NVIC 13-14: STCW assessor extension for near-coastal endorsements

ommandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 November 22, 2023 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 13-14, CH-5 Subj: CHANGE 5 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 13-14.

PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 13-14.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use NVIC 13-14 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether

mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 13-

14 is updated.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISCUSSION. The Coast Guard is aware that as a result of the limited number of approved

QAs, there may be a hardship on mariners trying to complete STCW assessments after December 31, 2023. In consideration of this, the Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 19- 14 until December 31, 2028. These assessments must be submitted to the Coast Guard as part of a complete application no later than June 30, 2029. Qualified military personnel need not be approved QAs and may continue to sign assessments after December 31, 2028. This change notice revises NVIC 13-14 to reflect this extension.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it

itself a regulation. It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party. This guidance represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as Federal and State regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements. Alternative approaches for DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Subj: CHANGE 5 TO GUIDELINES ON COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS NVIC 13-14 MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14,COMDTPUB 16721 fulfilling this policy may be acceptable if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — MAJOR CHANGES. This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 13-14 to extend the date

for acceptance of assessments that were not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS.

a. The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b. This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISTRIBUTION. An electronic version of NVIC 13-14 as revised by this Commandant

Change Notice will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — PROCEDURE. Remove and insert the following pages of NVIC 13-14:

Remove Insert Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-4 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-5 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-4 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-5

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS. This Commandant Change Notice has

been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — FORMS/REPORTS. None.

Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave.

SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 December 15, 2021 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 13-14, CH-4 Subj: CHANGE 4 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-3 to NVIC 13-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 13-14 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 13-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

The Coast Guard is aware that as a result of the limited number of approved QAs, there may be a hardship on mariners trying to complete STCW assessments after December 31, 2021.

In consideration of this, the Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 19-14 until December 31, 2023.

These assessments must be submitted to the Coast Guard as part of a complete application no later than June 30, 2024.

Qualified military personnel need not be approved QAs and may continue to sign assessments after December 31, 2023.

This change notice revises NVIC 13-14 to reflect this extension. 5.

DISCLAIMER.

This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.

It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party.

It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance with applicable law.

You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 13-14 to extend the date for acceptance of assessments that were not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor. 7.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.

The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3- 1 of U.S.

Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1.

Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.

This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.

All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.

DISTRIBUTION.

No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.

An electronic version will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/. 9.

PROCEDURE.

Remove and insert the following pages of NVIC 13-14: Remove Insert Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-3 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-4 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-3 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-4 10.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS.

This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series).

This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements. 11.

FORMS/REPORTS.

None.

CH-5 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — REQUEST FOR CHANGES. All requests for changes or questions regarding implementation of

Reference (a) and this Commandant Change Notice should be directed to the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-MMC-2), at (202) 372-2357 or MMCPolicy@uscg.mil.

To obtain approval for a course or training program, contact the NMC at (888) 427-5662 or IAskNMC@uscg.mil. /s/ J.

W.

MAUGER Rear Admiral, U.

S.

Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave.

SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 March 25, 2020 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 13-14, CH-3 Subj: CHANGE 3 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-3 to NVIC 13-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 13-14 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters.

The National Maritime Center should bring this notice to the attention of the maritime industry. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 13-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

The Coast Guard has extended the date for acceptance of assessments of mariner competence that are not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor.

This change notice revises NVIC 13-14 to reflect this extension. 5.

DISCLAIMER.

This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.

It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party.

It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance with applicable law.

You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 13-14 to extend the date for acceptance of assessments that were not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor.

DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 7.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.

The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3- 1 of U.S.

Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1.

Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.

This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.

All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.

DISTRIBUTION.

No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.

An electronic version will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/. 9.

PROCEDURE.

Remove and insert the following pages of NVIC 13-14: Remove Insert Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-1 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-3 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-2 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-3 10.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS.

This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series).

This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements. 11.

FORMS/REPORTS.

None. 12.

REQUEST FOR CHANGES.

All requests for changes or questions regarding implementation of Reference (a) and this Commandant Change Notice should be directed to the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-MMC-2), at (202) 372-2357 or MMCPolicy@uscg.mil.

To obtain approval for a course or training program, contact the NMC at (888) 427-5662 or IAskNMC@uscg.mil. /s/ R.

V.

TIMME Rear Admiral, U.

S.

Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC-2 Phone: 202-372-2357 Fax: 202-372-1246 Email: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 DEC 17 2019 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 13-14, CH 2 Subj: CH-2 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-2 to NVIC 13-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 13-14 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters.

Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should also bring this notice to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones of responsibility. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 13-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

As is specified in 46 CFR 11.201(a), an applicant for an STCW endorsement must hold an appropriate national endorsement.

This change notices revises Enclosure (1) of NVIC 13-14 to add an explanation of this requirement. 5.

DISCLAIMER.

This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.

It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party.

It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance with applicable law.

You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This change notice revises Enclosure (1) of NVIC 13-14 to identify the national endorsements will meet the requirement in 46 CFR 11.201(a) that mariners must hold an appropriate national endorsement to qualify for an STCW endorsement.

DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 0tci ?

I 2CIt 7.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.

The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current CE #A3 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.8 and Appendix A, DHS Instruction Manual023-01-001-01, Revision 01, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, categorical exclusion #43 is appropriate. b.

This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.

All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.

DISTRIBUTION.

No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.

An electronic version will be located at https:i/www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-OrganizationÀIVlC/. 9.

PROCEDURE.

Remove and insert the following pases: Remove Insert Enclosure (1) Page Enclosure (1) CH-2 Pages 3,4, and 5 10.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS.

This NVIC has been thoroughlyreviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series).

This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements.

I 1.

FORMS/REPORTS.

None. l2 FOR CHAN All requests for changes or questions regarding implementation of NVIC 13-14 and this Commandant Change Notice should be directed to the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-MMC -2), at (202) 372-2357 or MMCPolicy@uscg.mil a R.

V.

TIMME Rear Admiral,U.

S.

Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC-2 Phone: 202-372-2357 Fax: 202-372-1246 Email: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 August 6, 2018 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 13-14, CH 1 Subj: CH-1 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-1 to Reference (a), Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721. 2.

ACTION.

Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should bring this Commandant Change Notice to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones of responsibility.

Internet release is authorized. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 is changed in accordance with this Commandant Change Notice. 4.

DISCUSSION. a.

This notice changes the guidance found in Reference (a) concerning qualifying for STCW endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters. b.

The standards of competence for endorsements as Master and OICNW for vessels of less than 500 GT are found in Table A-II/3 of the STCW Code.

This table does not include standards of competence for Bridge Resource Management (BRM), Leadership and Managerial Skills, or Leadership and Teamworking Skills.

This Commandant Change Notice will remove the requirement for mariners to complete approved training or to demonstrate meeting the standard of competence in these areas in order to qualify for or to renew endorsements as Master and OICNW of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters.

DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 168 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 c.

This Commandant Change Notice will also remove grandfathering provisions that expired on December 31, 2016. d.

After publication of NVIC 13-14, the Coast Guard noted an error in the discussion of the service requirements for Master on Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters.

The original NVIC incorrectly included “or” after the discussion of the service requirements in paragraph (2)(a)(i) of Enclosure (1).

This Commandant Change Notice corrects that error to indicate that the service is in addition to training and meeting the STCW standard of competence and is not an alternative to training and assessment. 5.

DISCLAIMER.

This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.

It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party.

It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance with applicable law.

You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice revises Reference (a) as follows: a.

Enclosure (1) is revised to: 1) Remove the requirement to complete approved training for Leadership and Managerial Skills in order to qualify for or to renew an endorsement as Master of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters; 2) Correct an error in the discussion of service requirements for endorsements as Master of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters; 3) Remove the requirement to complete approved training for Bridge Resource Management in order to qualify for an endorsement as OICNW of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters; 4) Remove the requirement to meet the standard of competence for Leadership and Teamworking Skills to renew an endorsement as OICNW of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters; 5) Revise the discussion of service requirements for OICNW of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters to include the quantity of seagoing service that should be included in an approved program; 6) Remove grandfathering and transition provisions that expired on December 31, 2016; 7) Add cites to applicable portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); 8) Revise discussions concerning training for Basic Training, Proficiency in Survival Craft, and Advanced Firefighting to note that mariners who completed this training more than five years before the date of application should provide evidence of having maintained the applicable standard of competence; 9) Add a discussion in the section for renewal of endorsements to note that mariners who will serve as the person in charge of a survival craft should provide evidence of maintaining the COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 standard of competence for Proficiency in Survival Craft or Proficiency in Survival Craft- Limited; and 10) Change the format of the discussion of endorsement renewal requirements to improve readability; and b.

Enclosures (2), and (3) are revised to reflect previously published policy extending the date for acceptance of assessments that were not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor, and to add additional information concerning assessments that are performed on military vessels.

Significant changes are marked with a vertical line 7.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.

The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current USCG CE # 33 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.B.2. and Figure 2-1 of the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental Impacts, COMDTINST M16475.1 (series).

Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #33 is appropriate. b.

This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.

All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.

DISTRIBUTION.

No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.

An electronic version will be located at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic. 9.

PROCEDURE.

Remove and insert the following pages: Remove Insert Enclosure (1) Enclosure (1) CH-1 Enclosure (2), Page 1 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-1 Enclosure (3), Page 10 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-1 10.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS.

This NVIC has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave.

SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 13-14 November 22, 2023 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 13-14, CH-5 Subj: CHANGE 5 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 13-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 13-14 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 13- 14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

The Coast Guard is aware that as a result of the limited number of approved QAs, there may be a hardship on mariners trying to complete STCW assessments after December 31, 2023.

In consideration of this, the Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 19- 14 until December 31, 2028.

These assessments must be submitted to the Coast Guard as part of a complete application no later than June 30, 2029.

Qualified military personnel need not be approved QAs and may continue to sign assessments after December 31, 2028.

This change notice revises NVIC 13-14 to reflect this extension. 5.

DISCLAIMER.

This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.

It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party.

This guidance represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as Federal and State regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements.

Alternative approaches for DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Subj: CHANGE 5 TO GUIDELINES ON COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS NVIC 13-14 MASTER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH OF VESSELS OF LESS THAN 500 GT LIMITED TO NEAR-COASTAL WATERS, NVIC 13-14, COMDTPUB 16721 fulfilling this policy may be acceptable if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 13-14 to extend the date for acceptance of assessments that were not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor. 7.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.

The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S.

Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1.

Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.

This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.

All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8. DISTRIBUTION. An electronic version of NVIC 13-14 as revised by this Commandant Change Notice will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/. 9. PROCEDURE. Remove and insert the following pages of NVIC 13-14: Remove Insert Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-4 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-5 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-4 Enclosure (3), Page 10 CH-5 10. RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS. This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements. 11. FORMS/REPORTS. None.