The initiative provides the maritime industry opportunity to comment on USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) STCW policy. As the NMC issues interpretive policy concerning the implementation of STCW 95, the industry will be offered the opportunity to comment on drafts of these policies before they are finalized. The Maritime Administration has agreed to summarize comments made within 48 hours after the draft policy letters are circulated. Please submit comments on draft policy letters to Mrs. Kim-Anh Rester, Voice: (202) 366-0364, Fax: (202 )366-3969, Email:
kim.rester@marad.dot.gov within 48 hours of receiving this e-mail (if possible). The short time frame is necessary if we are to provide timely advice to the USCG on these subjects. This is an excellent opportunity to vet new policies before they are issued.
[Click here] to go to the USCG Policy
Letter web site.
[Click
here] to view some of the progress made on the STCW issues, dated December 18, 2001.
Listed below are the draft policy letters,
consolidated comments and the resulting final policy letter:
1. Draft Concept #1 - Ltr to STCW-95
Conference attendees which was submitted by MITAGS
Industry Comments - Comments provided from MITAGS, REC Baltimore, and
MEBA Engineering School on mariners who have not qualified to complete STCW-95 Stop-Gap
Training by February 1, 2001
2. Draft Policy Letter #2 - Guidance
of Continuing Proficiency of Qualified Instructors Required by the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
Industry Comments - Reviewed and provided comments by MSC; Seabulk Offshore,
Ltd.; Massachusetts Maritime Academy; United States Merchant Marine Academy/GMATS-STCW
Implementation Committee; and MEBA Engineering School
3. Draft Policy Letter #3 - Guidance
of Evaluating of Applicants for Ocean or Near Coastal Mate License for Service on Vessels
of 500 or More Gross Tonnage (200 GRT) with Qualifying Service or Training Beginning on or
After August 1, 1998 Ref. STCW Amended 1978 and Title 46, CFR Part 10
Enclosure 1 - Qualification
for OIC of Navigational Watch on Vessels of 500 GT (200 GRT);
Enclosure 2 - Instruction for
the Assessment of Applicants for An Ocean or Near Coastal License as Mate;
Enclosure 3 - Record of
Completion of Practical Assessments;
Enclosure 4 - Performance
Standards for Assessments of Competence;
Enclosure 5 - Record of
Designated Examiners; and,
Enclosure 6 - Record of Sea
Service and Watchkeeping Experience
4. Draft Policy Letter #4 - Guidance
Information for Becoming a U.S. Coast Guard-Accepted Quality Standards System (QSS)
Organization
Industry Comments - Reviewed and provided comments by MITAGS on Proposed
Policies Guidance of The STCW QSS for Merchant Mariner Training Programs
5. Draft Policy Letter #5 -
Continuing Competency in Basic Safety Training (BST)
Industry Comments - Reviewed and provided comments by MITAGS; SUP-Andrew
Furuseth School of Seamanship; and CSX Lines Ltd., on proposed policies Continuing
Competency in BST
6. Draft Policy Letter #6 -
Exceptions to the Application of the International Convention on STCW to Seagoing Vessels
Industry Comments - Reviewed and provided comments by MITAGS and International
Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots on proposed policies of Exception to the
Application of the International Convention on STCW to Seagoing Vessels
7. Draft Policy Letter #7 -
Acceptance of Courses Completed Prior to the Implementation of The 1995 Amendments to the
International Convention on STCW
8. Draft Policy Letter #8 -
Background Information, Qualification as Assistant Engineer on Seagoing Vessels propelled
by machinery of 1,000 Horsepower (750 kW) or more, OICEW-Examination
Topics; and OICEU-Qualifying Requirements and Safety of Environmental Protection
9. Draft NMC Policy Letters #9--
NMC
Policy Letter No 12-01, dated 31 October 2001
- Continuing Competency in Basic Safety Training (BST)
NMC
Policy Letter No 13-01, dated 11 November 2001 - Continuing Proficiency of Qualified Instructors Teaching Courses Required
by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping
for Seafarers, 1978, as Amended (STCW)
NMC
Policy Letter No 14-01, dated 16 November 2001 - Exceptions to the Application of the International Convention on Standards
of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as Amended (STCW) to
Seagoing Vessels
10. Draft Policy Letter #10 - Applicants for
Ocean or Near Coastal Master and Chief Mate Licenses for Service On Vessels of 3,000GT or
More With Qualifying Service or Training Beginning On or After August 1, 1998, and All
Applicants Beginning February 1, 2002
Enclosure 1 - Qualification As a
Master or Chief Mate on Ships of 3,000GT or More
Enclosure 2 - Qualification As a Shipboard
Assessor and Assessing Applicants for an STCW-95 Certificate
Enclosure 3 - List of Assessment
Standard-Masters and Chief Mates on Ships of 500GT or More (ITC)
Enclosure 4 - Table A-II/2
Specification of Minimum Standard of Competence-Masters and Chief Mates
on Ships of 3,000GT or More
(ITC) - Control Sheets
Enclosure 5 - Alternative Scheme For
Mariners Who Apply After February 1, 2002
(Training, List of
Assessments, Advanced Stability, & Advanced Meteorology)
NMC
Policy Letter 04-02 (January 12, 2002)
11. Draft
Policy Letter #11 - STCW-95 Working Group - Meeting Notes Year to Date which was
submitted by MITAGS, dated December 13, 2001
12. NMC Policy Letter 16-01, dated December 7, 2001
- Merchant Marine Licensing Examination Question Comment and Protest
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
- Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction
Act Submissions
- CG-719K/E Rev 7/01 Test
(OMB-2115-0514)-Merchant Marine Certification of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings
- CG-719B (Rev 7/01 Test)-Application for
License as an Officer, Staff Ofcr., or Operator & for Merchant Mariner's Document
- CG-719S (Rev 7/01 Test)-Small Vessel Sea
Service Form
- CG-719P (Rev 7/01 Test)-SAMHSA Periodic Drug
Testing Form
- CG-719K (Rev 7/01 Test)-Merchant Marine
Physical Examination/Certification Report
13. Draft Policy Letter #13 - Administration of Examination
for Certain Deck and Engine Licenses Subject to The International Convention on Standards
of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended
(STCW)-Ref: (a) Title 46, CFR, Section 10.205(i); and (b) Section 10.910
Enclosure 1 - Exam Structure Sheet
No.1-1 (Exam Codes for various Licenses Type)
NMC Policy Letter 02-02
(January 11, 2002)
14. Participate in the Rulemaking
Process - Submit comments to the Public Docket on Notices and Proposed Rules published
in the Federal Register
15. Draft
Policy Letter #15 - Acceptance of Radar Observer (Unlimited) Courses to Satisfy
Requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, As Amended (STCW)
Table A-II/1
Specification of Minimum Standard of Competence - Control Sheets of Navigation at the Operational Level (Setup and Maintain;
Switch Display; Identify False Echoes, Sea Return, Racons and SARTs; Range and Bearing;
Risk of Collision; DRM, SRM, CPA, and TCPA; Speed and Course Changes of other Ships;
Change Course to Control Target DRM; Change Speed to control Target DRM; True Course and
Speed of Target Vessels; Parallel Indexing (Radar & ARPA); Target Data; and Parallel
Indexing (Maintain safe navigation and use of radar & ARPA).
NMC Policy Letter 03-02
(January 14, 2002)
16. Draft Policy Letter #16 - Processing Applications
for Licenses and Ratings Received Before 1 February 2002.
NMC
Policy Letter 06-02 (January 17, 2002)
17. Draft NMC Policy Letter #17 - Applicant for License as
Master Ocean or Near Coastal Valid for Service on Vessels of not More than 3,000 Gross
Tonnage (GT) (1,600 Gross Register Tons (GRT) with Qualifying Service or Training
Beginning on or after August 1, 1998, and All Applicants Beginning February 1, 2002.
Enclosure 1 - Qualification As A Master on Vessels of Not More Than
3,000 GT (1,600 GRT).
Enclosure
2 - Qualification As a Shipboard Assessor
and Assessing Applicants for An STCW-95 Certificate.
Enclosure
3 - List of Assessment Standards - Master
& Chief Mates on Ships of 500 GT or more ITC (STCW Competence; Knowledge,
Understanding & Proficiency; and Assessments).
Enclosure
4 - Table A-II/2-Specification of Minimum
Standard of Competence - Master & Chief Mates on Ships of 3,000 GT or More ITC
(Control Sheets).
Enclosure 5 - I. Alternate Scheme (From February 1, 2002 through
July 31, 2002) & II - Alternate Scheme (From August 2, 2002 through January 31, 2003).
18. Draft NMC Policy Letter - Qualifications for
Deck and Engineering Ratings
Enclosure
1 - Table 1-Assessments for RFPNW
Requirements
for Qualification as an RFPNW -
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for
Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), Regulation II/4
Enclosure
2 - Requirements for Qualification as an RFPEW
(a) International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended
(STCW), Regulation III/4
(b) COMDTINST M16000.8B Marine Safety Manual Volume III, Chapter 16
19. IMO-STCW.7/Circ.12, dated January 25, 2002 (Ref.
T2/4.1.5)
International
Convention on STCW-Advice for Port State Control Officers and Recognized Organizations
on Action to be
taken in cases where not all Seafarers Carry Certificates and Endorsements Meeting
STCW 95
Requirements After February 1, 2002
Press
Release Text - International
Convention on STDW for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, until August 1, 2002
U.S. Coast Guard-Office of
Compliance, Media Advisory - International Convention on STDW for Seafarers, 1978, as
amended, until August 1, 2002
The 1995 Amendments to the STCW
Convention will come into full effect on February 1, 2002.
Recent Press Release on the enforcement actions to be carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard
in light of the requirements contained in the 1995 amendments. If you have any
questions regarding this Press Release or enforcement actions in general you should
contact LTC Gerry Achenbach at gachenbach@comdt.uscg.mil
for U.S.-flagged vessels or LT Lindsay Dew at ldew@comdt.uscg.mil
for foreign vessels calling on U.S. ports.
20. NMC Information Bulletin -
Recent Actions Affecting Implementation of the STCW
21. Draft Policy Letter #21 - Qualifications for Deck
and Engineering Ratings
(a)
Regulations II/4 & III/4 of the International Convention on STCW
(b)
Title 46, Code of FR, Part 12
(c)
COMDTINST M16000.8B Marine Safety Manual, Volume III
Enclosure 1 - Requirements for Qualification as an
RFPNW
1A (RFPNW-1-1-A) - Record of Completion of Practical Assessments-Rating
Forming Part of a Navigational Watch
1B (RFPNW-1-1-A) - Assessment of
Completion-Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch
Enclosure 2 - Requirements for Qualifications as an
RFPEW
(a)
International Convention on STCW for Seafarers, 1978, as amended,
Regulation III/4
(b)
COMDTINST M16000.8B Marine Safety Manual Volume III, Chapter 16
2A - Record of Completion of Practical
Assessments-Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (Attachment A)
2B - Assessment of
Competence-Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch - Control Sheet (Attachment B)
2C - STCW 95 Rating
Forming Part of an Engineering Watch after February 1, 2002
22. NMC Draft Policy Letter - Validity of Licenses
for Service on Vessels of not more than 200 GRT Valid for Service on Oceans
23. Draft NMC Policy Letter - Applicants for Assistant
Engineer (AE) or Designated Duty Engineer Licenses for Service on Seagoing Vessels of
1,000 HP or Moore. Submit your comments on Draft NMC Policy Letter #23 to Ms.
Brandi Jones, Voice: (443) 989-3237, Fax: (410) 859-5181, E-mail: BJones@MITAGS.org by April 9, 2002.
24. Draft NMC Policy
Letter XX-02 - Electronic Submission of Requests for Course Approval-Navigation &
Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 5-95
- Enclosure 1-Electronic Submission of Course
Approval Requests
- Enclosure 2-Request for Course Approval -
80-hour Advanced Navigation Course
25. Draft NMC Policy Letter - Endorsements on a
Merchant Mariners Document (MMD) Issues to A Licensed Officer
26. Draft NMC Policy Letter
- Conducting Assessments of Skills to Satisfy Requests of the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafers, 1978, as Amended
(STCW) as Part of Coast Guard Approved Courses
- Instructions for Conducting Assessments of
Competence in Conjunction wiht USCG Approved Courses
- Student Assessment Summary (Landlocked Marine
Training School - 5-Day Radar Observer (Unlimited)
NMC Policy Letter 12-02
(July 16, 2002)
27. Draft NMC Policy Letter #27 - Verification of Identity of
Students in Coast Guard Approved Courses
28. Draft NMC Policy #28 - Change 1 to NMC Policy Letter 01-02
(see Draft Policy Number #3 above)
Assessment
of Competence-Officer in Charge of A Navigation Watch (OICNW-2-3-C)
29. Draft NMC Policy Letter #29 - Evaluation of Sea Service on
Vessels of Less Than 3,000 GT (Tonnage Measured Under the International Tonnage Scheme)
30. Change 1 to NMC Policy Letter 04-02 - Applicants for
Ocean or Near Coastal Master or Chief Mates Licenses for Service on Vessels of 3,000 GT or
More With Qualifying Service or Training Beginning on or after August 1, 1998 and All
Applicants Beginning February 1, 2002
Please submit your comments of Change 1 to
NMC Policy Letter 04-02 by Friday, August 8, 2002, to Ms. Brandi
Jones, Voice: (443) 989-3237, Fax: (410) 859-5181, E-mail: BJones@MITAGS.org.
31. Draft NMC Policy Letter #31 - Qualification To
Serve As A Deck Officer On Vessels Of Not More Than 200 GRT (500 GT) On Near Coastal,
Foreign Voyages
Industry
Comments-Draft NMC Policy Letter #31 -
Reviewed and provided comments by CAPT Guy R.A. Sorensen, Chesapeake Marine Training
Institute, Inc., and Mr. Gregg Trunnel, Pacific Maritime Institute.
Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
Policy Letter #31 by Friday, October 18, 2002, to Ms. Brandi
Jones, Voice: (443) 989-3237, Fax: (410) 859-5181, or by e-mail: BJones@MITAGS.org.
32. Draft NMC Policy Letter
#32 - Processing Applications for Mariners'
Credentials for Service on Seagoing Vessels Beginning 1 February 2003
- Enclosure - Decision Table for Processing Applications for
Renewal
- Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
Policy Letter #32 by Friday, November 8, 2002, to Ms. Brandi
Jones, Voice: (443) 989-3237, Fax: (410) 859-5181, or by e-mail: BJones@MITAGS.org.
- Comments to Draft
NMC Policy #32--
Kenneth B. Parris, Dir. of Regulator Affairs, Offshore Marine Service Association
(Harahan, LA);
Amy Greenspan, Training Coordinator, Maritime Professional Training (Ft.
Lauderdale, FL);
CAPT John Scragg, Instructor, Pacific Maritime Institute (Seattle, Washington);
&
Glen Paine, Executive Dir., MITAGS (Linthicum, MD)
33. Draft NMC Policy Letter #33 - Demonstrations of
Competence in Visual Communications (Flashing Light) with Enclosure 1-Recommendations
for Visual Communications (Flashing Light) Courses
- Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
Policy #33 by Monday, November 11, 2002, to Ms. Brandi Jones, Voice:
(443) 989-3237, Fax: (410) 859-5181, or by e-mail: BJones@MITAGS.org.
- Comments to Draft
NMC Policy #33--
CAPT Frank Lee, Dir. of Training and Development, Polar Tankers, Inc. (Long
Beach, CA);
CAPT Dean W. Kutz, Dir. of Safety & Environmental Compliance Designated Person,
Sabine Transportation (Cedar Rapids, IL);
Patrick J. Bush, Thomas Miller (Americas) Inc. (Jersey City, NJ)
CAPT John Keever, Vice President-Marine Programs, California Maritime Academy
(Vallejo, CA)
34. Draft NMC Policy Letter #34 -
Establishing Continued Professional Competence for Renewal of STCW Deck Certifications
with Enclosure 1-Alternate Schemes for Establishing Continued Professional Competence for
Renewal of STCW Deck Certifications
- Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
Policy #34 by Monday, April 28, 2003, to Ms. Brandi Jones, Voice: (443)
989-3237, Fax: (410) 859-5181, or by email BJones@mitags.org.
- Comments #34
35. Draft NMC Policy Letter #35 - Tonnage
Limitations for Pilots' Licenses
- Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
Policy #35 by Wednesday, January 14, 2004, to Mrs. Kim-Anh
Rester, Voice: (202) 366-0364, Fax: (202) 366-3969, or by email at kim.rester@marad.dot.gov.
Attachment
A - Tables for Determining Tonnage Limitations-Original Pilot's License
Attachment B - Tables for Determining Tonnage Limitations-Pilotage Endorsement
Enclosure 1 - Recommendations
for Tonnage Limitations on Pilots' Licenses
Comments provided to Draft NMC Policy #35--
Mr. Kenneth B. Parris, Vice President; Offshore Marine Service Association; (504)
734-7622
CAPT Earl McMillin; Canaveral Pilots
Mr. Bill Parry, Director of Afloat Training-MSCPac /NFAF West, Office: 619-553-8801
Mr. Mike Bohman, Horizon Lines, LLC, Phone: 908-259-2803
36. Draft NMC Policy Letter #36 - Application of the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) to U.S. Vessels Entering Canadian Waters
Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
Policy #36 by Wednesday, January 28, 2004, to Mrs. Kim-Anh
Rester, Voice: (202) 366-0364, Fax: (202) 366-3969, or by email at kim.rester@marad.dot.gov.
37. Draft NMC NVIC Cicular Letter #37 - Navigation and
Vessel Inspection Circular No-Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner's
Documents and Licencies
Enclosure 1-Examination Standards
Enclosure
2-Physical Standards
Enclosure
3-Medical Conditions
Enclosure
4-Procedures for Processing Physical Waiver Requests
Please submit your comments to the Draft NMC
NVIC Circular Letter #37 by Friday, February 27, 2004, to
Mrs. Kim-Anh Rester, Voice: (202) 366-0364, Fax: (202) 366-3969, or by
email at kim.rester@marad.dot.gov
Reviewed with comments on the NMC NVIC
Circular letter #37, provided by:
CW2 Michael
W. Carr, US Army Reserve, 949th TC (Floating Craft), Faculty, Maine Maritime
Academy
Mr. Bernard K. Feinman, O.D.
Mr. Jim Clements, MITAGS
Mr. Constance Anderson, President & Mr.
Mark Kelly, VP-Operations, Anderson-Kelly Associates, Inc.
Mr. J. Scott Rainey, Deputy Director, American
Pilots' Association
Mr. Archie Morgan, Sr. Manager Labor Relations,
Training & Marine Resources, Patriot Companies/American Ship Management, LLC
CAPT Earl McMillin, Canaveral Pilots
Mr. Dave Connolly, Vice-President, Sailors' Union of
the Pacific (SUP)
Enclosure
1-Comments NMC NVIC Circular Letter #37
Enclosure 2-Comments NMC NVIC Circular
Letter #37
Enclosure 3-Comments NMC NVIC Circular
Letter #37
Enclosure 4-Comments NMC NVIC Circular
Letter #37
Consolidated
Comments NVIC Circular letter #37
For the latest information on STCW
and Licensing, please visit the USCG web site at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.
Points of contact for this policy letter
review initiative are as follows:
Captain Ernie Fink, USCG-NMC
Todd Ripley, MARAD/SOCP
Kim-Anh Rester, MARAD
STCW Policy