Marine Exchange of Alaska
News Archives from 2-12-09 to 3-16-09New Merchant Marine Credential . . . 03/16/2009
NEW MERCHANT MARINE CREDENTIAL Final Rule Merchant
Marine Credential Alaska Arctic Pilotage Proposed . . . 02/20/2009 The Alaska Board of Marine Pilots issued a second supplemental notice of proposed changes to the state pilotage regulations. These proposed changes, like the earlier versions, would extend the compulsory pilotage requirement in Arctic waters well outside the three-mile territorial waters of Alaska . Comments on the proposal should be submitted by March 27. Complete details can be found at the link below. MARINE BOARD OF PILOTAGE PROPOSED RULES Proposed Rule for Marine Pilotage Requirements TWIC Temporary Equivalent Approved . . . - 02/12/2009 The US Coast Guard issued a policy statement regarding a limited equivalent security measure for truck drivers with a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on their commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a Fast and Secure Trade (FAST) card. As a result of the backlog created by the October 2008 power outage at the facility housing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, pickup and activation of TWICs for numerous truck drivers have been delayed. This policy statement, which is effective through April 15, provides for a limited equivalent security measure for truck drivers in this situation. TWIC Policy 04-09 (2/10/09). LIMITED EQUIVALENT SECURITY MEASURE Firefighting and Salvage Final Rule . . . - 02/12/2009
MARINE FIREFIGHTING AND SALVAGE REQUIREMENTS Final Rule Marine Firefighting and Salvage Response Plan Requirements |
On
March 16, 2009, the Coast Guard issued a final rule for the issuance
of the new Merchant Marine Credential (MMC) which is a document which
combines the old USCG license, USCG Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD),
the old Certificate of Registry (COR) and STCW Endorsement into one
document or credential. The Coast Guard's final rule takes effect on
15 April 2009. These new documents have some advantages for the mariner.
One advantage is that there is just one fee for the credential instead
of paying individual fees for each of the components of the credential.
Another advantage is that the security checks that go with the credential
are harmonized with the fact that merchant mariners are all required
to hold Transport Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC cards).
This means that merchant mariners are going to be able to apply to
renew these credentials by mail and receive them by mail without the
necessity of visiting a Regional Examination Center (REC). The complete
text of the final rule is available at the link below. A sample credential
is also available at the link below. If you have questions on the new
Merchant Marine Credentials you should address them to the nearest
Regional Examination Center. A letter from the National Maritime Center
describing the new credential is also provided for your information.
Alas, this rulemaking signals the passing of the old Coast Guard License
to U.S. Merchant Marine Officer which the Coast Guard has issued for
the past sixty seven years. For one last look see the link below. 
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The U.S. Coast Guard's final rule for vessel response plans for Salvage
and Marine Firefighting for tank vessels carrying oil took effect on
30 January 2009. These rules are located in 33 CFR Part 155. These
rules clarify the salvage and marine firefighting services that must
be identified in vessel response plans and set new response time requirements
for each of the required salvage and marine fire fighting services.
The changes are designed to ensure that the appropriate salvage and
marine firefighting resources are identified and available for responding
to incidents up to and including the worst case discharge scenario.
A copy of the final rule and Federal Register Notice is included at
the link below.
