Merchant mariner credentialing

(a) Revising merchant mariner deck training requirements (1) General definitions Section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (A) 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 (B) 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 (C) 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.. (2) Examinations Section 7116 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (c). (3) Merchant mariners documents (A) General requirements Section 7306 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 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.. (B) Implementation 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). (C) 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.. (b) General requirements for members of engine departments (1) In general Section 7313 of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (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 an 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.. (2) 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. (c) Training (1) In general Section 7315 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 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 1 ½ 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.. (2) Implementation 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). (3) Technical and conforming amendments (A) Title 46 Title 46, United States Code, is amended— (i) in section 2113(3) by striking section 2101(53)(A) and inserting section 2101(55)(A); (ii) in section 3202(a)(1)(A) by striking section 2101(29)(A) and inserting section 2101(31)(A); (iii) in section 3507(k)(1) by striking section 2101(31) and inserting section 2101(33); (iv) in section 4105(d) by striking section 2101(53)(A) and inserting section 2101(55)(A); (v) in section 12119(a)(3) by striking section 2101(26) and inserting section 2101(28); and (vi) in section 51706(c)(6)(C)(ii) by striking section 2101(24) and inserting section 2101(26). (B) Other laws (i) 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. (ii) 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. (iii) 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. (iv) Section 1101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking Section 2101(23) and inserting Section 2101(24). (d) Amendments (1) Merchant mariner Credentials The heading for part E of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking MERCHANT SEAMEN LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND DOCUMENTS and inserting MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS. (2) Able seafarers—unlimited (A) In general The section heading for section 7307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (B) Reduction of length of certain period of service Section 7307 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 3 years and inserting 18 months. (C) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item relating to section 7307 by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (3) Able seamen—limited (A) In general The section heading for section 7308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (B) Reduction of length of certain period of service Section 7308 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 18 months and inserting 12 months. (C) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item relating to section 7308 by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (4) Able seafarers—special (A) In general The section heading for section 7309 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (B) Reduction of length of certain period of service Section 7309 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking 12 months and inserting 6 months. (C) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item relating to section 7309 by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (5) Able seafarers—offshore supply vessels (A) In general The section heading for section 7310 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (B) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item relating to section 7310 by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (6) Able seafarers—sail (A) In general The section heading for section 7311 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (B) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item relating to section 7311 by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (7) Able seamen—fishing industry (A) In general The section heading for section 7311a of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (B) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 73 of title 46, United States Code, is further amended in the item relating to section 7311a by striking seamen and inserting seafarers. (8) Parts E and F Parts E and F of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking seaman and inserting seafarer each place it appears; and (B) by striking seamen and inserting seafarers each place it appears. (9) Clerical amendments The analysis for subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended in the item relating to part E by striking MERCHANT SEAMEN LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND DOCUMENTS and inserting MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALS. (10) Temporary reduction of lengths of certain periods of service Section 3534(j) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31) is repealed. (11) Merchant mariner credentials Section 7510 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (d). (e) Renewal of merchant mariner licenses and documents Section 7507 of title 46, United States Code, is amended 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.. (f) Merchant seamen licenses, certificates, and documents; manning of vessels (1) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality (A) In general Section 7102 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) Clerical amendment 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.. (2) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality notation on merchant mariners’ documents (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 national (as such term is described in section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)) after citizen. (B) Clerical amendment 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.. (3) Citizenship or noncitizen nationality (A) In general 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)(1)(A) by inserting or noncitizen national after citizen; 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).. (B) Clerical amendment 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.. (4) 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. (5) 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.