National Maritime Center Unveiled in Martinsburg
The U.S. Coast Guard officially opened the National Maritime Center (NMC) to the public at a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday in Martinsburg. The NMC is a 60,000-square-foot facility that will be home to the U.S. Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation Production and the Merchant Mariner Training Course Approval and Oversight Program.
Commanding Officer at the NMC Captain David Stalfort said the new facility will play a big role in streamlining the application process. He said a record has already been set with 3,200 credentials processed in June alone. The NMC is located on
The NMC is not fully staffed yet; but is expected to employ around 200 military, federal civilian and contract employees with another 100 employees working at the 17 Regional Examination Centers around the country, which will work as “storefronts and advocates” for mariners.
Martinsburg Mayor George Karos attended the event. He said it is another sign of growth in the area and that the new facility is a welcome addition to the community. The city was instrumental in obtaining the property for the building and Karos explained that the city also helped expedite the process to help keep up with the schedule put forth by the Coast Guard. Construction began in January 2007 and the facility was ready on January 7, 2008.
Other speakers at the event included Rear Admiral James Watson, Director of Prevention Policy, Mr. Robert Hewell, Assistant Regional Administrator for Public Buildings Service, GSA and Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship with the Coast Guard.
