§7512 Requirements of Electronic Merchant Mariner Credentialing System

Summary

Require the Secretary to set up an electronic system for issuing merchant mariner credentials. The system must let people upload application pieces and course approval requests online. Employers, training schools, and other groups must be able to send verification and certificates directly and securely. The Coast Guard must be able to process and review applications and course approvals electronically, including doing reviews remotely. The Secretary must give the Maritime Administration and other federal agencies access to anonymized, combined data from the system. That data must at least show total sea service per credential holder; how many mariners hold each rating and their endorsements; basic demographics (age, gender, region or address); estimated processing times for credentials, medical certificates, and course approvals; the number of approved training providers and how many classes their students take; and, if relevant, applicants’ military branch and duty status. The information must be collected in a way that protects people’s privacy. merchant mariner credential — a license, certificate, or document the Secretary can issue under this title.