Coast Guard Ditches Six Outdated Mariner Training Requirements
Published Date: 10/1/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard wants to simplify training rules for certain mariners, like Masters and Officers in charge of smaller vessels and engineers with big engines. They’re removing six outdated or duplicate requirements to make things clearer and easier while matching international standards. If you’re affected, get ready to share your thoughts by December 30, 2026—no extra costs, just smoother sailing ahead!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Remove LMS training for small-ship Masters
If you are a Master of a vessel under 500 gross tonnage (GT) limited to near-coastal waters, the Coast Guard proposes to remove the requirement to complete Leadership and Managerial Skills (LMS) training to get or renew an STCW endorsement. The proposal estimates about 172 Masters would benefit each year and reports an annualized mariner cost savings of $991,977 and a 10-year savings of $6,967,231 (7% discount).
Drop BRM training for small-ship watch officers
If you are an Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) on vessels under 500 GT limited to near-coastal waters, the Coast Guard proposes to remove the Bridge Resource Management (BRM) training requirement for STCW endorsements. The proposal estimates about 25 mariners would benefit each year and reports an annualized mariner cost savings of $98,545 and a 10-year savings of $692,139 (7% discount).
Remove ETSO training for engineering officers
If you are qualifying as an Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW) in a manned engineroom or as a Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) in a periodically unmanned engineroom on vessels with propulsion ≥750 kW / 1,000 HP, the Coast Guard proposes to remove the Engineering Terminology and Shipboard Operations (ETSO) course requirement for STCW endorsements. The proposal estimates about 460 mariners would benefit each year and reports an annualized mariner cost savings of $4,920,634 and a 10-year savings of $34,560,474 (7% discount).
Total estimated cost savings to mariners and government
The Coast Guard estimates that removing the six identified training and competency requirements would save mariners and the Federal Government about $42,817,136 over 10 years (discounted at 7%), with annualized savings of about $6,096,197 (7% discount). Using perpetual discounting to 2024 dollars, the Coast Guard estimates annualized savings of $3,833,921.
Remove LTW competency requirement for renewals
If you are an OICNW on vessels under 500 GT limited to near-coastal waters, the Coast Guard proposes removing the requirement to demonstrate meeting the leadership and teamworking (LTW) standard of competence to obtain or renew the STCW endorsement. The proposal estimates annualized mariner cost savings of $83,094 and a 10-year savings of $583,617 (7% discount), and identifies about 168 mariners benefiting per year.
Remove CSM and HVPS training for ETR endorsements
If you seek an Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) endorsement for vessels with propulsion ≥750 kW / 1,000 HP, the Coast Guard proposes to remove Computer Systems and Maintenance (CSM) and High Voltage Power Systems (HVPS) course requirements. The Coast Guard did not estimate cost savings for these removals because 46 CFR part 15 currently has no vessel manning requirement for an ETR and the affected population could not be determined.
Reinstate endorsements without 2017 LMS renewal
The proposed rule would remove transitional language tied to January 1, 2017. If a mariner held an STCW endorsement and has not renewed it since January 1, 2017, they would not need to complete LMS training to reinstate that endorsement if the final rule is published. The proposal also removes similar January 1, 2017 transitional references for LTW skills.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13137, Marine Casualty Reporting on the Outer Continental Shelf
Starting July 30, 2026, companies working on the Outer Continental Shelf must report marine accidents based on who’s involved, not just where they happen. The rule raises the damage cost that triggers a report from $25,000 to $75,000, saving businesses money and making rules clearer and fairer. This change cuts industry costs by over $10,000 in 10 years and aligns U.S. rules with international standards for offshore activities.
2026-08699, Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast
The Coast Guard is making the Atlantic Coast safer for ships by setting up special shipping lanes from New York to Florida. They’re reopening the comment period until June 22, 2026, so everyone can share their thoughts before the rules are finalized. This affects ship operators and coastal communities, aiming to keep sea travel smooth and safe without extra costs right now.
2026-20122, Safety Zone; St. Lawrence River, Massena, NY
From September 30 to October 3, 2026, the Coast Guard is setting up two temporary safety zones on the St. Lawrence River near Massena, NY. These zones keep boats and people out to protect everyone during the replacement of overhead electrical wires. If you’re boating there, expect restricted access but no fees or long-term changes.
2026-20121, Special Local Regulations; Englewood Beach Offshore Championship; Gulf of America; Englewood, FL
The Coast Guard is setting special rules for boats during the OPA World Championships near Englewood Beach, FL, on October 10-11, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you're boating in the area, you must follow the Patrol Commander's instructions to keep everyone safe. This means some boating activities might be limited, so plan ahead and stay alert!
2026-20124, Safety Zone; Sector Mobile Captain of the Port Zone, Mobile, AL
The Coast Guard wants to create temporary safety zones in Mobile Bay and Mobile River to keep people and boats safe while the old aircraft carrier EX ENTERPRISE is towed in and dismantled. These zones will be off-limits unless you get special permission, and the work is expected to finish by December 2030. If you have thoughts, you need to share them by October 16, 2026—no fees or costs for the public, just safety first!
2026-19945, Safety Zone; Bridge Demolition, Upper Mississippi River, Chester, IL
The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone on the Upper Mississippi River near Chester, IL, from September 28 to 30, 2026, to keep everyone safe during bridge demolition. Boats and people can’t enter this area unless they get special permission. This quick action helps protect workers, boaters, and the environment without any delays or extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-20084, Extension of Reexportation Period.
The DEA is proposing to give companies more time—up to 365 days instead of 180—to send controlled substances back out of the European Economic Area. This change helps businesses avoid rushing and reduces stress around shipping deadlines. If you handle these substances, you can share your thoughts by November 30, 2026.
Next: 2026-20101, Air Plan Approval; OR; Lane County Title 36 Rule
The EPA wants to approve updates to Lane County’s air pollution rules to better match Oregon’s state standards. These changes clarify how to handle extra pollution, fix confusing terms, and make local rules easier to enforce. If you live or work in Lane County, these updates could affect how pollution is managed, and you have until November 2, 2026, to share your thoughts.