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APRIL 2016 FOGHORN 23 SAFETYMATTERS the STCW Convention into U.S. regu- lations the Coast Guard made other necessary changes to the domestic now referred to as national mariner credentialing regulations for the purposes of reorganization clari- fication and needed updates. The medical certificate was a product of those changes and ensures a consistent process to recognize mariner medical fitness for all U.S. mariners regardless of where in the world they operate. Implementation As of January 24 2014 the Coast Guard began issuing medical certifi- cates to each qualified mariner when processing an application that requires a medical evaluation such as issuing an original raise-in-grade or renewal credential. This will be the first time mariners with national endorsements will receive a medical certificate. If a mariner still has a valid credential and only a national endorsement then a medical certificate will be issued at their next application requiring medical evaluation. For mariners holding STCW endorsements the Coast Guard completed issuing medical certificates to all mariners holding valid interna- tional endorsements as ofApril 2 2014. A mariner may not serve under the authority of their STCW endorsement without holding a valid medical certifi- cate as per 46 CFR 15.401. First Class Pilots continue to be subject to the annual physical examina- tion requirements of 46 CFR 11.709b but a new medical certificate will only be issued every two years. Pilots will receive a medical certificate at their next annual medical review or when processing an application that requires a medical evaluation. The Application Process The Coast Guard medical forms CG-719K or CG-719KE serve as the application form for a medical certificate. In order to renew the medical certificate prior to expira- tion mariners must submit an ap- plication through a Regional Exam Center REC. Sending applications directly to the National Maritime Center will likely result in delays as the application will be returned to the mariner for proper submission to the NMC. A mariner credential application CG-719B is not required and there are no fees associated with applying for a medical certificate. As long as a mariner has a valid medical certificate there is no need to submit a medical exam form with a mariner credential application. gplink.com Put Your Fleet at Your Fingertips gplink_halfpage.indd 1 1142015 33702 PM