Suspended from Mersk may not mean suspended from shipping on his license.
That will take action by Uncle Sam.
A Sexual Assault/Rape conviction is a disqualifying offense for an applicant for an MMC under 46 CFR 10.211(g)
The Coast Guard will use table 1 to
§ 10.211 of this section to evaluate applicants who have criminal convictions. The table lists major categories of criminal activity and is not to be construed as an all-inclusive list. If an applicant is convicted of an offense that does not appear on the list, the Coast Guard will establish an appropriate assessment period using the list as a guide. The assessment period commences when an applicant is no longer incarcerated. The applicant must establish proof of the time incarcerated and periods of probation and parole to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard. The assessment period may include supervised or unsupervised probation or parole.
Table 1 to 10.211
Sexual Assault (rape, child molestation) 5 years-10 years.
A mariner with that on their record could not even realistically apply until a minimum of 5 years after any and all time is served.
Once convicted, an offender could have their MMC suspended or revoked under 46 U.S. Code § 7703
A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued by the Secretary may be suspended or revoked if the holder—
(2) is convicted of an offense that would prevent the issuance or renewal of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document;
The key to all this is “convicted” which requires due process of law. Truth is that pending any charges then conviction then revoking of his license the party in the best position to ensure he can’t continue to sail for someone else is the Union.