The U.S. Coast Guard is getting ready to launch a new digital system that will change how mariners apply for and receive their Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs). This initiative aims to tackle long-standing issues wit...
The U.S. Coast Guard is getting ready to launch a new digital system that will change how mariners apply for and receive their Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs). This initiative aims to tackle long-standing issues with the credentialing process.
The new system, called NAVITA—which means “sailor” in Latin—will have an initial launch in September 2026. It is part of the Coast Guard's larger plan to go digital.
Coast Guard officials say NAVITA will offer mariners a more streamlined online experience. It will make applying for credentials and medical certificates easier, cut down on paperwork, reduce mistakes, and provide better visibility into the status of applications.
“For many mariners, the current credentialing process involves a lot of paperwork, multiple submissions, and lengthy communication,” stated CAPT Pat Drayer, the commanding officer of the National Maritime Center, along with Captain Cathleen Mauro, the acting chief of the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing.
This announcement comes as the Coast Guard faces significant challenges in credentialing after federal funding issues this year led the National Maritime Center (NMC) to halt many operations, resulting in a backlog of over 19,000 credential applications.
When the NMC resumed services in May, the agency cautioned that it could take eight to twelve months to process completed applications as they worked through the backlog on a first-in, first-out basis.
Coast Guard officials believe NAVITA will solve many of the problems that have historically delayed the credentialing process.
“This is more than just replacing a system,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy. “It’s about designing services around the mariner’s experience and building trust with the public.”
The first version of NAVITA will allow mariners to create profiles and submit their credential and medical applications online. More features will be added in future updates.
This new platform follows several recent improvements to the Coast Guard's credentialing system. Earlier this year, the Coast Guard launched the Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) after shutting down the long-operating HOMEPORT system, which had been active since 2005 until it went offline in April 2025.
The ASAP portal became the main way to submit credential applications while the Coast Guard worked on broader updates.
The Coast Guard says NAVITA will eventually become a key part of a larger modernization effort that includes various services related to prevention and interactions within the maritime industry.
This project is also in line with President Donald Trump's Executive Order on “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” which emphasizes workforce development and reducing barriers to maritime employment. Coast Guard officials noted that minimizing credentialing delays will help strengthen the U.S. maritime workforce, support supply chains, and enhance national defense readiness.
Having a strong and available workforce of mariners has become increasingly crucial as policymakers aim to grow the U.S.-flag fleet and tackle ongoing labor shortages in the maritime industry.
The Coast Guard continues to conduct stakeholder testing and feedback sessions ahead of NAVITA’s September launch and intends to provide more updates as development continues.