Mr. Maritime Unlimited

05/21/2026

The U.S. Coast Guard is modernizing the mariner credentialing experience through the development of NAVITA, a new digital platform designed to streamline the MMC application and issuance process for mariners.

NAVITA, Latin for ‘sailor’, is part of the Coast Guard’s broader digital transformation effort focused on improving user experience, modernizing prevention-related systems, and reducing administrative burdens for maritime stakeholders.

For many mariners, the credentialing process involves cumbersome paperwork, multiple sub missions, and lengthy back-and-forth communication with the National Maritime Center. NAVITA will offer a user-friendly and modern experience that simplifies credential application submission, reduces common errors, and improves transparency throughout the process.

The effort is driving toward one simple goal: making it easier for mariners to get the credentials they need so they are ready to work.

“This is about more than replacing a system,” said RADM Wayne Arguin, assistant commandant for Prevention Policy. “It’s about designing services around the mariner experience and improving the public’s interactions with — and trust in — the Coast Guard.”

The Coast Guard Mariner Credentialing Program is currently conducting user testing and working closely with stakeholders to better understand mariner needs and identify opportunities to improve the user experience. Early testing and feedback are shaping the platform ahead of its initial rollout in September 2026.

The initial version will allow mariners to set up their profiles and submit credentials and medical applications. System updates will be released periodically; stay tuned for more announcements!

NAVITA also represents the first major step in a broader effort to modernize prevention-related services and systems across the Coast Guard. And it is the latest effort to improve Coast Guard technology. The Service recently released its Digital Transformation Strategy, a roadmap to improve the Coast Guard’s information gathering and sharing.

Ultimately, NAVITA will create a more efficient, transparent, responsive, and user-friendly experience for mariners.

As development continues, the Coast Guard will provide regular updates, additional information, and user-focused resources leading up to launch. More information on NAVITA and future updates is available on the National Maritime Center website.

05/06/2026

Due the longest partial government shutdown that affected the Department of Homeland Security, which the U.S. Coast Guard falls under…

04/17/2026

From the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center: Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #3: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions

(This update supersedes the information in Update #2 dated March 19, 2026)

Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures:

· The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active. Processing will resume once appropriations are restored.

· Merchant mariner credentials (National endorsements only) and medical certificates (National and Pilot expiration dates only) that expire between January 1 and May 31, 2026, remain valid until August 31, 2026. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential AND a copy of the attached letter while sailing under the authority of those credentials. The NMC will not issue separate or replacement MMCs or medical certificates reflecting the extension.

· International Convention Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, for MMCs and medical certificates:

o MMCs: Pursuant to Article VIII, dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after January 1, 2026, provided a renewal application was submitted to the NMC and the employer applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation. STCW dispensations that are approved will expire up to August 31, 2026. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners shall carry the letter AND a copy of this bulletin with the MMC. Requests for dispensation must be submitted via e-mail with a subject line “STCW Dispensation” to [email protected] and must include the following information: ship name, IMO number, ship tonnage, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, credential issuance and expiration dates, company name, company point of contact, and valid mariner e-mail address.

o Medical certificates: In accordance with STCW Regulation I/9, when the STCW expiration date of a medical certificate occurs during a voyage, the certificate remains valid for 3 months from the expiration date.

· Additional information letters, approval to test letters, mariner training course completion certificates, and drug test letters that expire between February and May 2026, are extended until August 31, 2026. The NMC will not issue updated letters reflecting the extension.

· Qualified assessor and designated examiner certification letters and course approvals that expire between February and May 2026, are extended until August 31, 2026. The NMC will not issue updated certificates/letters reflecting the extension.

· Mariner examinations:

o Mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to February 13, 2026, may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens. Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.

o 90-day retest periods are paused beginning on February 13, 2026, and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.

· For questions regarding credentialing issues related to National Defense, marine employers are advised to contact our Customer Service Center.

For updates on NMC and REC operating status, please monitor the NMC website. For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing [email protected], or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

The NMC understands the shutdown will affect our industry customers and stakeholders, and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.

Sincerely,

/P. A. Drayer/

Patrick A. Drayer
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections

03/26/2026

From the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center: Starting April 1st, E-mail Delivery of Medical Certificates!

03/25/2026

Thank you to Congressman Morgan Luttrell, for giving a shoutout to the U.S. Merchant Marine during your questioning of U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant VADM Tom Allan during today’s House hearing on U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse during this government shutdown. https://www.youtube.com/live/uxd2fVDaFVQ?si=1euwkQdYJ5Jny7Kr (Timestamp 1:36)

03/24/2026

“RESTORED” That is the word from the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center about the Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP). The portal is now available, and mariners may resume submitting applications and documents.

03/24/2026

While rolls out over 1,000 cargo ships a year, the U.S. 🇺🇸 – maybe three.

President Donald Trump has called this a crisis with both economic and national security risks.

For more, click below for the 60 Minutes coverage on this ongoing crisis.. ⬇️

China rolls out over 1,000 cargo ships a year, while the U.S. – maybe three. The Trump administration has called this a crisis with both economic and nationa...

03/23/2026

As Nate Gilman of MM SEAS pointed out, the
U.S. Coast Guard NMC's ASAP portal went down around midday on Friday.

As of today, it is still offline.

ASAP is the only way to submit MMC applications, medical certificates, and Awaiting Information responses. Email submissions were eliminated in January. There is no backup. If the portal is down, you cannot submit.

This is not the first time the credentialing system has experienced a significant disruption. The pattern goes back years, from Homeport running on unsupported software to the 104-day gap with no online tools after it was shut down. The NMC staff continue to do great work with whatever they are given.

They deserve the resources and support to keep the credentialing system available when mariners need it.

He breaks down the full history and proposed solutions in his latest article for WorkBoat.

If you tried to submit an application through the National Maritime Center's ASAP portal on Friday afternoon, you already know that the system went down around midday Eastern on March 20. As of Sunday

02/20/2026

Update from the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center — Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #1: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDHSCG/2026/02/20/file_attachments/3560762/lapse_in_appropriations_and_government_shutdown_update_1_021926.pdf



02/11/2026

🎉 GIVEAWAY: Win 2 Tickets to the Mariners for America Conference 2026

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Learn more about the conference: https://www.mitags.org/mariners-for-america-conference/

Winner announced March 4th, 2026. Good luck!