Guide to Medical NVIC 04-08 Issued by U.S. Coast Guard

Rules explained and Coast Guard claims just 72 denials for medical reasons out of 65,000 submitted applications.

As a follow-up to the newly implemented medical evaluations rules (NVIC 04-08), the US Coast Guard has issued Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials. The document provides a statistical breakdown of the medical evaluation process and also lays out the rationale behind the implementation of NVIC. The Coast Guard claims that just “72 of 65,000 applications resulted in a denial.” The document further encourages those denied to seek relief through an appeals process, which is detailed on the Coast Guard’s WEB site.