[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 229 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62800-62801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28718]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[USCG-2009-0937]


Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Report (CG-719 K) 
and the Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings 
(CG-719 K/E)

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of 
the final version of the Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation 
Report (CG-719 K) and the Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for 
Entry Level Ratings (CG-719 K/E) forms. These forms will be used to 
facilitate obtaining objective medical information, which will assist 
the Coast Guard in making

[[Page 62801]]

accurate and timely fit-for-duty determinations in order to reduce 
maritime safety risks.

DATES: The forms became available for use by November 15, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Coast Guard Forms CG-719 K and CG-719 K/E are available on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov, under this docket number 
[USCG-2009-0937]. They will also be made permanently available on the 
Coast Guard National Maritime Center's (NMC) internet Web site at: 
http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.
    The Department of Transportation Docket Management Facility 
maintains the public docket for this notice. All forms mentioned in 
this Notice are part of this docket and are available for inspection or 
copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find this 
docket on the Internet by going to http://www.regulations.gov, 
inserting ``USCG-2009-0937'' in the ``Keyword'' box, and then clicking 
``Search.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this notice of 
availability, e-mail or call LT(jg) Dylan McCall (CG-5434) at U.S. 
Coast Guard Headquarters, 202-372-1128, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    For questions on the use of these forms, please contact the NMC by 
e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 1-888-IASKNMC [427-5662].
    For questions on viewing the docket, contact Renee V. Wright, 
Program Manager, Docket Operations, Office of Information Services, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, Office of the 
Secretary, at M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; telephone: 202-366-9826; e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background and Purpose

    The Coast Guard has revised the Merchant Mariner Credential Medical 
Evaluation Report (CG-719 K) and the Merchant Mariner Evaluation of 
Fitness for Entry Level Ratings (CG-719 K/E) forms and announces their 
availability to the public. These forms are used to facilitate 
obtaining objective medical information, which will assist the Coast 
Guard in making accurate and timely fit-for-duty determinations in 
order to reduce maritime safety risks. Please note that these versions 
of the forms have been approved for use by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 1625-0040.
    The CG-719 K/E form should be used only by mariners seeking an 
entry level merchant mariner credential. This form is limited to 
applicants for the following rating endorsements: Ordinary Seaman, 
Wiper, or Steward's Department (food handler). The CG-719K form should 
be used for all other endorsement applications.
    These forms more clearly align the merchant mariner credentialing 
process with the policies set forth by Navigation and Vessel Inspection 
Circular (NVIC) 04-08, Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for 
Merchant Mariner Credentials. (The NVIC is available for viewing at 
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/2000s.asp#2008.) Enclosure (3) to the 
NVIC provides guidance on use of the forms, which assist the Coast 
Guard in obtaining objective medical evidence of an applicant's 
physical condition as it relates to their ability to perform duties as 
a merchant mariner. Proper use of these forms as guided by NVIC 04-08 
should lead to reduced processing times for mariners' applications.

Implementation Timeline

    These forms are available at the NMC Web site (see ADDRESSES 
above). The Coast Guard is working to create both a printable user 
guide and to embed instructions in the electronic version of the form 
in order to assist both the mariner and physicians in completing the 
forms.
    The forms are now available for use. Physical exams completed on or 
after January 1, 2010 must be on the new forms, Rev (01/09). Physical 
exams completed and signed prior to January 1, 2010, will continue to 
be accepted with applications submitted after that date; however, they 
must be dated within one year of application.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: November 24, 2009.
K. S. Cook,
Rear Admiral, United States Coast Guard, Director of Prevention Policy.
[FR Doc. E9-28718 Filed 11-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P