The Coast Guard has announced the availability of nine Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs). They are the first set of a series of NVICs to implement the final rule that aligned Coast Guard regulations with amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and made changes to national endorsements. These NVICs will provide guidance to mariners concerning new regulations governing merchant mariner certificates and endorsements to Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC). The NVICs took effect on Feb. 26.
In the future, the Coast Guard will issue additional NVICs to provide further guidance on the implementation of the new regulations regarding merchant mariner certificates and endorsements to MMCs. The nine NVICs listed below represent the first phase of this effort:
1. Guidance on the Issuance of Medical Certificates (NVIC 01–14).
2. Grandfathering and Transitional Provisions for Merchant Mariner Credentials (NVIC 02–14).
3. Guidelines for Approval of Training Courses and Programs (NVIC 03–14).
4. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue Boats (NVIC 04–14).
5. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (NVIC 05–14).
6. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (NVIC 06–14).
7. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (NVIC 07–14).
8. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) (NVIC 08–14).
9. Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Advanced Firefighting (NVIC 09–14).
Download pdfs of the STCW NVICs here.
