USCG Headquarters MSIB 08-20

Novel Coronovirus – Mariner Credentials

Extension of Merchant Mariner Credential Endorsements and Medical Certificates

This MSIB provides guidance concerning mariner credentials and medical certificates and the action being
taken by the Coast Guard due to the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19). We are doing
this in keeping with national guidance to meet the challenge of this disease and in response to a number of
questions and concerns raised by the maritime industry and mariners.

The Coast Guard has also been consulting with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other
administrations to ensure alignment with respect to the extension of endorsements issued in accordance with the
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended
(STCW). We are taking a pragmatic approach consistent with the IMO Secretary General’s circular Letter
No.4204/Add.5 dated 17 March, 2020.

To mitigate the impact to the seafarers and the industry caused by the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19, the
Coast Guard is taking the following actions:

 Regional Exam Centers and Monitoring Units. Regional Examination Centers and Monitoring Units will be
closed until further notice effective immediately. Mariners may cancel or reschedule any REC appointment
by contacting NMC’s Customer Service Center at 1-888-IASKNMC, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or
through the NMC online chat system. This includes appointments for application submission, payment of
fees associated with an application, or appointments for examinations.

 National Endorsements: Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) and Medical Certificates (National
Endorsements only) that expired between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 are extended until 31 October
2020. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry
the expired credential with a copy of this notice.

 STCW Endorsements: MMCs with STCW endorsements that expired between March 1, 2020 and July 31,
2020 are extended until 31 October 2020. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that
meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential with a copy of this notice.

 STCW Medical Certificates: STCW Medical Certificates are valid for 3 months from the expiration date in
accordance with STCW Regulation I/9. Mariners who are actively working on expired medical certificate
that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired certificate with a copy of this notice.

 Additional administrative measures: The following items that expire in between March 1, 2020 and July 31,
2020 are extended until October 31, 2020: Additional Information (AI) letters, Qualified Assessor (QA)
letters, Designated Examiner (DE) letters, Proctor approval letters, Approval to Test (ATT) letters, and
mariner training course certificates.

 Pilot Annual Physical examinations. 46 USC 7101(e)(3) requires that pilots undergo an annual physical
examination each year while holding a credential. The Coast Guard does not intend to enforce this
requirement given the current national emergency and the lack of medical care. This measure ONLY
relaxes the requirement for an annual physical and not the actual medical standards.

The National Maritime Center (NMC) will be issuing additional guidance on the MMC extensions and other
administrative measures and will be posted on its website:https://www.dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center//.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC
online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Richard Timme, RDML, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy sends.