The U.S. Coast Guard is providing temporary help to some merchant mariners whose credentials expired while waiting for their renewal applications to be processed at the National Maritime Center (NMC).
With this new policy, eligible mariners can get a temporary 120-day authorization to keep sailing with the national endorsements of their expired Merchant Mariner Credential while the NMC finishes processing their applications.
This relief is being offered as earlier temporary credential extensions are set to end on August 31, and the Coast Guard announced that these will not be extended further.
The NMC's new assistance targets mariners who applied for renewal before their credentials expired but couldn't finalize the process due to lengthy evaluation times.
To be eligible, a mariner must have an MMC with national endorsements that expired between January 1 and July 31, 2026; have submitted their renewal application before the expiration date and by August 25; and have an application flagged by the NMC for needing additional information or testing.
For qualifying applications, the NMC will issue a letter allowing the expired credential to remain valid for up to 120 days. Mariners must carry both their expired MMC and this authorization letter while sailing.
The authorization will be included with the NMC's request for additional information or a testing approval letter. It’s important to note that the 120-day authorization does not change any deadlines for submitting requested information, completing tests, or fulfilling other application requirements.
This relief applies only to national endorsements and does not extend to Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements or medical certificates.
The Coast Guard has made it clear that no further extensions or special relief will be provided once the 120-day authorization ends.
This measure is part of ongoing efforts to deal with the credentialing backlog that built up during the federal funding lapse in 2026, when normal NMC operations were halted, resulting in over 19,000 pending applications.
After normal operations resumed in May, the Coast Guard initially advised that mariners should expect processing times of eight to 12 months. However, by June, estimates improved to eight months and then to four months in July as the NMC implemented overtime, improved workflows, and redirected resources to tackle the backlog.
While application volumes are still high, the Coast Guard has indicated that processing times are improving.
The NMC will continue processing applications in the order they are received and encourages mariners to submit renewal applications well before they expire to allow time for any additional requirements to be met.
"Mariners should carefully read any communications from the NMC and quickly provide any requested information or complete required testing," the NMC stated.
Not completing the requirements for a pending renewal application will not lead to another temporary authorization.