The Coast Guard has issued a final rule updating the accepted required payment method for merchant mariner credentialing fees.
Effective January 19, 2025, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Examination Centers (RECs) will only accept user fee payments made using the USCG Merchant Mariner User Fee Payment Page on Pay.gov.
Pay.gov is a secure service provided by the United States Department of the Treasury.
Acceptable payment methods within Pay.gov include credit card, debit card, and bank account routing number.
Manual processing of the previously allowed cash, checks, credit cards, or money orders required significant work hours by the National Maritime Center and Regional Exam Center personnel, were difficult to validate and protect using the current system, and did not meet the requirements of the U.S. Treasury. Now, applicants who wish to continue to use cash or money orders can obtain a prepaid credit card to pay fees using Pay.gov. Applicants who wish to pay via personal check can make an Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment through Pay.gov.
Please note that after January 19, 2025, the NMC and RECs may no longer accept any other form of payment including cash, check, money order, or credit card, regardless of whether they are provided in person or via mail.
All payments other than Pay.gov will be returned to the applicant and the applicant will be required to submit a new fee payment using Pay.gov.
Once you have paid your fees using Pay.gov, please ensure you print or save your receipt and attach the receipt to your application prior to submitting the application to NMC.
Note that Active-Duty members of the Uniformed Services may be eligible for fee waivers.
**See CG-MMC Policy Letter 3-24 for complete information on fee exemptions.
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Please visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427- 5662).
For a how-to video on filling out your Application for Merchant Mariner Credential (CG-719B) Form, click HERE.
Oath No Longer Necessary
In addition, this final rule removes the requirement to take an oath before an authorized official while certifying an Application for Merchant Mariner Credential (Form CG-719B). By signing the form, an individual attests to “solemnly swear or affirm” to abide by the requirements of the oath. This legally binds a mariner, so no additional requirement before an authorized official is necessary.
The Coast Guard also anticipates that the future Merchant Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) system would allow for electronic signatures and additional verification of identity, further negating the need for the requirement to take an oath before an authorized official.
Mariner Certificates of Discharge Also Will Become Fully Electronic
This rule also changes 46 CFR 14.307, regarding entries on certificates of discharge for mariners after completing a voyage, to clarify the procedures and allow for electronic processing and recordkeeping. The process is clarified by requiring that each Master or individual in charge must, for each individual mariner being discharged from the vessel, prepare a Form CG-718A, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Coast Guard. The prescribed format may include the current CG-718A or other means provided by the Coast Guard, which allows for electronic processing if available in a new MCP system (see below).
If a Master or individual in charge of a vessel does not use a Coast Guard-prescribed format, the mariner must be provided with all the same information included on Form CG-718A. This ensures the vessel Master or operating companies provide the required information to the mariner but allows for them to use vessel or company specific means, such as a payroll system incorporated in their vessel administrative systems.
Following each voyage, every mariner being discharged must validate the information on Form CG-718A by signing it. The change from signing in “permanent ink” to “by signing” allows for more modern methods such as electronic signature or document verification. Finally, when the mariner departs the vessel, the Master or individual in charge must give Form CG-718A to the mariner, which could be provided electronically with the changes. The changes to Form CG-718A’s process creates a more modern and electronic means of processing the document.
Under this final rule, there is no change to the certificate of discharge transmission process under 46 CFR 14.311.
Changes Are Designed to Speed Transition To a Fully Electronic Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation System
To prepare for the future acquisition of an information technology system to replace the antiquated and inefficient Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MMLD) system used by the MCP, this rule will allow for electronic submission of information to obtain MMCs, medical certificates, and the approval of mariner training courses and programs, Qualified Assessors, and Designated Examiners. Providing for the electronic submission of required information streamlines the credentialing process and prepares for the fully electronic IT system that will be used by the MCP and maritime industry.
Based on national payment statistics, the Coast Guard anticipates the use of cash or money orders to continue to decrease, reflecting the overall public trend in the United States to make payments using a credit card, debit card, or check.
Electronic payment reduces the burden on Coast Guard personnel who process non-electronic payments (cash, check, money orders) and improves customer service to mariners by allowing for better reconciliation and more efficient processing of payments and refunds.
