Jan. 5, 2025

National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee - Small MASS Intersessional Meeting

The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing is hosting an intersessional meeting of the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee Subcommittee on Operator of Remote-Controlled Survey Vessels of 65’ or less on January 27, 2025. The meeting will be held virtually, through Microsoft Teams. Pre-registration is not required for this meeting.

Dec. 23, 2024

Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers

On Nov 21st, 2024, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) finalized a helpful compliance resource, Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers, to assist shippers to safely package lithium cells and batteries for transport by all modes, including vessel shipments, with new regulatory requirements based on cell or battery configuration as well as Watt-hour (Wh) rating.

Dec. 23, 2024

Update to MSIB 13-23 — Coast Guard Policies to Address Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response on Vessels

The Coast Guard has published change 3 to MSIB 13-23 — Coast Guard Policies to Address Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response on Vessels. This update provides further clarity to the existing frequently asked questions from the public regarding changes to Title 46 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) to enhance vessel safety and address sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Dec. 22, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Releases Report of Investigation Regarding Fire, Total Constructive Loss of Passenger Vessel Spirit of Norfolk

The Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis (CG-INV) recently posted a Report of Investigation (ROI) to the Marine Casualty Reports (uscg.mil) website regarding the fire onboard the small passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk in Norfolk, VA, on June 7, 2022.

Dec. 18, 2024

Final Rule: Mariner Credentialing Program Transformation

The Coast Guard has issued a Final Rule updating the accepted payment method for required mariner credentialing fees, removing the requirement for prospective mariners to take an oath before an authorized official, and changes the format requirements for the Certificates of Discharge.