NVIC 19-14: Qualified assessor policy change notices

Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC-2 Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 19-14 September 16, 2026 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 19-14, CH-6 Subj: CHANGE 6 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-6 to NVIC 19-14.

PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-6 to NVIC 19-14.

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use NVIC 19-14 and 46 CFR 10.405(a) to establish that

persons who assess the competency of mariners are qualified to perform assessments for STCW endorsements.

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 19-14

is updated.

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISCUSSION.

a. In an effort to alleviate a shortage of qualified mariners, and to reduce the burden on the maritime industry, the Coast Guard is revising the recommended qualifications for persons who will assess the competence of mariners seeking an STCW endorsement as Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW). This change is in alignment with Administration priorities to ease burden on industry. This change will not lessen or hinder marine safety. b. With this Commandant Change Notice, assessors for RFPEW will not need previous experience in the applicable propulsion mode. Assessors will still need at least one year of experience as the officer in charge of an engineering watch (OICEW) and/or as Able Seafarer-Engine with watchkeeping duties on seagoing vessels of at least 1,000 HP (750 kW). c. Assessments are still required to be performed as specified in Enclosure (2) of NVIC 07- 14 on a vessel of the applicable propulsion mode or on a simulator that replicates the propulsion plant of a vessel of the applicable propulsion mode. Assessors for other STCW engineering endorsements will still require experience in the applicable propulsion mode.

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, 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 This and other Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars are available at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/ and by using this QR Code. Subj: CHANGE 6 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED COMDTCHANGE NOTE 16721 ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 NVIC 19-14 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 fulfilling this policy may be acceptable if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — MAJOR CHANGES. This Commandant Change Notice revises the guidance on assessor

qualifications for RFPEW in Enclosure (2) of NVIC 19-14.

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, 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 Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISTRIBUTION. An electronic version of NVIC 19-14 as revised by this Commandant

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

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — PROCEDURE. Remove and insert the following pages:

Remove Insert Enclosure (2) CH-5, Page 3 Enclosure (2) CH-6, Page 3

CH-5 to Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATONS. 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 Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — FORMS/REPORTS. None.

Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC-2 Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 19-14 September 9, 2024 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 19-14, CH-4 Subj: CHANGE 5 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB Ref: (a) Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 19-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 19-14 and 46 CFR 10.405(a) to establish that persons who assess the competency of mariners are qualified to perform assessments for STCW endorsements. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 19-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION. a.

At the Spring 2023 meeting of the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (NMERPAC), the Coast Guard tasked the committee with making recommendations on the policies contained in NVIC 03-14, including qualifications for instructors for Coast Guard approved courses. b.

This Commandant Change Notice changes the guidance for qualifications of assessors for STCW endorsements to be consistent with the recommendations of NMERPAC regarding the qualifications for instructors for related courses. c.

CH-4 to NVIC 19-14 made changes to reflect that the deadline for acceptance of assessments of competence that were not performed by an approved Qualified Assessor had been extended.

That CH-4 overlooked revising one of the “FAQs” in Enclosure (1).

This CH-5 corrects that omission. 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 fulfilling this policy may be acceptable if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

Subj: CHANGE 5 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED COMDTCHANGE NOTE 16721 ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 NVIC 19-14 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice revises the guidance on assessor qualifications in NVIC 19-14.

It also revises one of the “FAQs” in Enclosure (1)to reflect the extension of the deadline for acceptance of assessments of competence that were not performed by an 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 19-14 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: Remove Insert Enclosure (1) Page 4 CH-4 Enclosure (1) Page 4 CH-5 Enclosure (2) CH-4 Enclosure (2) CH-5 RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATONS.

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.

Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 19-14 September 29, 2023 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 19-14, CH-4 Subj: CHANGE 4 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB Ref: (a) Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-4 to NVIC 19-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 19-14 and 46 CFR 10.405(a) to establish that persons who assess the competency of mariners are qualified to perform assessments for STCW endorsements. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 19-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

This Commandant Change Notices revises NVIC 19-14 to: a.

Clarify the requirements to renew an approval as a Qualified Assessor (QA), and provide additional clarification concerning the use of alternative assessments; b.

Allow mariners with experience on vessels of 50 GRT or more to conduct assessments of competence of mariners seeking STCW endorsements as officer in charge of a navigational watch (OICNW) or Master of vessels of less than 500 GT; and c.

Extend the date for acceptance of assessments of mariner competence that are not signed by a Coast Guard approved QA. 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 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: Subj: CHANGE 4 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED COMDTCHANGE NOTE 16721 ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 NVIC 19-14 State regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements.

Alternative approaches for 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: a.

The “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) in Enclosure (1) to reduce the requirements to renew an approval as a QA.

With this change, QAs will not need to have recent training or experience conducting assessments in order to renew their approval as a QA.

The FAQs are also revised to add additional clarity concerning the use of alternative assessments; b.

The “Assessor Qualifications” in Enclosure (2) to allow mariners with experience on vessels of at least 50 GRT to conduct assessments of competence of mariners seeking STCW endorsements as OICNW and Master Less Than 500 GT.

This change will allow mariners serving on board vessels of less than 100 GRT to be assessed on board the vessels upon which they serve; and c.

Enclosures (1) and (2) to extend the date for acceptance of assessments of mariner competence that are not signed by a Coast Guard approved QA.

Until June 30, 2029, the Coast Guard will accept assessments of competence that are signed before January 1, 2029 by a person who is not a Coast Guard approved QA. 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/.

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 19-14 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 19-14, CH-2 Subj: CH-2 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-2 to NVIC 19-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 19-14 and 46 CFR 10.405(a) to establish that persons who assess the competency of mariners are qualified to perform assessments for STCW endorsements.

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 19-14 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 19-14 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 19-14 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 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: 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 19-14 April 1, 2019 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 19-14, CH-1 Subj: CH-1 TO POLICY ON QUALIFIED ASSESSORS, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Policy on Qualified Assessors, NVIC 19-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-1 to NVIC 19-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 19-14 and 46 CFR 10.405(a) to establish that persons who assess the competency of mariners are qualified to perform assessments for STCW endorsements.

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 19-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

After publication of NVIC 19-14, the Coast Guard 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 19-14 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 19-14 to: a.

Reflect previously published policy extending the date for acceptance of assessments that were not signed by a Coast Guard approved Qualified Assessor; and b.

Provide guidance concerning assessments that are performed on military vessels.

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: