Merchant mariner credentialing

(a) Reduction of lengths of certain periods of service Section 3534 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (u); and (2) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the following: (j) Revising merchant mariner deck training requirements Section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (20) through (56) as paragraphs (21), (22), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39), (40), (41), (42), (43), (44), (45), (46), (47), (48), (49), (50), (51), (52), (53), (54), (55), (56), (57), and (58), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (19) the following: (20) merchant mariner credential means a merchant mariner license, certificate, or document that the Secretary is authorized to issue pursuant to this title.; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (22), as so redesignated, the following: (23) nautical school program means a program that— (A) offers a comprehensive program of training that includes substantial sea service on nautical school vessels or merchant vessels of the United States primarily to train individuals for service in the merchant marine; and (B) is approved by the Secretary for purposes of section 7315, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary.. (k) Noncitizenship nationality (1) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality Section 7102 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (A) in the section heading by inserting or noncitizen nationality after Citizenship; and (B) by inserting or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) after citizens. (2) Conforming amendments (A) In general Section 7304 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (i) in the section heading by inserting or noncitizen nationality after Citizenship; and (ii) by inserting or noncitizen nationals (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) after citizens. (B) Citizenship and Navy Reserve requirements Section 8103 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (i) in the section heading by inserting or noncitizen nationality after Citizenship; (ii) in subsection (a) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen; (iii) in subsection (b)— (I) in paragraph (1)(A)(i) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen; (II) in paragraph (3) by inserting or noncitizen nationality after citizenship; and (III) in paragraph (3)(C) by inserting or noncitizen nationals after citizens; (iv) in subsection (c) by inserting or noncitizen nationals after citizens; (v) in subsection (d)— (I) in paragraph (1) by inserting or noncitizen nationals after citizens; and (II) in paragraph (2) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen each place it appears; (vi) in subsection (e) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen each place it appears; (vii) in subsection (i)(1)(A) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen; (viii) in subsection (k)— (I) in paragraph (1)(A) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen; and (II) in paragraph (2)— (aa) by striking Not more than and inserting the following: (A) Not more than; and (bb) by adding at the end the following: (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for the period beginning on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 and ending on December 31, 2065, not more than 50 percent of the unlicensed seamen on a vessel described in paragraph (1) may be aliens referred to in subparagraph (B) or (C) of such paragraph.; and (ix) by adding at the end the following: (l) Noncitizen national defined In this section, the term noncitizen national means an individual described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408).. (C) Command of documented vessels Section 12131(a) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) after citizen. (D) Invalidation of certificates of documentation Section 12135(2) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting or noncitizen national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) after citizen. (3) Clerical amendments (A) In general The analysis for chapter 71 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7102 and inserting the following: 7102. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality.. (B) Section 7304 The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7304 and inserting the following: 7304. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on merchant mariners’ documents.. (C) Section 8103 The analysis for chapter 81 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 8103 and inserting the following: 8103. Citizenship or noncitizen nationality and Navy Reserve requirements.. (l) Examinations Section 7116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (c). (m) Merchant mariners documents Chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code is amended— (1) by amending section 7306 to read as follows: 7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck departments (a) In general The Secretary may issue a merchant mariner credential, to members of the deck department in the following classes: (1) Able Seaman-Unlimited. (2) Able Seaman-Limited. (3) Able Seaman-Special. (4) Able Seaman-Offshore Supply Vessels. (5) Able Seaman-Sail. (6) Able Seaman-Fishing Industry. (7) Ordinary Seaman. (b) Classification of credentials The Secretary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued under subsection (a) based on— (1) the tonnage and means of propulsion of vessels; (2) the waters on which vessels are to be operated; or (3) other appropriate standards. (c) Qualifications To qualify for a credential under this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory proof that the applicant— (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) has the service required by the applicable section of this part; (3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable examination or educational requirements; (4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the seafarer’s duties; and (5) has satisfied any additional requirements established by the Secretary, including career patterns and service appropriate to the particular service, industry, or job functions the individual is engaged.; (2) in section 7307 by striking 3 years and inserting 18 months; (3) in section 7308 by striking 18 months and inserting 12 months; (4) in section 7309 by striking 12 months and inserting 6 months; (5) in section 7313— (A) in subsection (b) by striking and coal passer; and (B) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Classification of credentials The Secretary may classify the merchant mariner credential issued under subsection (a) based on— (1) the tonnage and means of propulsion of vessels; (2) the waters on which vessels are to be operated; or (3) other appropriate standards. (d) Qualifications To qualify for a credential under this section, an applicant shall provide satisfactory proof that the applicant— (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) has a minimum of 6-months service in the related entry rating; (3) is qualified professionally as demonstrated by an applicable examination or educational requirements; and (4) is qualified as to sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the member’s duties.; and (6) by amending section 7315 to read as follows: 7315. Training (a) Nautical school program Graduation from a nautical school program may be substituted for the sea service requirements under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title. (b) Other approved training programs The satisfactory completion of a training program approved by the Secretary may be substituted for not more than one-half of the sea service requirements under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title in accordance with subsection (c). (c) Training days For purposes of subsection (b), training days undertaken in connection with training programs approved by the Secretary may be substituted for days of required sea service under sections 7307 through 7311a and 7313 of this title as follows: (1) Each shore-based training day in the form of classroom lectures may be substituted for 2 days of sea service requirements. (2) Each training day of laboratory training, practical demonstrations, and other similar training, may be substituted for 4 days of sea service requirements. (3) Each training day of full mission simulator training may be substituted for 6 days of sea service requirements. (4) Each training day underway on a vessel while enrolled in an approved training program may be substituted for 1½ days of sea service requirements, as long as— (A) the structured training provided while underway on a vessel is— (i) acceptable to the Secretary as part of the approved training program; and (ii) fully completed by the individual; and (B) the tonnage of such vessel is appropriate to the endorsement being sought. (d) Definition In this section, the term training day means a day that consists of not less than 7 hours of training.. (n) Implementation (1) In general The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the requirements under subsection (c) of section 7306 of title 46, United States Code (as amended by this section), without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note). (2) Section 7315 The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall implement the requirements of section 7315 of title 46, United States Code, as amended by this subsection, without regard to chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, and Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 (5 U.S.C. 601 note) and 14094 (88 Fed. Reg. 21879). (o) Repeal Section 7314 of title 46, United States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 73 of such title, are repealed. (p) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7306 and inserting the following: 7306. General requirements and classifications for members of deck departments.. (q) Amendments to chapter 75 Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 7507 by adding at the end the following: (d) Renewal With respect to any renewal of an active merchant mariner credential issued under this part that is not an extension under subsection (a) or (b), such credential shall begin the day after the expiration of the active credential of the credential holder.; and (2) in section 7510(c)— (A) in the subsection heading by striking Exam review and inserting Working group; (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking 90 days and inserting 180 days; (ii) by striking Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016 and insert Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025; (iii) by striking new questions for inclusion in and inserting questions, content, and relevancy of; (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) as subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I), respectively; and (v) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: (E) at least 2 individuals that have taken and passed the examination in the 5 years before the commissioning of the working group; (F) at least 1 representative from the United States Merchant Marine Academy;; (C) in paragraph (4)— (i) in the paragraph heading by striking Baseline review and inserting Review; (ii) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking Within 1 year and inserting Not later than 270 days; (II) by striking Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2016 and inserting Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025; (III) by striking Secretary and inserting Commandant; (IV) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) as clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vii), respectively; (V) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by striking; and and inserting a semicolon; (VI) by inserting before clause (ii) the following: (i) industry standards, practices, and technology to be considered in the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination;; and (VII) by inserting after clause (iv) the following: (v) the relevancy of examination topics and contents; (vi) any redundancy of core competencies between the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination and Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchingkeeping competencies; and; (iii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Report to Commandant Upon completion of the review under this paragraph, a report shall be provided to the Commandant which shall include findings of the review with recommendations for updates to the Merchant Marine Credentialling Examination.; (D) by striking paragraphs (3), (5), and (8); (E) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (9) as paragraphs (5) and (8), respectively; and (F) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Meeting of working group (A) In general The Commandant shall convene the working group annually or at the creation of new examination questions, whichever occurs sooner. (B) Remote participation The Commandant shall allow any member of the working group to participate remotely if the member of the working group does not have the means to participate in person. (4) Use of questions The Commandant may not use questions developed for use in the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination until such questions are reviewed and approved by the working group.. (r) Plan (1) Requirement Not later than 270 days after the completion of the review under paragraph (4) of subsection (c), the Commandant shall develop a plan to update and modernize the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination and implement the recommendations developed by the review under such paragraph. (2) Contents The plan developed under paragraph (1) shall not diminish demonstrated competency standards and shall include— (A) the elimination of redundant topics between the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination and other examinations required to obtain a Merchant Mariner Credential; (B) the elimination or updating of outdated topics, contents, core competencies, or questions covered by the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination; (C) the modernization of testing procedures consistent with contemporary procedures for standardized testing administration and evaluation; and (D) the development of methods to analyze examination data related to the effectiveness of questions in determining competency. (3) Coordination In developing the plan under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall develop such plan in consultation with the working group and individuals with expertise in modern best practices for relevant standardized testing. (4) Briefing required Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, the Coast Guard shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on the review and plan developed under this subsection. (s) Amendments to chapter 77 Section 7702(d)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) as subclauses (I) through (IV), respectively (and by conforming the margins accordingly); (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively (and by conforming the margins accordingly); (3) by striking an individual if— and inserting the following: an individual— (A) if—; (4) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(IV), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting; or; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (B) if there is probable cause to believe that the individual has violated company policy and is a security risk that poses a threat to other individuals on the vessel.. (t) Technical and conforming amendments (1) Title 46 Title 46, United States Code, is amended— (A) in section 2101(47)(B) by striking; and and inserting; or; (B) in section 2113(3) by striking section 2101(53)(A) and inserting section 2101(55)(A); (C) in section 3202(a)(1)(A) by striking section 2101(29)(A) and inserting section 2101(31)(A); (D) in section 3507(k)(1) by striking section 2101(31) and inserting section 2101(33); (E) in section 4105(d) by striking section 2101(53)(A) and inserting section 2101(55)(A); (F) in section 12119(a)(3) by striking section 2101(26) and inserting section 2101(28); and (G) in section 51706(c)(6)(C)(ii) by striking section 2101(24) and inserting section 2101(26). (2) Other laws (A) Section 3(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(3)) is amended by striking 2101(30) of title 46 and inserting 2101 of title 46. (B) Section 1992(d)(7) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2101(31) of title 46 and inserting section 2101 of title 46. (C) Section 311(a)(26)(D) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(26)(D)) is amended by striking section 2101(23) and inserting section 2101. (D) Section 1101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking Section 2101(23) and inserting Section 2101(24).. (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.