The U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has issued a new policy letter extending the recency period for sea service requirements from three to seven years for all applicants seeking national officer endorsements. This change, effective immediately, addresses a longstanding inequality between military and civilian mariners and allows those returning from sabbaticals to use previous sea service to upgrade their credentials without reacquiring recent experience. Mariners whose applications were previously denied due to insufficient recent sea service are now eligible to re-apply under the updated policy, which aims to reduce industry burdens and support mariner career progression.