Photo by U.S. Coast Guard
As the Coast Guard continues developing NavitaTM, user experience remains at the center of the effort.
The goal is not simply to replace an outdated system, but to fundamentally improve how mariners and stakeholders interact with the Coast Guard’s mariner credentialing program.
Throughout development, the Coast Guard has worked with stakeholders and conducted usability testing to better understand the real-world challenges mariners face during the credentialing process. Feedback gathered during testing is helping shape system improvements and refine the overall experience ahead of launch.
Usability testing was conducted at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship and the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies. Participants with experience levels ranging from 20 plus years in the industry to those who have not yet submitted an MMC application created profiles on NavitaTM and tested the new electronic MMC and medical application processes.
Participants tested NavitaTM on various devices such as computers, phones, and tablets. The Coast Guard recognizes that mariners often operate in demanding environments where time and connectivity, can create challenges to applying for credentials. NavitaTM is being designed to reduce unnecessary administrative burden, better facilitate the application process, and improve accessibility.
This human-centered approach reflects a broader shift in how the Coast Guard is approaching modernization efforts across IT systems and services.
“The new interface is intuitive. Being able to securely upload my documents and check my application status directly from my phone is a game-changer,” said one mariner who participated in the testing.
The Coast Guard plans to continue stakeholder engagement and user testing throughout development of NavitaTM to ensure user perspectives remain part of the process moving forward. More information on NavitaTM and future updates are available on the National Maritime Center website.