U.S. Coast Guard Announces Launch of Electronic CG-719 Applications

Published Sep 20, 2007 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

Last month’s National Maritime Center (NMC) senior staff offsite meeting saw the discussion of various initiatives to improve mariner licensing and documentation. One of these projects was an effort to make available CG-719 application forms that can be downloaded from the Internet and filled out on a computer. The test version of CG-719 is now available. Industry representatives have been asked to assist in "testing" this form to ensure that it works.

As shown below, the Coast Guard’s efforts to restructure and centralize the Mariner Licensing and Documentation Program is now taking shape. Captain David Stalfort of the U.S. Coast Guard explains how:

• Application Form (CG-719B)

The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center is managing a project to centralize and restructure the Mariner Licensing and Documentation program. Our goals are to decrease credential processing time, improve customer service, and ensure consistency across the nation. In an effort to decrease credential processing time, we have made available an improved CG-719B Credential Application forms that can be downloaded from the Internet and filled out on a computer. This is the first step in our drive toward on-line applications.

A new version of the application form is available on our Homeport website, http://homeport.uscg.mil/, (from the homepage, select Missions > Merchant Mariners > Applications and Forms) and our Coast Guard website, http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/downloads.htm.

This version is the current application form with simple business rules embedded into it. The business rules will ensure that the application is completed with the required information before it is printed and submitted to the REC. Please note that the “check form” button (on the bottom of pages two and four) forces the form to check business rules and should prompt the user to add, correct or change information based on basic business rules.

Also after printing the application form, it still needs to be signed and dated, then submitted through a Regional Examination Center. The business rules will only work in Adobe Reader (vice Acrobat) so you will not be able to save the information after it is typed in.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact any member of my NMC-1 staff or your local Regional Examination Center. We thank you for challenging us to improve; we ask for your patience as we do.

Sincerely,

David C. Stalfort
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard
Commanding Officer
National Maritime Center

Note: other aspects of the program can found on the Coast guard Web site at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/web/NMCRCProjwebpagerevo1.htm