USCG extends credential deadline

Because of the 16-day partial U.S. government shutdown in early October, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that mariners whose credentials expire between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 will receive an extension until Dec. 31.

The Coast Guard could not process mariner credentials during the shutdown. Any mariner affected should visit the National Maritime Center’s website www.uscg.mil/nmc to print the letter granting this extension.

The Coast Guard will issue a new credential for mariners that might sail on international routes. Those mariners whose credential expires between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2013, and scheduled to sail internationally should contact the National Maritime Center at 1-888-427-5662, by e-mail at iasknmc@uscg.mil or from abroad at +1 304-433-3400.