Homeport recently posted information for the maritime community about the launch of Homeport 2.0 in January. View the announcement for full details.

The United States Coast Guard Homeport Internet Portal, or HIP, was established in 2005 to facilitate compliance with the requirements set forth in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, by providing secure information dissemination, advanced collaboration, electronic submission and approval for vessel and facility security plans, and complex electronic and telecommunication notification capabilities.

Since its inception, HIP has been expanded to provide additional support such as Transportation Worker Identification Card new hire; electronic vessel response plan; marine event permit process; port status indicator; merchant mariner licensing and documentation; marine training and assessment data (training documentation); merchant mariner certificate; sea service calculator; merchant mariner verification of certificates; and merchant mariner credential survey.

The Coast Guard will launch Homeport 2.0 January29,2016 in order to provide a better user experience and improve the security of user information. Upgrades will include fewer site navigation menus and more efficient and secure search functions.

Although most features will be available as soon as the new site launches, user access to a few conveniences may be interrupted. Review the Homeport 2.0 Deployment Schedule for details. Functions that are essential to maintaining port security or that are critical to continuing the flow of commerce will remain available during the transition period.

Alternative solutions are available for most features taken offline during the transition. Anyone who needs access to a service normally obtained through HIP should contact the appropriate subject matter expert listed in the Homeport 2.0 Deployment Schedule.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.