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A significant number of original and renewal requests for qualification as a qualified assessor (QA) or designated examiner (DE) require additional information before the National Maritime Center (NMC) can process them.  46 CFR 10.405 and Navigation Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVIC) 19-14 and 03-16 provide the regulatory requirements and Coast Guard policy regarding qualification as a QA or DE.  Additional process information is located on the Training and Assessment page of the NMC website.  Requests for qualification as a QA or DE should be submitted in accordance with the instructions on the website, not with an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential.  Below is a list of information commonly missing from requests:

Original:

• Documentation of training or experience in assessment techniques (course completion certificates, professional certifications, performance evaluations, etc.).
• Qualification in the tasks requested (e.g., documentation provided indicates service on passenger vessels, when the request includes assessment of cargo handling tasks).
• Records of sea service should include vessel names and document numbers, days, position served, tonnage and/or horsepower, and route.
• Proof of having attained the level of experience to assess others.  The NVICs outline the level of experience the Coast Guard considers necessary to meet the regulatory requirement.  For DEs this is generally 1 year of experience serving as a Master of Towing Vessel on the route requested.

Renewal:

• Evidence of training, instruction, and/or experience in assessment techniques in the last 5 years.  If a QA or DE actively assessed others during the previous 5 years, provide evidence of those ongoing assessments (records of assessment, company statements, etc.).  Companies should provide positive statements clearly indicating ongoing assessment of others during the previous 5 years.  If the QA or DE has not been actively assessing others, provide proof in the form of course completion certificates or other records of having received training in assessment techniques during the previous 5 years.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, contact the NMC Customer Service Center by
e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Sincerely,

/B. W. Clare/

Bradley W. Clare
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Commanding Officer

• qa_de_qualification_requests_012722.pdf

San Diego, CA – Training Resources Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) of San Diego, CA and BoatUS
Foundation announced today that they will be collaborating to offer courses to recreational boaters in the Western
U.S.

TRLMI’s BoaterU^TM program together with the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water
are offering an easy way to try out recreational powerboating. The collaboration will start with four courses from
the National Safe Boating Council’s on-the-water boat handling curriculum, including: Introduction to
Powerboating; Precision Docking & Boat Handling; Open-Water Boat Handling; and Open-Water Advanced
Maneuvering. Classes are expected to start in January. Course details and signup can be found at
www.boatus.org/sandiego.

Taught aboard TRLMI’s twin engine training boat, each 3-hour course is priced at $175.00 and will initially be offered
at TRLMI’s location in San Diego, CA. Class size is limited to four students per vessel, ensuring each student gets
sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain. The minimum age to
participate is 16 years old, and training follows COVID safety protocols. Early registration is encouraged and there
is a three person minimum for courses.

BoatUS members will also have access to other courses in the BoaterU^TM program, including Boating Skills &
Seamanship, Diesel Engine Maintenance, Outboard Engine Maintenance, and Marine Electrical Systems. Additional
courses will be added in 2022, including Marine Electronics, Marine Weather, and Basic Celestial.

3980 Sherman Street, Suite 100. San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 263-1638
www.TRLMI.com

According to Dave Abrams, CEO of TRLMI, “We are excited to partner with BoatUS Foundation to offer boaters great
training options for increasing their skills and becoming safer on the water. BoatUS Foundation is a recognized
leader in the development and promotion of boating safety programs, and we are thrilled that they have chosen us
to be their training partner”

Alan Dennison, Program Supervisor for BoatUS Foundation added “TRLMI has been operating their BoaterU^TM
program for boaters in San Diego with great success, so it seemed natural to partner with them to offer our training
options on the West Coast. We expect to grow this program significantly in the years ahead.”
—
About TRLMI
Training Resources Limited, Inc, DBA Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) in the largest privately held provider of maritime
training in the Western United States. The company’s main campus in San Diego is an 18,000 square foot facility
with 14 classrooms, bridge & engine room simulators, and many “hands on” training aids. TRLMI has over 80
approved US Coast Guard and US Navy courses. The company started their BoaterU^TM Program in 2019 to expand
the use of their facilities and instructional staff to support recreational mariners. For more information, please visit
www.TRLMI.com and www.boateru.com or contact Dave Abrams, CEO at 619-263-1638.

About the BoatUS Foundation
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is an innovative leader promoting safe, clean and
responsible boating. The Foundation provides educational outreach directly to boaters and supports partner
organizations nationwide. With millions of boaters on the water, their aim is to reduce accidents and fatalities,
increase stewardship of our waterways and keep boating a safe and enjoyable pastime. The BoatUS Foundation is
a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their work is primarily funded by grants an

San Diego, CA (October 14, 2021) – Training Resources Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) of San Diego, CA and Orange Coast College’s Waterfront Campus announced today that they will be collaborating to offer professional mariner training at the new OCC Professional Mariner Training Center in Newport Beach.

According to Dave Abrams, CEO of TRLMI, “OCC has built a first class facility for mariners in Orange County, and we are thrilled to help them deliver an expanded range of USCG certified courses to support the local maritime community.”   TRLMI will provide curriculum and certified instructors to teach a range of courses at the new OCC Mariner Training Center starting in January 2022.     

 Sarah Hirsch, Director of the new Maritime Center added “We have been working with the team at TRLMI to support some of our current course offerings, so it seemed  natural to partner with them to expand our training opportunities for local mariners.  TRLMI has an outstanding reputation in the maritime community.”

—

About TRLMI

Training Resources Limited, Inc, DBA Maritime Institute (“TRLMI”) in the largest privately held provider of maritime training in the Western United States.  The company’s main campus in San Diego is an 18,000 square foot facility with 14 classrooms, bridge & engine room simulators, and many “hands on” training aids.  TRLMI has over 80 approved US Coast Guard and US Navy courses to provide certifications in deck, engineering, weapons and safety requirements.  For more information, please visit www.TRLMI.com or contact Dave Abrams, CEO at 619-263-1638.

About the Orange Coast College Waterfront Campus

The Orange Coast College Waterfront Campus is home to a state-of-the art maritime training facility and a waterfront facility with boats ranging from 9 – 92 feet. Waterfront Campus programs include OCC’s nationally recognized intercollegiate Crew teams, the School of Sailing and Seamanship – one of the largest community boating programs in the nation, an accredited certificate and associates degree program for Professional Mariners, and continuing education opportunities for career mariners. Orange Coast College is a 2021 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) designee.  For more information, please visit www.waterfront.orangecoastcollege.edu or contact Sarah Hirsch, Director at 949.258.7091.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hamper Passport Services. To better serve mariners during this time we are updating our temporary provisions. These provisions are subject to change once operations are on a more normal footing.

Instructions for Urgent Assistance with Applying for a Passport

Qualifications

• Be a credentialed merchant mariner;
• Be eligible to apply on a DS-82 application for passport renewal. (Check eligibility at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html); and
• Have a current passport that is expired or expiring in 7 months or less.

Download Application and Mailing Instructions by Clicking on the Link Below: Updated policy for Mariners 8_25_2021_FINAL

Don’t miss the renewal deadline!

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, mariners were initially granted an extension on their credentials since courses and testing had become limited or unavailable.

The granted extensions are coming to an end. Please see below for the dates on when credentials and certificates are set to expire.

Merchant Mariner Credentials:

• National Endorsements
• STCW Endorsements

If your credentials were set to expire between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, your credential is now expiring before October 31, 2021 or 1 year after the initial expiration date of the credential.

Medical Certifications:

• National, Pilot, or STCW Medical Certificates:

If your credentials were set to expire between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, you medical certificate is now expiring before October 31, 2021 or 1 year after the initial expiration date of the credential.

Approval to Test Letters (ATT) and Course Completion Certificates:

If your credentials were set to expire between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, your approval to test will expire October 31, 2021.

Course seating is limited.  Book your renewal courses early, before the courses fill up. Courses Archive – Training Resources Maritime Institute (trlmi.com)

For credential renewal paperwork, please visit our website: USCG Forms & Checklists – Training Resources Maritime Institute (trlmi.com)

Maritime Publishing of San Diego, CA announced today that it has acquired Professional Mariner and Ocean Navigator magazines from Portland, Maine based Navigator Publishing.

According to Dave Abrams, CEO of Training Resources Limited, the parent company of Maritime Publishing, “We are in the business of providing mariners with knowledge through education. Professional Mariner and Ocean Navigator have been providing knowledge through current industry news and original editorial content for decades, so they are a natural extension of our existing business. The titles give us the ability to provide mariners with advocacy, news and information about the industries and adventures we train them for.

Alex Agnew, President of Navigator Publishing added “I am very excited to be passing the torch to Dave and his team at Maritime Publishing. I believe they will elevate the already outstanding content that we have been known for and provide resources to expand our efforts in both print and digital media. We could not think of a better successor to carry on our legacy.”

“This is the kind of strategic deal that we see as the future of special interest and B to B publishing,” said Ed Fitzelle, Managing Director of Luntz, Suleiman & Assoc. Inc., a publishing industry M&A veteran.

All Navigator employees, including Agnew, will continue with the magazines and will work with Maritime Publishing’s other magazines, Pacific Maritime Magazine and Fisherman’s News.

Maritime Publishing of San Diego, CA announced today that it has acquired Professional Mariner and Ocean Navigator magazines from Portland, Maine based Navigator Publishing.

According to Dave Abrams, CEO of Training Resources Limited, the parent company of Maritime Publishing, “We are in the business of providing mariners with knowledge through education. Professional Mariner and Ocean Navigator have been providing knowledge through current industry news and original editorial content for decades, so they are a natural extension of our existing business. The titles give us the ability to provide mariners with advocacy, news and information about the industries and adventures we train them for.

Alex Agnew, President of Navigator Publishing added “I am very excited to be passing the torch to Dave and his team at Maritime Publishing. I believe they will elevate the already outstanding content that we have been known for and provide resources to expand our efforts in both print and digital media. We could not think of a better successor to carry on our legacy.”

“This is the kind of strategic deal that we see as the future of special interest and B to B publishing,” said Ed Fitzelle, Managing Director of Luntz, Suleiman & Assoc. Inc., a publishing industry M&A veteran.

All Navigator employees, including Agnew, will continue with the magazines and will work with Maritime Publishing’s other magazines, Pacific Maritime Magazine and Fisherman’s News.

About Maritime Publishing
Maritime Publishing is a publisher of trade and technical publications for the Marine Industry. Formed in 2020, Maritime Publishing is a division of Training Resources Limited, Inc., the largest privately held provider of maritime training in the Western United States. Maritime Publishing also owns Pacific Maritime Magazine and Fishermen’s News. For more information, please visit www.maritimepublishing.com and www.TRLMI.com or contact Dave Abrams, CEO at 619-263-1638.

About Professional Mariner
Since 1991, Professional Mariner and its annuals American Tugboat Review and American Ship Review have been focused on the needs of USCG-licensed professional mariners. These mariners work on board vessels, ashore running small and large maritime companies and often go back and forth between office and vessel. Known for its careful and consistent coverage of lessons learned from maritime casualties, Professional Mariner is a news magazine with associated websites and newsletters.

About Ocean Navigator
Since 1985, Ocean Navigator and its annual Ocean Voyager, have been focused on seamanship for self-reliant recreational mariners serious about spending time at sea. Initially focused on owners of voyaging sailboats, Ocean Navigator began serving the needs of owners of ocean-going displacement powerboats often referred to as “trawlers.” In support of its mission, Ocean Navigator operated a school, the Ocean Navigator School of Seamanship (ONSOS) and also operated a tall ship, Schooner Ocean Star, from 1991 until 1998. In recent years, the magazine has sponsored youth education at sea by sponsoring the non-profit Sailing Ships Maine which has sent more than 500 teenagers to sea for overnight weeklong experiential educational programs.