[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 172 (Thursday, September 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 50546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19411]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0408]


Guidance: Change 3 to NVIC 24-14 Guidelines on Qualification for 
STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating on Vessels Powered by 
Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 KW/1,000 HP or More

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of Change 3 to 
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 24-14: Guidelines on 
Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) 
on Vessels Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or 
More. This NVIC provides guidance to mariners concerning STCW 
endorsements for ETR, including training and qualifications. This 
change notice revises NVIC 24-14 to indicate that the Coast Guard will 
allow mariners to qualify for an STCW endorsement as ETR without 
completing approved training for high voltage systems or computer 
systems and maintenance.

DATES: The policies announced in Change-3 to NVIC 24-14 are effective 
as of August 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this notice, search the 
docket number USCG-2021-0408 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, 
contact James Cavo, Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-
MMC-2), Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1205; email MMCPolicy@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard will use NVIC 24-14 and 46 
CFR part 12 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold STCW 
rating endorsements as Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) on Vessels 
Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or More. As 
specified in 46 CFR 12.611, mariners seeking this endorsement must 
complete an approved training for High Voltage Systems and Computer 
Systems and Maintenance. The standards of competence requirements for 
STCW endorsements as ETR are found in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code. 
That STCW table does not include standards of competence relevant to 
high voltage systems or computer systems and maintenance.
    The Coast Guard will not enforce the requirement for approved 
courses in Computer Systems and Maintenance or High Voltage Systems for 
an ETR endorsement because it places a higher training burden on U.S. 
mariners compared to what is required of the international maritime 
workforce for a similar endorsement. The time and cost for a mariner to 
complete these courses outweighs any benefit the course would provide 
because the mariner does not use this knowledge and proficiency in 
their ETR capacity. Therefore, we have determined this training 
requirement goes beyond the skillset necessary and the level of 
responsibility associated with an ETR endorsement, and thus is 
unnecessary and overly burdensome. For these reasons, this Commandant 
Change Notice will allow mariners to qualify for an STCW endorsement as 
ETR without completing approved training for computer systems and 
maintenance and for high voltage power systems.
    The approved High Voltage Power Systems training courses will still 
be required and utilized for the Electro-Technical Officer endorsement.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: September 2, 2021.
J.W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention 
Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021-19411 Filed 9-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


