U.S. Coast Guard Extends Expiration Dates of Credentials for Mariners Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Published Aug 25, 2006 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

The US Coast Guard has issued a press release regarding the extension of the expiration dates of licenses, merchant mariners' documents and certificates of registry held by certain merchant mariners impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The August 21 announcement said that authority for the temporary relief measure was included in the Coast Guard Maritime and Transportation Act of 2006. The details of the unusual program are contained in the August 16, 2006 Federal Register.

The Coast Guard move applies to certain mariners holding any of the above credentials that have expired on or after Aug. 29, 2005, or will expire before April 1, 2007. The requirements are detailed below:

• Credentials are automatically extended for one year from the expiration date for mariners whose home of record is listed as Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana on their merchant mariner credentials. To serve under the authority of their existing credentials, these mariners must carry a copy of the Federal Register notice with their existing credentials.

• Credentials issued by Regional Examination Center New Orleans are automatically extended for one year from the date of expiration. To serve under the authority of their existing credentials, these mariners must carry a copy of the Federal Register notice with their existing credentials.

• Other mariners who believe their ability to renew their credentials in a timely manner has been adversely impacted by Hurricane Katrina should contact any regional examination center to establish their eligibility for an extension. Mariners who have lost or suffered damaged credentials due to Hurricane Katrina may apply to any regional examination center to receive a duplicate credential that will bear the same expiration date and information as the lost or damaged one.

The Coast Guard measure does not, because of international constraints, apply to STCW endorsements or certificates. These documents cannot be extended. Mariners who are holding a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document that is eligible for extension and an STCW endorsement certificate that has expired, or will expire, should apply for renewal of their STCW endorsement certificate at any regional examination center.

All mariners whose credentials are within one year of expiration are encouraged to submit renewal applications as early as possible. Mariners may contact any regional examination center with questions regarding these temporary measures, to obtain a copy of the Federal Register notice, or for any other assistance. The regional examination center locations and phone numbers are:

Anchorage, Alaska - (907) 271-6736
Baltimore - (410) 962-5132/5147
Boston - (617) 223-3040/41/42
Charleston, SC - (843) 720-3250 or (800) 826-1511
Guam - (671) 339-2001
Honolulu - (808) 522-8264
Houston - (713) 948-3350/51
Juneau, Alaska - (907) 463-2458
Los Angeles/Long Beach, Calif. - (562)-495-1307
Memphis, Tenn. - (901) 544-3297 or (866) 777-2784
Miami - (305) 536-6548/49/6874 or (800) 982-9374
New Orleans - (504) 846-6190
New York - (212) 668-7492/7864/4970/6395
Portland, Ore. - (503) 240-9346
Oakland, Calif. - (510) 637-1124
San Juan, Puerto Rico - (787) 729-2376
Seattle - (206) 220-7327
St. Louis - (314) 539-3091
Toledo, Ohio - (419) 418-6010