NVIC 24-14: STCW Electro-Technical Rating assessment extension (CH-5)

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 24-14 November 22, 2023 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14, CH-5 Subj: CHANGE 5 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO-TECHNICAL RATING ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 24-14.

PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 24-14.

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use NVIC 24-14 and 46 Part 12 to establish whether mariners are

qualified to hold STCW rating endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More.

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 24-14 is

updated.

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, 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 24-14 to reflect this extension.

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, 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 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 4 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO-TECHNICAL RATING NVIC 24-14 ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 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 Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — MAJOR CHANGES. This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 24-14 to extend the date for

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

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, 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 for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISTRIBUTION. An electronic version of NVIC 24-14 as revised by this Commandant Change

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

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — PROCEDURE. Remove and insert the following pages of NVIC 24-14:

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

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, 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 for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, 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 24-14 December 27, 2021 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14, CH-4 Subj: CHANGE 4 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO-TECHNICAL RATING ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-4 to NVIC 24-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 24-14 and 46 Part 12 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW rating endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 24-14 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 24-14 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 24-14 6.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 24-14 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 24-14: Remove Insert Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-2 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-4 Enclosure (3), Page 5 CH-2 Enclosure (3), Page 5 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.

COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 24-14

CH-5 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — REQUEST FOR CHANGES. All requests for changes or questions regarding implementation of

NVIC 24-14 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.

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 US Coast Guard Stop 7509 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave.

SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 Commandant E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil United States Coast Guard COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 24-14 August 26, 2021 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14, CH-3 Subj: CHANGE 3 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO-TECHNICAL RATING ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-3 to NVIC 24-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 24-14 and 46 CFR Part 12 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW rating endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More.

Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection

(OCMIs) should 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 24-14 is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

The qualification requirements for endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) are specified in 46 Code of Federal Regulations Section 12.611, and include a requirement to complete approved training for Computer Systems and Maintenance and High Voltage Power Systems.

The standards of competence requirements for STCW endorsements as ETR are found in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code.

That table does not include standards of competence relevant to computer systems and maintenance or high voltage power systems.

The Coast Guard will not enforce the requirement for an approved courses in Computer Systems and Maintenance or High Voltage Systems for an ETR endorsement because it places a higher training burden on U.S. mariners compared to what is required of the international maritime workforce for a similar endorsement.

The time and cost for a mariner to complete the Computer Systems and Maintenance and High Voltage Power Systems courses outweigh any benefit the course would 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 24-14 provide because the mariner does not use this knowledge and proficiency in their ETR capacity.

For these reasons, this Commandant Change Notice will allow mariners to qualify for an STCW endorsement as ETR without completing approved training for computer systems and maintenance and for high voltage power systems. 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.

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

MAJOR CHANGES.

This CH-3 to NVIC 24-14 revises Enclosure (1) to allow mariners to qualify for an STCW endorsement as ETR without completing approved training in Computer Systems and Maintenance and High Voltage Power Systems. 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 24-14: Remove Insert Enclosure (1), Page 1 CH-1 Enclosure (1), Page 1 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.

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 24-14 May 7, 2020 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14, CH-2 Subj: CHANGE 2 TO GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO-TECHNICAL RATING ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-2 to NVIC 24-14. 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use NVIC 24-14 and 46 Part 12 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW rating endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More.

Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection

(OCMIs) should 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 24-14 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 24-14 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 24-14 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: 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 24-14 April 1, 2019 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14, CH 1 Subj: CH-1 TO GUIDELINES FOR QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO-TECHNICAL RATING ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE, NVIC 24-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More, NVIC 24- 14, COMDTPUB 16721 1.

PURPOSE.

This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-1 to reference (a). 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use reference (a) and 46 CFR 12.611 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More (ETR).

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, reference (a) is updated. 4.

DISCUSSION.

After publication of Reference (a), 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 Commandant Change Notice revises Enclosures (1) and (2) of Reference (a) to reflect this extension. 5.

MAJOR CHANGES.

This Commandant Change Notice: a.

Adds in Enclosure (1) an explanation of the requirement in 46 CFR 12.201(a)(1) that mariners must hold an appropriate national endorsement to qualify for an STCW endorsement; and b.

Revises Enclosures (2), and (3) 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 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 X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 6.

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. 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.B and Appendix A, DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, 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, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 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://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/. 9.

PROCEDURE.

Remove and insert the following pages of Enclosure (1) to Reference (a): Remove Insert Enclosure (1), Page 1 Enclosure (1), Page 1 CH-1 Enclosure (2), Page 1 Enclosure (2), Page 1 CH-1 Enclosure (3), Pages 5 and 6 Enclosure (3), Page 5 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 M5212.12 (series).

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

FORMS/REPORTS.

None.

Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.

Ave.

SE United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-7501 Staff Symbol: CG-CVC-4 Phone: (202) 372-2357 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTPUB P16721 NVIC 24-14 September 2, 2014 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14 Subj: GUIDELINES ON QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS AS ELECTRO- TECHNICAL RATING ON VESSELS POWERED BY MAIN PROPULSION MACHINERY OF 750 kW/1,000 HP OR MORE Ref: (a) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), Regulation III/7 and Section A-III/7 of STCW Code, incorporated into regulations at 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 12.103 1.

PURPOSE.

This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) provides guidance on qualification for and revalidation of STCW endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More (ETR). 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use this NVIC and 46 CFR 12.611 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW endorsements as ETR.

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

This NVIC is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/.

The Coast Guard will distribute it by electronic means only. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

None. 4.

BACKGROUND. a.

The STCW Convention and STCW Code set forth standards for training and certification for merchant mariners.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the STCW Convention and STCW Code on June 25, 2010.

These amendments entered into DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 162 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 X C X X D X X E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 24-14 force for all ratifying countries, including the United States, on January 1, 2012, and established certain new endorsements, including ETR. b.

The Convention is not self-implementing; therefore, the U.S., as a signatory to the STCW Convention, initiated regulatory changes to ensure full implementation of the amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code.

The U.S. implements these provisions under the Convention and under the authority of United States Code (U.S.C.), Titles 33 and 46.

The Coast Guard published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 24, 2013, (78 FR 77796) that implements the STCW Convention and STCW Code, including the 2010 amendments.

This rule became effective on March 24, 2014.

The Coast Guard is publishing this NVIC to provide guidance on complying with the new regulations. 5.

DISCUSSION. a.

Policy regarding STCW endorsements as ETR is located in this NVIC.

Enclosure (1) discusses specific qualification requirements for the endorsement.

Enclosure (2) contains the national assessment guidelines.

Enclosure (3) may be used to record the completion of assessments.

Enclosure (4) provides relevant excerpts from the STCW Convention and STCW Code, these are provided for information only. b.

When assessing demonstrations of skills, Qualified Assessors (QAs) are encouraged to use the guidelines in Enclosure (2) or an approved alternative.

Shipboard QAs may make minor changes to the assessments in Enclosure (2) to reflect differences in shipboard equipment and operating procedures.

QAs may not make other changes unless prior approval is given by the National Maritime Center (NMC) (46 CFR 12.601(a)(1)(i)). c.

A training institution applying for approval of a course or program that leads to an endorsement as ETR should state either that the guidelines in Enclosure (2) will apply, or provide the alternative guidelines it proposes to use.

However, under 46 CFR 10.402(e), a training institution must submit any deviations from these guidelines to the Coast Guard for approval before use. d.

When applying for an ETR endorsement, mariners need only submit the completed Enclosure (3), Record of Assessment, or an equivalent evidence of demonstration of competency, to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard recommends that the applicant retain a copy of Enclosure (3) or equivalent evidence of demonstration of competency for his or her records. 6.

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 the applicable law.

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