Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.
Newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin identified his first priority as getting his agency funded, which would end the weeks-old partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“DHS is bigger than any political party,” said the former Oklahoma Republican senator, who won Senate confirmation with a 54-45 vote. “It’s time to end the partisan bickering.”
It appears Mullin will have to settle for more finger pointing as negotiations drag on without a clear path around the impasse that focuses on funding and changes for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Unless the long security lines at airports across the nation build enough pressure to force members of Congress to change their plans, lawmakers are scheduled to leave the Capitol for a two-week break. In addition to the Transportation Security Administration, other DHS components hit by the funding lapse include the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA Review Extended
Originally created in January 2025 for one year, President Donald Trump’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council has been extended for a second time.
Trump signed another executive order continuing the council until May 29 or until 10 days after the report required under the president’s original order on January 24, 2025, is submitted to the president.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will play a major role as the review council continues its work. During his confirmation hearing, Mullin’s comments about FEMA’s future indicated he would take a much different approach than Kristi Noem, his predecessor at DHS.
“It needs to be restructured, not eliminated,” he said of FEMA.
When asked about reports that Noem had to sign off on payments of more than $100,000, Mullin said that would be the type of micromanaging he would not accept.
E15 Gasoline Sales
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver to allow nationwide sales of E15 — gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol — and to remove all federal impediments to selling E10, gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol, across the country.
According to EPA, Zeldin’s emergency action will fortify the domestic fuel supply, provide price relief at the pump and increase fuel supply and consumer choice ahead of the summer driving season.
“The Trump administration has made great strides on this during the first year and will continue to do so,” Zeldin said.
Beginning on May 1, the EPA said its waivers will work to prevent disruption in the nation’s fuel supply by keeping E15 on the market and giving Americans more fuel options.
NMC Update
The National Maritime Center (NMC) issued its second update to mitigate the impact of the ongoing funding lapse and partial government shutdown.
Superseding NMC’s first update on February 20, the second update includes the following changes:
Merchant mariner credentials (national endorsements only) and medical certificates (national and pilot expiration dates only) that expire between January 1 and April 30 will remain valid until June 30. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential and a copy of the NMC policy letter while sailing under the authority of those credentials.
International Convention Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after January 1, provided a renewal application was submitted to the NMC and the employer applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation.
STCW dispensations that are approved will expire up to August 31. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners must carry the letter and a copy of relevant NMC bulletin with the MMC. Requests for dispensation must be submitted via email with a subject line “STCW Dispensation” to STCWDispensations@uscg.mil and must include the following information: vessel name, IMO number, vessel tonnage, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, credential issuance and expiration dates, company name, company point of contact and valid mariner email address.
Regarding medical certificates, in accordance with STCW Regulation I/9, when the STCW expiration date of a medical certificate occurs during a voyage, the certificate remains valid for three months from the expiration date.
Additional information letters, approval to test letters, mariner training course completion certificates and drug test letters that expire between February and April are extended until June 30. Qualified assessor and designated examiner certification letters and course approvals that expire between February and April 2026 also are extended until June 30.
Regarding examinations, mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to February 13 may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens. Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service. Ninety-day retest periods were paused beginning February 13 and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service. For other questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, email at IASKNMC@uscg.mil or phone at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
ASAP Issues Resolved
The National Maritime Center (NMC) announced it has resolved technical difficulties affecting the Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) that had blocked the submission of applications.
“The portal is now available, and mariners may resume submitting applications and documents,” the NMC stated.
Updates on system availability can be found on the NMC website. For additional information, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, email at IASKNMC@uscg.mil or phone at1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
