Sept. 10, 2026

Developing Navita™ Via the User Experience

Navita™ could not have happened without the feedback and cooperation of its intended users. As the Coast Guard developed Navita™, it conducted a series of user testing events and demonstrations to gather comments and ideas from mariners on all aspects of the program. This feedback allowed the Coast Guard to optimize Navita™ into a system that makes mariner credentialing as easy and user-friendly as possible. Over the course of its development, the Coast Guard received input from mariners and industry representation including the Coast Guard’s National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (NMERPAC) and federal partners who use credentialing data to assess workforce trends. The Coast Guard hosted usability testing for Navita™ at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship and the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies, in Maryland. Mariners at different stages of their career and other stakeholders created profiles and tested the functionality for submitting electronic applications through Navita™ on a variety of devices, including computers, tablets, and phones. Testing culminated in a formal user acceptance testing event at Coast Guard headquarters and the National Maritime Center on August 27, 2026. The development team has incorporated user feedback for this initial release of Navita™ to create a program designed with mariners in mind. For example, mariners often lack the time and connectivity for complex digital applications. Navita™ takes that into account by offering a streamlined application process available on most devices. Other feedback incorporated into Navita™ includes creation of user profiles, tracking and notification of application status, and guided checklists for mariner endorsements. With the first release of Navita™, the Coast Guard's goal is to be transparent with the development process and build support with our users. While we believe Navita™ will ease some of the current issues with mariner credentialing such as incomplete applications and incorrect user fee payments, we aim to improve this service through future releases and continued transformation of the mariner credentialing program. As new mariner credentialing initiatives and parts of Navita™ are developed, the Coast Guard will continue to work with our stakeholders to gather vital and important feedback on the mariner credentialing program. We built Navita™ with mariners in mind. As we phase in the system, we hope to hear about how it is working for you. In the meantime, you can find Navita™ updates on the National Maritime Center website.

Sept. 4, 2026

Coast Guard clarifies user fees associated with Performance-Driven Certificate of Compliance Examinations for Foreign Tank Vessels.

The user fee schedule outlined in 46 CFR § 2.10 remains in effect for vessels credited with an annual examination via formal letter under the Performance-Driven Certificate of Compliance examination schedule.

Aug. 31, 2026

U.S. Coast Guard established the Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy

In order to proactively adapt to a rapidly changing world and ensure the continued safety and security of the Marine Transportation System against a continually-evolving threat landscape, the Coast Guard has established the Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy under the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy.

Aug. 31, 2026

Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 05-26: Maritime Security Program (MSP) Select Eligibility

The Coast Guard recently released Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 05-26: Maritime Security Program (MSP) Select Eligibility.

Aug. 27, 2026

Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 04-26: Applicability of MTSA Cybersecurity Requirements to Inactive Vessels

MSIB 04-26 reinforces that MTSA cybersecurity requirements continue to apply to “Inactive” vessels that retain a valid Certificate of Inspection (COI) or Certificate of Compliance (COC), even during nonoperational periods.