ON Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 5 p.m., 500 Sails will host a “hands-on application session” to help interested parties fill out the merchant mariner credential application or MMC.
An MMC is a required document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard that allows mariners to work aboard ships.
The application session will take place at the 500 Sails Cultural Maritime Training Center. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Email addresses are also required as part of the application process.
500 Sails said its staff can review all paperwork before submission to make sure everything is complete and ready to send.
Andrea Carr, 500 Sails program coordinator, said the process can be “long” and “requires a lot of planning ahead.”
She said applicants need to first obtain a Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential, which, in turn, has its own application process. One needs to fill out a CG-719B application for a merchant mariner credential and a CG-719K or CG-719K/E application for a medical certificate. One must also obtain a drug test using a CG-719P drug test form; pay fees; document sea service; among other things.
According to Carr, in total, applicants will pay between $400 and $500 in fees during the application processes.
For more information, email info@500sails.org or call (670) 323-7245.
