IMPORTANT NOTE:
Per policy letter 03-19, to renew a radar observer endorsement, a mariner must provide evidence of one of the following:
1. Completing an appropriate approved or accepted original, refresher, or recertification course
2. Having instructed a Coast Guard approved or accepted radar course at least twice within the past five years;
3. Having at least one year of relevant sea service within the last five years in a position that routinely uses radar for navigation and collision avoidance purposes.
Mariners will be considered to have met the requirements for relevant service routinely using radar for navigation or collision avoidance if they have at least one year of service as master or mate in the previous five years that was obtained on the following vessels that are required to be fitted with radar, tonnage thresholds expressed in terms of "gross tons" are applied using GRT, if assigned, and GT ITC if GRT is not assigned:
1.Tankships of 1,600 gross tons or more subject to inspection under 46 CFR Subchapter D in ocean or coastwise service
2. Passenger vessels of 1,600 gross tons or more subject to inspection under 46 CFR Subchapter H in ocean or coastwise service
3. Cargo and miscellaneous vessels of 1,600 gross tons or more subject to inspection under 46 CFR Subchapter I in ocean or coastwise service
4. Offshore supply vessels (OSVs) over 100 gross tons subject to inspection under 46 CFR Subchapter L
5. Public nautical school ships of 1,600 gross tons or more subject to inspection under 46 CFR Subchapter R in ocean or coastwise service and
6. Oceanographic research vessels of 1,600 gross tons or more subject to inspection under 46 CFR Subchapter U over in ocean or coastwise service.
Mariners who have served on vessels other than those listed above, or in capacities other than master or mate should provide documentation of their relevant service on a vessel equipped with radar in a position in which they routinely used radar for navigation and collision avoidance purposes.
Mariners who have served as a pilot who are seeking to renew a radar observer endorsement should provide a letter from a pilot's association indicating that the vessels piloted were equipped with radar, and that radar was used by the pilot for navigation and collision avoidance purposes.
Service on vessels that do not get underway or occasionally get underway for short voyages will only be credited for days the vessel was underway.
Mariners applying for renewal of an MMC who do not provide evidence of meeting the renewal requirements will not have a radar observer endorsement placed on their MMC .
Mariners may have a radar endorsement added or restored to their MMC at any time upon application to the National Maritime Center.
This rule will become effective on July 22, 2019.
