Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.

The National Maritime Center (NMC) announced it began issuing medical certificates electronically via email effective April 1, providing mariners immediate access to their certificates. The new system brought about the following changes.

All new medical certificates that do not include a medical waiver will be delivered electronically to the mariner’s email address on record as the standard method of issuance. Certificates must be signed to be valid. The NMC also recommended that mariners print and maintain a signed certificate for their use.

“Mariners should ensure their current email address is included on the medical certificate application,” NMC said.

If a medical certificate did not arrive after the launch on April 1, mariners should first check the online status tool to confirm issuance status. If the certificate shows “issued,” contact the NMC Customer Service Center to request the certificate be resent. Submission of an application or affidavit is not required to have a certificate resent.

Electronic delivery for medical certificates that include waivers is currently in development and is expected to be available shortly after initial implementation. These certificates will continue to be handled under current processes until electronic delivery is implemented.

For more information, visit the NMC website or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

DHS Funding

President Donald Trump and two top Republican leaders in Congress took turns announcing that they will use two parallel tracks — appropriations and the reconciliation process — to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

“We are going to work fast,” Trump said in his announcement, explaining that the reconciliation process allows Republicans to bypass the Senate filibuster, which can be used to prevent bills from being passed by a simple majority. ”I am asking that the bill be on my desk no later than June 1.”

In a joint announcement, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not include such a hard deadline and instead said they would act “in the coming days.”

The Republican plan calls for immigration enforcement and border activities to be funded for the next three years, which would cover the balance of the Trump administration.

Other agencies within DHS, such as the Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be funded through the normal appropriations process.

It remained unclear exactly when Congress, specifically the House, would act on passing the Republican plan.

Both chambers are in the middle of a two-week break and are expected to meet again April 6 in a pro forma session, which normally does not include legislative business.

Small Shipyard Grants

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a $35 million investment into revitalizing the nation’s small shipyards. DOT’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) said the investment will go toward upgrading ship repair and construction facilities, purchasing new equipment, including cranes, plasma cutters and welding systems, and bolstering maritime training programs to supercharge the maritime workforce.

“This 300 percent increase in shipyard investments underscores President Trump’s commitment to restoring America’s maritime dominance strategy,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel said the $35 million in grants will empower the domestic maritime industry to modernize facilities, foster competitive operations and equip the American worker with the skills needed to restore the nation’s maritime dominance.

According to DOT, eligible shipyards must be in a single geographic location, may not have more than 1,200 production employees, must construct, repair or reconfigure vessels 40 feet in length or greater for commercial or government use or construct, repair or reconfigure vessels 100 feet in length or greater for non-commercial vessels.

Applicants are encouraged to submit eligible projects as soon as possible but must do so by May 11.