On April 12, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard’s online public access portal Homeport was permanently taken offline. This decision impacts several mariner credentialing services. The National Maritime Center (NMC) has outlined alternative methods for accessing these services.
For those checking the status of a merchant mariner application or medical certificate, the NMC can be contacted by phone at 1-888-427-5662, email at [email protected], or via Live Chat. Customer service agents are available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The NMC experiences high demand around midday, and it is advised to call early in the morning or use the Live Chat service during normal hours for quicker assistance. Emails for application status should include ‘Status’ in the subject line along with the mariner’s name and reference number in the body.
To verify the authenticity of a merchant mariner credential, emails should be sent to [email protected] with ‘Credential Verification’ in the subject line. The mariner’s name and reference number should be included in the body of the email for faster service. Response times may vary based on email volume.
Regarding Mariner Training and Assessment Data (MTAD), requests for course curricula and certificate modifications must be directed to [email protected]. The NMC advises documenting course and program completions through certificates that match the format and content approved by the NMC. For further inquiries related to Mariner Training and Assessment, the contact number is 206-815-6893.
The NMC will provide service status updates as they become available. Captain Bradley W. Clare conveyed appreciation for the public’s patience during this transition.
“We will provide updates to the status of these services as they are established. Thank you for your patience.”
Sincerely,
/B. W. Clare/
Bradley W. Clare
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Commanding Officer
