Safety & Suitability

Every application that requires a safety and suitability evaluation is completed by the Safety and Suitability Evaluation Branch. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the primary source for conducting background investigations. The Code of Federal Regulations is also used to determine the safety and suitability of an applicant.

The Next Phase

The evaluator will determine if the mariner is able to move to the next phase of the process. If the application is missing required TWIC, citizenship, proof of lawful permanent residence/nationality, or conviction statement an Awaiting Information (AI) Letter will be sent to the mariner, which will delay credential issuance.

Conviction Statement

Each applicant must disclose all convictions in section III of the application CG 719B (Application) that were not previously disclosed.

Conviction Statement (CG-719C)

If an applicant pleads guilty to or is given one of the following, in any jurisdiction, they are considered to have received a conviction:

Guilty / no contest
Deferred adjudication
Required class attendance

Contributions of time / money
Receive treatment

Probation / supervision
Forgo appeal of court’s conviction

Expungement of a conviction will not negate a conviction unless the expungement shows that the court's earlier conviction was in error.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

The NMC uses TSA data from a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) as its major source for safety and suitability checks.

Visit our TWIC page for more details.

Driving Record

All applicants must give their consent to a check of their National Driver Registry (NDR) record for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Reckless Driving convictions. The Coast Guard will consider offenses such as operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or reckless driving conviction only within the last three years, unless the applicant driver’s license is currently under suspension or revocation. Prior to the Coast Guard denying the application, the applicant will be supplied the information found in the NDR check and be given the opportunity to comment.

Criminal Record

The applicant’s criminal record will be reviewed for convictions that show evidence of a mariner’s unsuitability for the duties and responsibilities of the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) applied for.

Safe and suitable person means a person whose prior record, including but not limited to criminal record and / or National Driver Registry record, provides no information indicating that his or her character and habits of life would support the belief that permitting such a person to serve under the MMC sought would clearly be a threat to the safety of life or property, detrimental to good discipline, or adverse to the interests of the United States. See 46 CFR 10.211 & 10.213 for the regulations associated with this definition.

ID / Citizenship

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent residence can be submitted to the Coast Guard through the Transportation Security Administration with a TWIC application. If the National Maritime Center does not consider the proof adequate, it may require the applicant to supply additional proof to meet the requirement found in 46 CFR 10.221. Guidance on what information can be submitted to resolve this can be located in the Citizenship document.

National Abandoned Vessel Program

Purpose:

Abandoned and derelict vessels are a persistent issue in U.S. waterways, contributing to environmental degradation, obstructing navigation, and imposing financial burdens on local, state, and federal agencies. Current efforts to address this issue are fragmented and underfunded, limiting the ability to mitigate risks effectively and prevent future occurrences. Early intervention often reduces the complexity of removal, overall cost, and harm to local to waterway.

Strategic Alignment:
Section 250 of the 2025 U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act supports and aligns with the Coast Guard’s strategic goals of ensuring maritime safety, protecting the marine environment, and promoting economic prosperity. These priorities are foundational to the Coast Guard’s operational framework and align with broader Force Design 2028 initiatives focused on modernizing and enhancing operational capabilities.

Failure to address abandoned and derelict vessels will result in increased environmental damage, higher removal costs, and risks to navigation safety.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Several challenges hinder the seamless integration of state ADV data into a national system:

Lack of a unified federal framework: While various federal agencies have roles in addressing ADVs, there is no single law that holds vessel owners accountable or provides consistent funding for removal.
Inconsistent state laws and funding: The patchwork of state laws and funding mechanisms makes it difficult to implement a standardized national approach.
Difficulty in tracking ownership: Identifying the owners of abandoned vessels can be a major hurdle, especially for older vessels with incomplete records.

High costs of removal: The cost of removing and disposing of an ADV can be substantial, often exceeding the value of the vessel.

Despite these challenges, there is a clear trend toward greater collaboration and data sharing. The new national databases from the BoatUS Foundation and the USCG are critical steps in the right direction. Furthermore, proposed federal legislation, such as the "Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Act," could provide the necessary funding and legal authority to create a truly national program.

For states, the key to successful integration will be to:

Adopt standardized data collection and reporting practices.
Utilize the available national databases to both contribute and access information.
Advocate for consistent federal funding and clear legal frameworks.
Collaborate with neighboring states and federal agencies to share information and resources.

By working together, states and federal agencies can create a more effective and efficient system for managing the problem of abandoned and derelict vessels, protecting our waterways, and ensuring navigational safety for all.

Resources:

2025 USCG Authorization Act.
2017 GAO Report

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