The federal government shutdown, now approaching its fifth week, has forced the U.S. Coast Guard to issue critical mitigation measures, extending the validity of various mariner documents to prevent a major disruption to the labor supply and commercial operations of the domestic fleet. The National Maritime Center (NMC), the centralized credentialing authority, remains closed.
Extended Deadlines for Mariners
The latest guidance, Update #3, provides critical relief for mariners whose documents are set to expire during the shutdown period:
- Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs) and Medical Certificates: Those with National Endorsements that expire in October and November 2025 remain valid until January 31, 2026. Mariners must carry both the expired document and a copy of the Coast Guard’s extension letter while sailing.
- Training and Testing Approvals: Approval to Test Letters and Mariner Training Course Completion Certificates expiring in October and November 2025 are also extended until January 31, 2026.
- Examiner Certifications:
- Qualified Assessor and Designated Examiner certifications expiring October 31, 2025, are valid through February 28, 2026.
- Those expiring November 30, 2025, are extended to March 31, 2026.
- Retest Periods: The 90-day retest periods have been paused since October 1 and will only restart once NMC operations resume.
Impact of NMC Closure
The closure of the NMC, along with all Regional Examination Centers (RECs), prevents essential maritime operations from functioning normally:
- Suspended Services: Customer walk-in service is suspended, and examinations are cancelled as long as the shutdown continues.
- Operational Stoppage: Without the NMC operating, mariners cannot renew, upgrade, or test, directly impacting the labor supply, vessel manning, and commercial operations across the domestic fleet.
- Essential Role: The NMC’s role is critical for vetting mariners and supporting the Marine Transportation System. In the previous fiscal year (2024), the NMC processed nearly 75,000$ credential requests and 66,000$ medical certificate applications.
- Application Workaround: While application processing is halted, the email submission of applications remains active, though processing will only resume once federal appropriations are restored.
The ongoing shutdown, which began after the previous continuing resolution expired on October 1, is on track to become the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 35-day record.
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Source: gCaptain
