There are BIG CHANGES coming to the license endorsements in these sizes of vessels. Waivers for tug-boat and OSV licenses are going away soon. The Coast Guard issued a NPRM -Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in November 2009; this NPRM will make many license changes with the desire to make the merchant marine licenses and requirements comply with the IMO – International Maritime Organization rules.

The Coast Guard will allow you to renew your license but NOT upgrade without the OICNW endorsements after the new rules go into effect.

Some of the license changes will remove the 200 GRT and 500  GRT license categories. Licenses will go from 100 GRT to 1600 GRT and require you to have the OICNW endorsements.

OSV Captains and the new “OSV Chief Mate” will be hit twice, first with the need to be OICNW endorsed but ALSO “Management Level” …read “Chief Mate/Master training and assessments”.

OICNW merchant license endorsements will be required for most vessels over 100 GRT operating BEYOND THE DEMARCATION LINE. This means that the “Near Coastal” endorsement will go away, but a “Domestic voyage only” restriction is also in the works.

Captains and Mates will need formal training courses in each of the following topics:

• Terrestrial and Coastal NavigationCompasses Radar Observer
• Fire-fighting, Basic and Advanced
• ARPA – Automatic Radar Postioning Aids
• Electronic Navigation
• Celestial Navigation
• Basic Meteorology
• Basic Stability
• Cargo Handling and Stowage
• Medical First Aid Provider
• Basic Shiphandling
• Watchkeeping / Bridge Resource Management

Note: GMDSS is not required for your license, but may be needed if your ship is GMDSS equipped.

You will also need to complete Seventy-Eight (78) Assessments of Skill. Take a look at the NVIC links  at the bottom of the page for the Coast Guard official documents.  Most of the time the courses will include specific assessments, so make sure you get the complete list of courses and assessments for your use.

The OICNW training courses can be completed all at one time in about a six month period, or they can be spread out over a year or two.  Check with our advertisers on this site for OICNW courses in your area.

MarineDocuments.com recommends that you find out what rule changes are coming, educate yourself to the process and all the new requirements then let us help you build a personal training plan for you.

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Common Mistakes Mariners Make on their Application

• Did your Doctor sign the form and put his/her license number?
• Missing uncorrected vision (Section III)
• Uncorrected vision tested with corrective lenses (Section III)
• Missing pulse rate/rhythm (Section II)
• No response to medication section (Section VI)
• Missing field of vision (Section III)
• Hearing not marked as normal or impaired.
• Incomplete Applications Will Cause delays

Top Ten Reasons Why Your Application could be delayed

For complete list of Top Ten Reasons – click here

Physical Exam – If the Merchant Marine Personnel Physical Examination/Certification Report is not complete, it will be returned for correction. Particular attention is paid to the “competent”, “not competent”, and “needs further review” boxes, which are frequently blank. Often the type of color vision exam given in Section IV in not indicated or mariners who wear glasses and/or contacts submit exams without their uncorrected vision listed in Section III.

Medical Condition – Additional medical information is required whenever a medical condition is identified on the Merchant Marine Personnel Physical Examination Report.

Drug Screen – A drug screen is often rejected because it does not contain the Medical Review Officer’s (MRO) signature, it is a photocopy, or a company compliance letter is not written to meet the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, Part 16, Section 220.

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1. USCG Medical Exam Common Errors
2. Ten Reasons Coast Guard Licensing Applications are Delayed
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The new Coast Guard Medical Forms are needed after January 1st, 2010. You can review the forms and NVIC 04-08 instructions here .

Read our earlier report about the revised forms and general information.  It’s best to you educate yourself first so that you may assist your doctor in completing this form.  One little comment made incorrectly could create the NMC to scrutinize your medical form.   If this is not your regular doctor give him pertinent information about whatever medical problems that may be in issue.  After the examination and you have the report in hand review it.  Make sure its signed and all the areas are completed.  If a comment made by the doctor raises a red flag for you, then confront him for an explanation.  It’s best to solve any problems before the NMC reviews your Medical evaluation.

PRINT the NVIC Enclosure 3 for your Doctor! This part of the NVIC is for your Doctor!

The Coast Guard says most physicals are approved after full documentation and review. Very few are actually denied. We along with the Coast Guard NMC recommends that you renew EARLY if you have medical conditions to allow for a longer review process and let you work on current license without interuption.

Leave your comments here and we’ll research or give the Coast Guard a call the USCG NMC Toll-free at: 1-888-IASKNMC for the timelines they recommend.

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New Versions of Coast Guard Medical Forms Are Now Available

We have reviewed the new Coast Guard Medical Forms and can say without question they are much better than the older version. Finally, as promised the Coast Guard National Maritime Center has improved the new “Evaluation of Fitness”  forms that are required for every mariner.

Entry-Level Merchant Seaman
Ordinary Seaman, Wiper and Food Handler — are NOT required to complete a physical examination, but they must have the agility, strength and flexibility to complete shipboard tasks as described on the new CG Medical Form CG-719K-E.

The New Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings Form –  Download Here
The CG-719K-E form is only two pages long and can be completed by any Physician, Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner.

All Other Merchant Mariners
Applicants seeking an original, renewal or raise-in-grade credential are required to use the new CG-719K form. This CG medical form should be used by everyone EXCEPT the Ordinary Seaman, Wiper and Food Handler. Any physical completed on or after January 1st, 2010 must be on these new forms.

This new form Download Here better aligns with the Medical NVIC 04-08: Medical and  Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials — From this link you can also download a copy of the NVIC 04-08, enclosure 3 – for your doctors  to better document any issued that is noted on your form. NOTE: The better supporting documents from your doctor, the faster your examination is reviewed and approved by the Medical Branch of the USCG NMC.

This new CG medical form addresses Body Mass Index (BMI). This new requirement states that a person having over a 40% BMI to show their doctor … So if you are concerned about your BMI, get an unofficial BMI estimate at this website link.

Note: If the examining medical practitioner doubts the applicants ability to meet hte guidelines contained in the tables and ALL applicants with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40.0% or higher, the practitioner is required to  the applicant to DEMONSTRATE the ability to meet the guidelines, i.e. the medical practitioner may utilize alternative measures to satisfy himself or herself that the applicant possesses the ability to meet the guidelines in the third column. A description of the methods utilized by the medical practitioner should be reported in Section IX.

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Incorrect or improperly filled out medical forms are the number one mistake that stops most mariners in getting their documentation needed to proceed to the next level.  Review the form before you see your doctor so that you’re familiar with the layout.  Don’t leave until everything is filled out or you’ll be back after you get rejected by the NMC.  They are taking extra scrutiny with the medical forms because of the maritime accidents that have recently occurred.

There are errors that can delay your application for credentials or cause the application to be denied.

Common Mistakes Mariners Make on their Application

• Did your Doctor sign the form and put his/her license number?
• Missing uncorrected vision (Section III)
• Uncorrected vision tested with corrective lenses (Section III)
• Missing pulse rate/rhythm (Section II)
• No response to medication section (Section VI)
• Missing field of vision (Section III)
• Hearing not marked as normal or impaired.
• Incomplete Applications Will Cause delays

Top Ten Reasons Why Your Application could be delayed

For complete list of Top Ten Reasons – click here

Physical Exam – If the Merchant Marine Personnel Physical Examination/Certification Report is not complete, it will be returned for correction. Particular attention is paid to the “competent”, “not competent”, and “needs further review” boxes, which are frequently blank. Often the type of color vision exam given in Section IV in not indicated or mariners who wear glasses and/or contacts submit exams without their uncorrected vision listed in Section III.

Medical Condition – Additional medical information is required whenever a medical condition is identified on the Merchant Marine Personnel Physical Examination Report.

Drug Screen – A drug screen is often rejected because it does not contain the Medical Review Officer’s (MRO) signature, it is a photocopy, or a company compliance letter is not written to meet the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, Part 16, Section 220.

The following article was taken from the NMC site. For more info visit their site.

Related Posts

1. Merchant Marine Application Common Mistakes
2. USCG Medical Forms Revised
3. Don’t Let Medical Exams Run You Aground