APRIL 2018 • FOGHORN 27 SAFETYMATTERS for Medical Certificate online directly to the Coast Guard NMC as was just recently permitted. Finally, harmonization is only available to mariners submitting an original application or a renewal. The Policy For those mariners who remain steadfast in their resolve to harmonize, the process is straightforward. Applications for both the Merchant Mariner Credential as well as the Mariner Medical Certificate must be submitted together to a Coast Guard Regional Examination Center. On page 4, under Section II of Coast Guard Form 7l9B “Application for Merchant Mariner Credential”, under the block titled “DESCRIPTION OF ENDORSEMENT(S) DESIRED”, t h e a p p l i c a n t m u s t c l e a r l y indicate their request for harmo- nization by including the text: “REQUEST MMC/MEDICAL CERT HARMONIZATION.” Once submitted, the Coast Guard will work on both applications si- multaneously. When either the pro- fessional qualification evaluation or the medical certificate evaluation are completed, it will be held for issuance until both evaluations are complete and the Merchant Mariner Credential and medical certificate are ready to be issued with harmonized expiration dates. Obviously, any delays on either the credentialing or medical side will delay issuance of both. If the delay becomes too lengthy, as spelled out in the policy letter, then the process will be separated and the mariner will receive the credential or certificate for which they are qualified. Harmonization is a tool that may be appropriate for certain mariners. In the end, a mariner needs both documents to operate under the authority of their Merchant Mariner Credential. The policy letter is posted on the web at http://homeport.uscg. mil and can be accessed via the NMC website. n Coming Up in MAY: HUMAN RESOURCES Editorial content due: April 2 Ad close: April 13 JUNE: OPERATIONS Editorial content due: May 4 Ad close: May 18 JULY: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Editorial content due: June 4 Ad close: June 15 AUGUST: SAFETY Editorial content due: July 2 Ad close: July 20