by Pearl Marvell

Photo above: Capt. Bradley Clare, Commanding Officer NMC holds the first merchant mariner credential bearing his signature. Official Coast Guard photo

U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center’s (NMC) Commanding Officer Captain Bradley Clare will discuss “Updates to Mariner Credentialing” via Zoom on February 9 at 1830 EST. The seminar is hosted by the Professional Captains Association invites all PCA members and guests to send questions to Capt. Clare in advance of his presentation via the form below.

These will be answered live by Capt. Clare with an opportunity for you to follow up and discuss with him. A recorded version of the presentation will be available on the Confident Captain YouTube channel the following day.

Capt. Clare has been in the Coast Guard for over 18 years and stepped into the role of Commanding Officer at the National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia in July of 2021. Prior to that, he worked as chief of the Office of Port and Facility Compliance in Washington D.C.

During COVID-19, the National Maritime Center quickly transitioned from a paper-based application process to an electronic application process to help alleviate impacts from workforce shortages, keep members safe, and to not disrupt the credential process. 

In August 2021, a letter by Capt. Clare was posted on The Coast Guard for Maritime Professionals blog. It reads, “it is of the utmost importance that we assist individuals waiting to receive their initial or upgraded merchant mariner credentials....not only because it is important to the strength of the MTS, but because we realize this is your livelihood.”

The NMC serves licensing needs for approximately 200,000 credentialed mariners. Annually, the NMC issues approximately 60,000 credentials, 60,000 medical certificates and approves 2,900 training courses.

Capt. Clare has a Master’s Degree in Quality Systems Management from The National Graduate School and a Bachelor’s in Government from the US Coast Guard Academy. He has worked in various roles in the Coast Guard all over the country throughout his long career.

In order to better understand the requirements for the Merchant Mariner Credential process and to determine the officer level or rating that you wish to achieve, click on the links below: 

• Confident Captain USCG Student Application Guidelines
• Confident Captain Licensing Forms & Checklists
• National Maritime Center Checklists
• National Maritime Center Merchant Mariner Credential

Recording from the February 8th Seminar with Capt. Clare: