Coast Guard eliminates new sailors’ oath | Work boat

The Coast Guard removes one more barrier to becoming a professional mariner. Starting Jan. 19, new sailors will no longer need to take an oath before a notary or Coast Guard official.

The Coast Guard has determined that requiring an oath before an authorized representative is a redundant step in the initial Merchant Mariner Certification (MMC) application process. The sailors are already signing the Application for merchant seaman title (form CG-719B)where a person attests to “swear or solemnly affirm” to comply with the requirements of the oath, which is legally binding on them. Therefore, the Coast Guard has determined that no additional requirements are necessary before engaging an authorized representative.

“It’s great to see the Coast Guard taking steps to modernize its processes while removing barriers to mariners entering the workforce,” said Jonathan Kabak, executive director of OHPRI, a Rhode Island Maritime Workforce Development Program.

The Coast Guard found that the fees new sailors charge to take the oath vary from state to state, with the lowest amount being two dollars and the highest being $25. In addition to the oath fee, new sailors also had to find a notary willing to administer the Coast Guard oath, as well as take time off work and attend appointments.

Removing this step from the application process will save the estimate 13,951 new sailors obtaining their first MMC each year both time and money. This is a positive step by the Coast Guard to help increase the number of accredited mariners in the United States by removing historical barriers that have prevented becoming a professional mariner.