Posted: December 20, 2013

Updated forms for shipment and discharge of merchant mariners

The following article was released by the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center and is available on the NMC website.

The Office of Management and Budget approved the updated versions of the Coast Guard forms CG-705A and CG-718A, used to execute shipping articles and prepare certificates of discharge for merchant mariners.

• Shipping Articles (CG-705A)
• Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariner (CG-718A)

The obsolete paper format of these forms has been in use since World War II and was last revised in the early 1980s. The data collected on the updated forms is nearly identical to the previous version; however, the size of the forms has significantly changed to the standard paper size (8.5 x 11 inches) to accommodate modern technology.

Availability of these forms to the public will be on or around January 6, 2014. The Coast Guard will not stock the updated forms in paper format. These forms will be available electronically in a PDF fillable format at the National Maritime Center's website.

Mariners and other respondents should contact our Customer Service Center by or at 888-IASKNMC (888-427-5662) with any questions regarding forms.