30 JULY 2017 • FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS By Eric Christensen, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk Management O ver the past few months I have fielded a number of questions regarding en- dorsement changes on Merchant Mariner Credentials. Many believe these changes are the result of inter- national standards being applied to domestic mariners through the U.S. Coast Guard’s mariner credential- ing office. Conspiracy theories aside, in general, the 2012 changes to the national and international endorse- ments on a merchant mariner‘s creden- tial align with longstanding regulatory breakpoints as well as requirements associated with the 2010 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). The Rulemaking On December 24, 2013, the Coast Guard published the Final Rule on a set of regulations designed to not only implement the 2010 amendment to STCW for our international mariners, but also to reorganize, clarify and update the body of regulations as- sociated with the entire credential- ing program. The implementation timeframe for the national (domestic) endorsement changes was between March 24, 2014, and January 1, 2017. The changes to the deck officer endorsements that impact most PVA members were as follows: § 11.410 Requirements for deck officer endorsements for vessels of less than 1,600 GRT. Mariner Credentialing – Where Did My Gross Ton Go? The Pacific Maritime Magazine Ferries Conference is unique in bringing the public transit agencies, municipal elected officials and city administrators together with the operations community to discuss where marine transit makes sense …and how best to fund it and operate it. If you provide ferry services or your community is looking at introducing one, this conference is designed for you! OCTOBER 19TH, 2017 RENAISSANCE SEATTLE HOTEL • SEATTLE, WA “Great conference! Of all the similar events I have been to, this was the best, as far as making good business connections and building existing relationships. The sessions provided just the right balance between the technical and political, and were geared well for the audience that attended. You and your team did a fine job — hats off to you!” Greg Jose, Marketing Manager, BMT Designers and Planners SPONSORSHIPS Bill Forslund bill@philipspublishing.com (206) 284-8285 Ferries Conference is proudly produced by Pacific Maritime Magazine GOLD SPONSOR Supporting Organization www.ferriesconference.com EVENT PROGRAMMING Peter Philips peter@philipspublishing.com (206) 284-8285 REGISTRATION & OTHER INQUIRIES Denise Philips denise@philipspublishing.com (206) 284-8285