- Vision [1]
- The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) makes recommendations that influence the development of Coast Guard
regulations and policies affecting personnel in the US Merchant Marine, including but not limited to: training, qualifications,
certification, documentation, and fitness standards. The Committee provides valuable advice to the Commandant to assist the
U.S. in formulating and presenting its positions to the International Maritime Organization on maritime matters. Specifically,
MERPAC continues its work in support of the Coast Guard’s efforts to bring the United States into full compliance with the
1995 amendments to the International Convention for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978
(STCW). In doing so, the Committee has provided recommendations regarding methodologies for determining mariner competency
which are valuable in helping formulate upcoming regulatory projects. MERPAC also developed examples of model performance
standards for fifteen areas of knowledge and proficiency in Table A of STCW giving priorities to those tasks best assessed
aboard ship. The Committee also provided recommendations to the Coast Guard on programs to revise the testing for advancement
of engineering officers with limited horsepower licenses, with unlimited horsepower licenses, and for deck officers to conform
to the STCW. The Committee is presently working on the utilization of military sea service in obtaining STCW certificates
and mariner license and document reorganization. MERPAC recently provided the Coast Guard with recommendations to consider
in the upcoming comprehensive review of the STCW. In addition, the committee provided invaluable assistance in the revision
of a recently signed and published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) concerning medical standards for merchant
mariners' documents and licenses.
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