What Happened?
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a new online mariner credentialing portal — the Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) — to serve as the primary digital system for applying for and tracking Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs) and medical certificates.
The HOMEPORT platform — in use since 2005 — was taken offline permanently in April 2025, after an unexpected period of restricted access earlier that year.
Why It Matters?
After HOMEPORT’s closure caused industry setbacks — including challenges for employers to verify credentials and for mariners to renew documents — the ASAP portal restores vital credentialing services online.
Reliable digital credentialing affects the entire maritime workforce by helping mariners maintain valid certifications and enabling employers to verify crew qualifications quickly — crucial for safe operations.