(a) Certificates or documents issued by other public agencies or private organizations, which are accepted as prima facie evidence of compliance with requirements administered by the Coast Guard, shall be retained for the applicable period of time as follows:

(1) If the certificate or document specifies a definite period of time for which it is valid, it shall be retained for so long as it is valid unless it is required to be surrendered; or

(2) If the certificate or document does not specify a definite period of time for which it is valid, it shall be retained for the period of time such certificate or document is required for operation of the vessel; or,

(3) If the certificate or documents is evidence of a person's qualifications, it shall be retained for so long as it is valid unless it is required to be surrendered.