Mariner Survey Pre-Test

The Maritime Administration intends to conduct a Pre-Test for a survey of individuals who hold appropriate merchant mariner credentials issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. This voluntary Mariner Survey Pre-Test information collection is limited to cognitive interviews and a pilot survey of a sample of credentialed U.S. merchant mariners to validate and improve the design of a questionnaire and other components for a subsequent full Mariner Survey. Cognitive interviews will be conducted either online or over telephone; pilot survey responses will be primarily conducted online, with a mail survey option. Upon completion of this Pre-Test collection and analysis, MARAD intends to request separate approval for the full biennial Mariner Survey of all appropriately credentialed U.S. merchant mariners to determine the number of qualified mariners who are available and willing to serve on short notice on U.S. government-owned sealift ships or commercial ships during a period of national need. The most recent survey of this scope was completed in 2002. The availability of a reliable, current estimate on the number of mariners willing to serve in times of war, armed conflict, or national emergency is critical to the U.S. national security.

The latest form for Mariner Survey Pre-Test expires 2026-08-31 and can be found here.