The National Maritime Center posted a notice to its website announcing that mariners will be allowed to request harmonized expiration dates of their Merchant Mariner Credential and Medical Certificate.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/8/2018: Merchant mariner credential and medical certificate harmonization

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center received its ninth application for Ballast Water Management System type approval for the BALPURE Ballast Water Management System manufactured by De Nora Water Technologies. MSC will review the application for compliance with U.S. Coast […] Source: USCG
Link: 3/7/2018: Ninth application received for BWMS type approval

The following products are available from the Navigation Center website:

• The Eighth (Gulf) Coast Guard District Local Notice to Mariners (10-2018): https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm0810g2018.pdf
• The weekly update to the 2018 USCG Light List, Volume Four: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lightListWeeklyUpdates
  
• The Summary of Corrections: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lightLists/corrections/V4D08GM.pdf

If the links above do not work, you should either copy and paste the links into your web browser or follow the LNM links from the Navigation Center LNM page.

The Local Notice to Mariners, Light List, and Summary of Corrections are in Portable Document Format (PDF) and viewing them requires a PDF reader.  PDF readers are readily available on the internet, generally free of charge.

To download the latest information:

• Place your mouse over the “PDF” symbol next to the corresponding week.
• Right click for PC / Control click for Mac.
• Choose “Save Target As”.
• Save the PDF to your computer and open using your PDF reader.

If you have questions regarding this message, please contact the Navigation Center (use “LNMs, Charts, Chart Corrections, or Light Lists” as the subject from the pull down menu).

Source: LNM District 8
Link: District 08 (GULF) Week 10 LNM Now Available on Navigation Center Website

This blog highlights guidance provided in the recently released NVIC 01-18, “Ballast Water Management For Control Of Non-Indigenous Species In Waters Of The United States,” regarding requests for compliance extensions.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/7/2018: A closer look at NVIC 01-18 and BWMS compliance date extensions

Rear Adm. Linda Fagan, deputy commandant for operations, policy, and capabilities, will testify March 7 before the House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Committee on the implementation of Coast Guard programs.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/6/2018: Congressional hearing alert – Implementation of programs

The webinars are scheduled for March 12 and March 14, and will cover upcoming changes in the merchant mariner medical certification, and Federal, State, and local resources that can assist employers in finding, hiring, and training veterans in the maritime transportation industry.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/6/2018: Webinars hosted by U.S. Committee on Maritime Transportation System

The Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Coast Survey announced that they will incorporate the amalgamated International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea and the Inland Navigation Rules into NOAA’s U.S. Coast Pilot publications.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/6/2018: Navigation Rules to be included in U.S. Coast Pilot publication

The offices of Operating and Environmental Standards and Commercial Vessel Compliance announced March 1, 2018, the availability of Navigation and vessel Inspection Circular 01-18, “Ballast Water Management For Control of Non-Indigenous Species in Waters of the United States,” to inform maritime industry and Coast Guard personnel and provide guidance to ensure a more complete understanding of, and maximum compliance with, ballast water management requirements.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/4/2018: Updated ballast water management NVIC now available

Mr. Jeff Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards, spoke Feb. 22, 2018 at the International Conference on Polar Code Harmonization, in Helsinki, Finland. This post offers a condensed version of Lantz’s remarks, which focus on the U.S. Coast Guard’s view on harmonization, implementation, continued development and lessons learned.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/1/2018: Remarks by Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards Jeffrey Lantz, during Polar Code harmonization conference

The Charles Chapman Award honors individuals or groups within the marine industry who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of boating for the benefit of the recreational boating industry and boating public.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/1/2018: National Marine Manufacturers Association honors Coast Guard employee with 2018 Charles Chapman Award