The following is the text of an announcement from the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center:
Implementation of Updated Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) Forms
On January 4, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget approved the new version of the Coast Guard forms used to apply for a Merchant Mariner Credential:
719B Application
719K Medical Evaluation
719KE Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings
719S Small Vessel Sea Service
719P Periodic Drug Testing
The data collected on the updated forms is nearly identical to the previous series of forms; however, several of these forms have undergone significant format revision. The new expiration date of these forms is January 31, 2016.
Implementation of these forms will commence on or about January 28, 2013. The Coast Guard will not stock the updated CG-719 series forms in paper format. These forms will be available electronically in a PDF fill-able format at the National Maritime Center’s website http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/.
The Coast Guard has authorized a transition period that will provide mariners the flexibility to apply for a credential using the old and/or new forms as everyone adapts to the new formats. The table below outlines the implementation policy for the new versions of the forms.
CG-719B
Applications dated after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form.
CG-719K
Physicals signed by a physician after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form.
CG-719KE
Physicals signed by a physician after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form.
CG-719P
Drug tests collected and submitted after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form.
CG-719S
Small Vessel Sea Service commenced after April 30, 2013 must be on the new form.
Mariners and other providers should contact the Customer Service Center at IASKNMC@uscg.mil or 888-IASKNMC (888-427-5662) with any questions or feedback regarding new forms.
To access the announcement on Coast Guard letterhead from the NMC's website, click here and, near the middle of the page, choose "Implementation of Updated Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) Forms."
