[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 231 (Monday, December 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 69064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26390]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0631]


Guidance: Change 3 to NVIC 19-14 Policy on Qualified Assessors

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of Change 3 to 
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 19-14 Policy on 
Qualified Assessors (QAs). This NVIC provides guidance to mariners 
concerning assessments of competence for STCW endorsements. This change 
notice revises NVIC 19-14 to indicate that until June 30, 2024, the 
Coast Guard will accept assessments of competence that are signed 
before January 1, 2024, by a person who is not a Coast Guard approved 
QA.

DATES: The policies announced in Change-3 to NVIC 19-14 are effective 
as of October 29, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this notice, search the 
docket number USCG-2021-0631 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, 
contact James Cavo, Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-
MMC-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1205; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Assessments of competence for STCW 
endorsements must be signed by a Coast Guard-approved QA in accordance 
with 46 CFR 11.301(a)(1)(i) and 12.601(b)(1)(i). QAs must be approved 
by the Coast Guard either individually or as part of a Coast Guard-
approved or accepted course or training program, as described in 
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 19-14 (Policy on 
Qualified Assessors).
    Current policy allows for the acceptance of STCW assessments, 
performed for and signed by an assessor not approved by the Coast 
Guard, until December 31, 2021. Such an assessor must meet the 
professional requirements in 46 CFR 10.405(a)(3) to determine 
competence for the specific endorsement.
    The Coast Guard is aware that as a result of the limited number of 
approved QAs, there may be a hardship on mariners trying to complete 
STCW assessments after December 31, 2021. In consideration of this, the 
Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an 
assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 19-14 until 
December 31, 2023. These assessments must be submitted to the Coast 
Guard as part of a complete application no later than June 30, 2024. 
Qualified military personnel need not be approved QAs and may continue 
to sign assessments after December 31, 2023.
    In addition, we will update the deadlines for QAs in other NVICs 
and guidance to reflect the new deadlines announced in CH-3 NVIC 19-14.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: October 29, 2021.
J.W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention 
Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021-26390 Filed 12-3-21; 8:45 am]
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