What is a Document of Continuity?

A: The following is a text from the National Maritime Center website:

"According to 46 CFR 10.227(e) mariners who are otherwise unable or unwilling to meet the complete requirements for renewal may have their credential(s) placed into a continuity status. A Document of Continuity does not expire and allows the holder to obtain an active credential by completing the renewal requirements outlined in the CFR. A Document of Continuity does not entitle the holder to serve as a Merchant Mariner and must be applied for prior to the expiration of the 1 year administrative grace period defined in the CFR."

The administrative grace period is defined as such:

"Except as provided herein, a credential may not be renewed more than 12 months after it has expired. To obtain a re-issuance of the credential, an applicant must comply with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section. When an applicant's credential expires during a time of service with the Armed Forces and there is no reasonable opportunity for renewal, including by mail, this period may be extended. The period of military service following the date of expiration which precluded renewal may be added to the 12-month grace period. The 12-month grace period and any extensions do not affect the expiration date of the credential. A license, MMD, COR, STCW endorsement, MMC, and any endorsements thereon, are not valid for use after the expiration date."

Also:

"Whenever an applicant applies for re-issuance of an endorsement as deck officer, engineer officer, or qualified rating more than 12 months after expiration, instead of the requirements of paragraph (d)(8) of this section, the applicant must demonstrate continued professional knowledge by completing a course approved for this purpose, or by passing the complete examination. The examination may be oral-assisted if the expired credential was awarded on an oral exam. The fees set forth in §10.219 apply to these examinations. In the case of an expired radio officer's endorsement, the endorsement may be issued upon presentation of a valid first or second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission."

The following are the documents one needs to place his or her credentials in continuity:

Merchant Mariner's Application (Form CG-719B)
MMC Application Form as a fillable PDF (Form CG-719B-F5)
Continuity Renewal Statement