Expired USCG Credentials

The National Maritime Center issued Policy Letter 01-24 today (April 26, 2024) authorizing a “temporary” extension of the administrative grace period for Merchant Mariner Credentialing Transactions. A merchant mariner credential is valid for five (5) years. In the past, there was a one-year grace period beyond that five years of validity during which a mariner could renew his or her credential without having to retake the entire examination. That grace period has now been extended to six (6) years beyond the license’s expiration. While within that window a mariner can renew by meeting the standard renewal requirements, including, if the mariner does not have 360 days of service in the five years of the license’s validity, an OPEN book renewal exam.

“Temporary” has not been defined so it is our recommendation that affected mariners whose credentials expired within the last six years, take advantage of this option soon. Remember too that the “open book” examination is just that: NMC will send the mariner one or more examinations that can be completed in a library, in the living room, or on a sun deck while lazing next to the pool.

Do take advantage of this option, and should you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us @ info@crawfordnautical.org.