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Coast Guard proposes new ID requirements for mariners

The Coast Guard has proposed a rule that would require crew members on U.S. commercial vessels returning to the U.S. from a foreign place of departure, as well as crew members aboard foreign vessels bound for U.S. ports, to "carry and present upon demand acceptable identification when in U.S. navigable waters."

The Coast Guard proposed rule, published in today's Federal Register, defines "acceptable identification" as:
  • A passport
  • A U.S. Permanent Resident Card
  • A U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
  • A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by TSA
  • A Seafarer’s Identification Document
"We understand that crewmembers commonly secure their identification and other important documents on the vessel, typically with the master, and we consider this practice consistent with the requirements of this proposed rule if the identification is aboard and can be presented upon demand," the Coast Guard stated.

Comments on the proposed rule and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility at the Department of Transportation on or before July 14, 2008. Comments need to be identified by Coast Guard docket number USCG-2007-28648.

To avoid duplication, it is requested that only one of the following methods be used for submitting comments:
  • Online: http://www.regulations.gov
  • Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30)
    U.S. Department of Transportation
    Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor
    1200 new Jersey Ave. SE
    Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
  • Fax: (202) 493-2251
Comments on collection of information must also be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. To ensure the comments are received on time, the preferred method is or fax at (202) 395–6566. An alternate, slower, method is by U.S. Mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, ATTN: Desk Officer, U.S. Coast Guard.

For further information about the proposed rule, contact either Lt. Cmdr. Derek D’Orazio, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Operating and Environmental Standards, telephone (202) 372–1405 and , or Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Maiorine, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Port and Facility Activities, telephone (202) 372–1133 and e-mail . If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826.

The proposed rule published in the Federal Register, complete with instructions for submitting comments, is available on this site: click here