The National Maritime Center is recommending that mariners renew their credentials at least 90 days in advance. The MNC has been seeing “a significant surge in application submissions for Merchant Mariner Credentials over the past several months,” according to National Maritime Center Commanding Officer Capt. Bradley W. Clare, U.S. Coast Guard. “NMC staff are taking prompt action to process these applications, along with any previously pending applications, as quickly as possible.” To avoid delays, the NMC is asking mariners to apply early for renewals, which mariners can apply eight months in advance of expiration; review applications with those at the…