine NVICs 
listed below represent the first phase of this effort:
    1. Guidance on the Issuance of Medical Certificates (NVIC 01-14). 
This NVIC describes policy for the issuance of medical certificates to 
merchant mariners.
    2. Grandfathering and Transitional Provisions for Merchant Mariner 
Credentials (NVIC 02-14). This NVIC describes grandfathering and 
transitional provisions for MMCs.
    3. Guidelines for Approval of Training Courses and Programs (NVIC 
03-14). This NVIC describes policy for documentation, submission, and 
approval of merchant mariner training.
    4. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for 
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue 
Boats (NVIC 04-14). This NVIC describes policy for merchant mariners to 
qualify for and renew MMC endorsements for Proficiency in Survival 
Craft and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited.
    5. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for 
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (NVIC 05-14). This NVIC describes 
policy for merchant mariners to qualify for and renew MMC endorsements 
for Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats.
    6. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Rating 
Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (NVIC 06-14). This NVIC describes 
policy for merchant mariners to qualify for and renew MMC endorsements 
as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch.
    7. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Rating 
Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (NVIC 07-14). This NVIC describes 
policy for merchant mariners to qualify for and renew MMC endorsements 
as Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch.
    8. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Basic 
Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) (NVIC 08-14). This NVIC 
describes policy for merchant mariners to qualify for and renew 
endorsements to an MMC for Basic Training.
    9. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Advanced 
Firefighting (NVIC 09-14). This NVIC describes policy for merchant 
mariners to qualify for and renew MMC endorsements for Advanced 
Firefighting.
    Although all of these NVICs are important to the implementation of 
the new regulations, note that NVICs 01-14, 02-14, and 03-14 will be 
particularly helpful during the beginning of the transition to those 
regulations.

Authority

    This document is issued under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: January 29, 2014.
Jonathan C. Burton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director, Inspection & Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2014-04177 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
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