Section 5.203 - Voluntary surrender to avoid hearing(a) Any holder may surrender a credential or endorsement to the Coast Guard in preference to appearing at a hearing.(b) A holder voluntarily surrendering a credential or endorsement shall sign a written statement containing the stipulations that: (1) The surrender is made voluntarily in preference to appearing at a hearing;(2) All rights to the credential or endorsement surrendered are permanently relinquished; and,(3) Any rights with respect to a hearing are waived.(c) A voluntary surrender of a credential or endorsement to an investigating officer in preference to appearing at a hearing is not to be accepted by an investigating officer unless the investigating officer is convinced that the holder fully realizes the effect of such surrender.CGD 82-002, 50 FR 32184, Aug. 9, 1985, as amended by USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11215 , Mar. 16, 2009