In a major win for maritime professionals, the U.S. Coast Guard has extended the sea service recency period for all national officer endorsements from three years to seven years, effective immediately.
The change, announced in a Sept. 12 policy letter from the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing, is a common-sense reform that removes a significant barrier to career advancement and helps retain experienced mariners. This move aligns the requirement for all mariners with the seven-year period previously allowed for members of the uniformed services, creating a single, fair standard.
This policy is a direct result of the administration's push to make federal rules that support, rather than hinder, American industry and is a decisive step in strengthening the U.S. maritime sector.
For years, the three-year "use-it-or-lose-it" look-back period penalized mariners with valid, but older, sea time. This disproportionately affected two key groups: experienced mariners who transitioned to critical shoreside roles and academy graduates pursuing diverse career paths.
Under the old rule, a port captain with decades of experience might be blocked from upgrading their license because their sea time was more than three years old. Similarly, an unlimited tonnage mate working in a shoreside capacity for a towing company would face a major hurdle if they decided to add a Mate of Towing endorsement to their credential. They would have been forced to go back to sea simply to meet the recency clock, despite their extensive knowledge.
The new seven-year period solves this problem. It acknowledges that valuable experience doesn't expire after 36 months and gives maritime professionals the flexibility to advance their careers without being forced to take redundant voyages.
Mariners who may have been previously denied an endorsement for failing to meet the three-year requirement are now encouraged to re-apply if they meet the new seven-year standard.
This reform is precisely the kind of practical, impactful change that helps the U.S. maritime industry retain its most skilled and experienced personnel, ensuring the sector remains strong and competitive.
