JUNE 16, 2026 – Recognizing the indispensable role and daily dangers faced by Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARs), the U.S. Navy has officially designated several key maritime regions as hazard areas, authorizing premium pay when operating in these dangerous waters.
The designation serves as a direct acknowledgment of the significant risks these mariners shoulder to support naval operations in hazardous areas around the world.
The Hazard Area Premium Pay is retroactive to Feb. 28, 2026, ensuring that CIVMARs who have been operating in the affected areas during ongoing operations in the Middle East will be compensated for their service under hazardous conditions. “Our Civil Service Mariners are a critical component of our total naval force, operating in some of the most complex and contested waters worldwide,” said Hon. Benjamin C. Kohlmann, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “This authorization reflects our steadfast commitment to the civilian workforce. By recognizing the profound risks they assume to protect our national interests, we ensure our maritime logistics remain unmatched.”
The designated hazard areas include critical waterways essential to global trade and military operations in the following regions:
- Arabian Gulf
- Strait of Hormuz
- Gulf of Oman
- Arabian Sea
- Gulf of Aden
- Bab al-Mandeb Strait
- Red Sea
- Eastern Mediterranean Sea
While most designations remain in effect, the Eastern Mediterranean was considered a hazard area from Feb. 28, 2026 until April 7, 2026.
“Our Civil Service Mariners are the backbone of our maritime logistics, especially during critical operations in the Middle East,” said Rear Adm. Ben Nicholson, Commander, Military Sealift Command. “This premium pay designation is a crucial step in recognizing their unwavering dedication and ensuring they are justly compensated for the immense risks they face while keeping our fleet sustained and operational.”
A strict verification process, using the ship’s official navigational log and endorsements from Area Commanders, will ensure pay accuracy and financial auditability while also making sure every eligible mariner receives their entitled premium pay.
“Sailing through these designated areas takes a significant toll on both the crews and their loved ones back home,” said Brandon Varner, MSC’s Port Captain East. “This retroactive pay is a hard-earned and necessary acknowledgment of the very real dangers our Civil Service Mariners endure to keep the supply lines open.”
The premium pay is calculated daily based on a mariner’s base salary for any time spent within the designated areas. The framework for this compensation is established by “Civilian Marine Personnel Instruction (CMPI) 610,” which governs pay for service in these areas. The command may also authorize separate payments for specific vessel or harbor attacks.
This action underscores the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command’s deep appreciation for its Civil Service Mariner workforce, who serve alongside uniformed personnel in some of the world’s most dangerous and contested environments.