The end of the red book in the US, and the emergence of the new single-page Merchant Mariner Credential
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has been struggling to produce the passport book style of the US Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) for some time. Demand for new credentials, equipment breakdowns and scarcity of the required special paper and lamination stock has created problems for the USCG National Maritime Center and mariners alike. An MMC is required for American mariners to work or operate vessels such as tugs, barges, passenger vessels, offshore supply vessels and deep draft ocean-going cargo ships in the US and internationally. Any mariner working on a US-flagged vessel must comply with documentation and certification requirements. The MMC is valid for five years and shows evidence of those qualifications and competencies, including licenses and endorsements.
Effective since March 1, the new format of the MMC is now the sole format used for all MMC credentials, ending the “red book” era. The new single-page MMC can be folded or displayed flat. This is the first update since 2015 and it is expected to speed up issuance of credentials, as one of the delays has been the reliability of the specialized printers needed for the older version. The USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) has created the new credential to contain embedded security features, and it will be printed on 8.5in by 11in waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper. The security features include micro printing, foiling, intricate patterns throughout the document and anti-copy measures. Readily available commercial desktop laserjet printers will produce them, which will improve print services and availability.
It is important to note that current MMCs will remain valid until the indicated expiration date, and mariners will be issued the new format as the renewal. Mariners should not request a new MMC unless their current one is lost, damaged or nearing expiration. They are also reminded that the document should not be laminated and that while the credential can’t be used as a passport, it should be protected as if it were one. Once issued, new MMC documents must be validated using the Coast Guard’s credential verification tool at MMLD Credential Verification at homeport.uscg.mil.
This won’t be the last update to the MMC format; already in the works is a plan to launch an electronically issued MMC that meets domestic and international requirements. I had the opportunity to view and handle the new credential at the spring USCG NMERPAC meeting in Seattle. I thought the new format was very good and would be a step in the right direction for improving the efficiency of getting credentials out to the US mariner workforce, which includes US officers and crew employed on yachts.
Truly this move will benefit every US mariner, regardless of service industry. For more information, and to get a more detailed look at the new credential, visit the USCG National Maritime Center: dco.uscg.mil/national_maritime_center