[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24869]



[[Page 63547]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Parts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0016]


Policy Implementing the Standards of Training, Certification, and 
Watchkeeping

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of five Navigation 
and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs), which are the third 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).

DATES: These NVICs are effective on October 24, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notice, call or email Luke B. Harden, Mariner Credentialing Program 
Policy Division (CG-CVC-4), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2357, 
or [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing material in the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Viewing Documents

    The five NVICs listed below are available and can be viewed by 
going to http://www.uscg.mil/nmc and clicking on ``STCW Rule 
Information,'' then click on ``STCW Rule NVICs.''

Discussion

    On December 24, 2014, the Coast Guard published a Final Rule in the 
Federal Register (78 FR 77796) amending Title 46, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to implement the International Convention on Standards of 
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended 1978 
(STCW Convention), including the 2010 amendments to the STCW 
Convention, and the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 
Code. The final rule also made changes to reorganize, clarify, and 
update regulations for credentialing merchant mariners. In the future, 
the Coast Guard will issue additional NVICs to provide further guidance 
on the implementation of the new regulations regarding endorsements to 
Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs). The five NVICs listed below 
represent the third phase of this effort:
    1. Guidelines for Qualification for High-Speed Craft Type-Rating 
Endorsements (NVIC 20-14). This NVIC describes policy for merchant 
mariners to qualify for and renew endorsements for service on vessels 
designed and operated in accordance with the International Code of 
Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000.
    2. Guidelines on Qualification for Endorsements for Vessel Security 
Officers, Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties, and 
Security Awareness (NVIC 21-14). This NVIC describes policy for 
merchant mariners to qualify for and renew STCW endorsements for Vessel 
Security Officers, Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties, 
and for Security Awareness.
    3. Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements for Officers 
and Ratings on Oil, Chemical, and Liquefied Gas Tank Vessels (NVIC 22-
14). This NVIC describes policy for merchant mariners to qualify for 
and renew STCW endorsements for service on tank vessels.
    4. Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-
Technical Officer on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 
750 kW/1,000 HP or More (NVIC 23-14). This NVIC describes policy for 
merchant mariners to qualify for and renew endorsements as Electro-
Technical Officer on vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of 
750 kW/1,000 HP or more.
    5. Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-
Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 
kW/1,000 HP or More(NVIC 24-14). This NVIC describes policy for 
merchant mariners to qualify for and renew endorsements as Electro-
Technical Rating on vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 
kW/1,000 HP or more.

Authority

    This notice is issued under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: October 10, 2014.
J.C. Burton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director, Inspection & Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2014-24869 Filed 10-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P