MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE  

(MERPAC)

 

Originally Formed:  January 23, 1992      

Original Status:  Discretionary Committee

Original Authority:  Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)

Current Status:  Statutory Committee (Beginning December 18, 2014)

Current Authority:  Section 310 of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Codified as 46 USC 8108)

Function:  Acts solely in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine including training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness standards and other matters, as assigned.

Meetings:  Meets not less than twice each year, usually once in the D.C. area, once throughout the country to provide access to the public.

Composition:  19 Members (Term Length 3 years)

  • Nine United States citizens with active licenses or certificates issued under chapter 71 or merchant mariner documents issued under chapter 73, including—
    • Three deck officers who represent the viewpoint of merchant marine deck officers, of whom—
      • Two shall be licensed for oceans any gross tons.
      • One shall be licensed for inland river route with a limited or unlimited tonnage.
      • Two shall have a master's license or a master of towing vessels license.
      • One shall have significant tanker experience; and
        • to the extent practicable—
          • One shall represent the viewpoint of labor; and
          • another shall represent a management perspective.
    • Three engineering officers who represent the viewpoint of merchant marine engineering officers, of whom— 
      • Two shall be licensed as chief engineer any horsepower.
      • One shall be licensed as either a limited chief engineer or a designated duty engineer; and
        • to the extent practicable—
          • One shall represent a labor viewpoint; and
          • another shall represent a management perspective.
    • Two unlicensed seamen, of whom—
      • One shall represent the viewpoint of able-bodied seamen; and
      • another shall represent the viewpoint of qualified members of the engine department; and
    • One pilot who represents the viewpoint of merchant marine pilots.
  • Six marine educators, including—
    • Three marine educators who represent the viewpoint of maritime academies, including—
      • Two who represent the viewpoint of State maritime academies and are jointly recommended by such State maritime academies; and
      • One who represents either the viewpoint of the State maritime academies or the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and
    • Three marine educators who represent the viewpoint of other maritime training institutions, one of whom shall represent the viewpoint of the small vessel industry;
  • Two individuals who represent the viewpoint of shipping companies employed in ship operation management; and 
  • Two members who are appointed from the general public.

DFO:                            Ms. Mayte Medina                    

ADFOs:                        Ms. Anne Wehde      

                                      Mr. Luke Harden                                      

                                      Mr. Davis Breyer