b'WHY DID THE COAST GUARD SHIFT TO A06-23MerchantMarinerCredentialingDelays.MSIB FOGHORN FOCUS NEW CREDENTIAL FORMAT? 06-23 remains valid and allows for a mariner to work prior ThecomplexityanddegradedreliabilityoftheNMCsto having their credential in hand once certain verification previous custom printers necessitated a change. The pass- measures are met. Collectively, these problems necessitated port-style printers were closing in on 10 years of servicethe move to a new credential format.and maintenance times were growing. Replacement parts were limited and often fabricated after a part broke. ServiceThe Coast Guard evaluated options for the new style of technicians were a nearly constant presence and kept thecredentialandselectedoneformattedonan8.5x11, printers running, but often a repaired printer would sufferwaterproof,andtear-resistantsyntheticpaper.Thenew other problems shortly after, requiring another techniciancredential contains numerous security features including visit. Printer problems were not the only challenge faced bymicroprinting,foiling,andintricatepatterns.Themost the NMCthe laminate used to cover the pages was ap- significant improvement, however, is the ability to print on plied by hand because the reliability of the printer applica- readily available commercial desktop laser printers, which tion was low and resulted in damaged credentials that hadwill dramatically improve reliability and the speed with to be reprinted. The need to hand-laminate further delayedwhicheachcredentialcanbeproduced.Theimproved credential processing and moved staff away from other im- reliability has already been realized, as a high production portant duties. In March 2023, delay times to print a cre- day shortly after the new credential went live resulted in dential ran as high as 18 days. In April 2023, recognizingone printer producing 488 credentials. This total is double the impact of printing delays at the NMC, the U.S. Coastwhat the passport-style printers could do when working Guard issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB)without problems.RENDERING: NATIONAL MARITIME CENTERFOGHORN 30'