39 MAY 2026 Coast Guard to shut down vessel and facility operations where non-compli- ance is found with the cybersecurity training requirements, which became effective in January 2026. Additional guidance on assessments, waivers and equivalencies, and cyber- security plan development are in the works and should be released over the coming months. Once the additional guidance is released, PVA’s cyberse- curity working group will be able to finalize cybersecurity guidance for the next revision to the PVA Alter- ative Security Plan (ASP). The current PVA ASP is due to be renewed in July 2027, which is also when most of the Coast Guard cybersecurity regula- tions become effective. PVA will be seeking an extended implementation period for our members to come into compliance with all the requirements (e.g. cybersecurity officer designation, assessments, waivers, cyber plan devel- opment, and audits) due in July 2027. MARINER CREDENTIALING CAPT Drayer provided an overview of the current accomplishments and challenges at the NMC. As stated previously, NMC was hit hard by the shutdowns and funding disruptions. Recent accomplishments include: • Application Submission and Addi- tional Information Portal (ASAP) – Went live on Jan. 26, and over 28,000 mariner credential applications have been received • New redesigned NMC website launched on Jan. 26 • New credential verification and ap- plication status tools (see my April 2026 article in Foghorn) continues to perform well • Emailing of medical certificates launched April 2 The obvious challenge for NMC is getting through the backlog of mariner applications received during the shutdowns when very little work could be done to move applications through the review process. While NMC has been able to leverage their authority to extend mariner creden- tials that have expired since the begin- ning of 2026, future extensions are not out of the question. Mariner application rejections remain low at five percent with three percent not including the application form, CG-719B, and two percent being du- plicate submissions.
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