Implementation of Electronic Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This document announces that the Coast Guard will not require the electronic submission requirement for mariner course completion data until at least November 25, 2028, because the system for providing the electronic submission is not yet fully operational. The Coast Guard will notify the public through the Federal Register before requiring the electronic submission of course completion data.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21146]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 10

[Docket No. USCG-2026-0376]


Implementation of Electronic Submission of Mariner Course 
Completion Data

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notification.

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SUMMARY: This document announces that the Coast Guard will not require 
the electronic submission requirement for mariner course completion 
data until at least November 25, 2028, because the system for providing 
the electronic submission is not yet fully operational. The Coast Guard 
will notify the public through the Federal Register before requiring 
the electronic submission of course completion data.

DATES: The requirement in 46 CFR 10.403(a)(7) to electronically submit 
mariner course completion data will not be implemented before November 
25, 2028.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, 
call or email Mr. Brian T. Eichelberger, Office of Merchant Mariner 
Credentialing, Coast Guard; telephone 571-608-2071, email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c1e2e353d3272087219353f3439303e392e3b392e1c292f3f3b72313530"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4604342f2728681268032f252e232a2423342123340633352521682b2f2a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

Background and Discussion

    The Coast Guard issues Merchant Mariner Credentials to mariners who 
have met the regulatory requirements for individual endorsement(s), as 
described in 46 CFR parts 10, 11, 12, and 13. The general standards for 
Coast Guard-approved courses and programs are found in 46 CFR 10.403. 
On November 25, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Coast 
Guard, issued a final rule titled ``Electronic Submission of Mariner 
Course Completion Data'' \1\ hereafter, ``2024 final rule.''
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    \1\ 89 FR 93040.
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    The 2024 final rule amended 46 CFR 10.403 to require Coast Guard-
approved training providers to electronically submit the mariner course 
completion data listed in 46 CFR 10.403(b)(7)(i) through (v) to the 
National Maritime Center within 5 business days after a student 
completes a Coast Guard-approved course or program. The 2024 final rule 
stated Coast Guard-approved training providers were required to comply 
with this regulation by November 25, 2026.
    At the time the 2024 final rule was published, the Coast Guard 
anticipated using the Homeport online portal as the mechanism for the 
electronic submission of course completion data, pending development of 
an updated information technology system. However, on April 12, 2025, 
the Coast Guard decommissioned the Homeport online portal because of 
increased operating costs, system obsolescence, and cybersecurity 
concerns.
    On September 14, 2026, the Coast Guard announced the initial 
release of Navita<SUP>TM</SUP>, a new digital platform designed to 
streamline the application and issuance of merchant mariner 
credentials.\2\ Navita<SUP>TM</SUP> is intended to replace the current 
labor-intensive manual mariner credentialing process.
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    \2\ See <a href="https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4600381/coast-guard-launches-navita-mariner-credentialing-system/">https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4600381/coast-guard-launches-navita-mariner-credentialing-system/</a> 
(last visited September 28, 2026).
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    Navita<SUP>TM</SUP> will include a dedicated mariner training 
provider module that will facilitate electronic submission of mariner 
course completion data as required by 46 CFR 10.403(b)(7). The Coast 
Guard expects the Navita<SUP>TM</SUP> mariner training provider module 
to become fully operational in January 2028. Accordingly, the Coast 
Guard expects to begin the requirement for electronic submission of 
mariner course completion data on November 25, 2028.
    Before requiring the electronic submission of course completion 
data, the Coast Guard will notify the public through publication in the 
Federal Register announcing the availability of the Navita<SUP>TM</SUP> 
mariner training provider capability and will provide guidance to 
facilitate meeting the requirements for electronic submission. In the 
interim, mariners should continue to submit their course completion 
certificates to the National Maritime Center with their merchant 
mariner credential applications.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

R.C. Compher,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention 
Policy.
[FR Doc. 2026-21146 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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