Submitted by the Office of Port and Facility Compliance (CG-FAC)
The Coast Guard Homeport Internet Portal (HIP) was established in 2005 to facilitate compliance with the requirements set forth in the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) 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.
For the past year, the Coast Guard has been working to develop the next generation of HIP that will provide a better user experience and improve the security of user information. Called Homeport 2.0, the new system’s upgrades will include fewer site navigation menus and more efficient and secure search functions.
The Coast Guard is reaching the final stages of development of Homeport 2.0 and we would like to highlight some key dates that are rapidly approaching:
Aug. 18, 2017
• Any changes made to the content of HIP beginning August 18th will not be captured or migrated to Homeport 2.0. As a result, users will need to track and upload such changes to Homeport 2.0 once it goes live. All other capabilities of HIP will be available during the transition process.
Sept. 6, 2017
• We will begin preparation for the final transition from HIP to Homeport 2.0 on September 6th.
Sept. 12, 2017
• Anticipated go-live date of Homeport 2.0 is September 12th.
Please send all questions, concerns, or comments to HQS-SMB-Homeport2.0@uscg.mil. More detailed information on this effort can be found at CG-FAC’s Homeport 2.0 informational page.
Homeport 2.0 FAQs for All Users
1. Why are we making this change? What advantage is there?
Legacy Homeport Internet Portal is at the end of its lifecycle, and an upgrade to Homeport 2.0 is required to keep pace with technological advancements. These changes will not only result in an all around better user experience, but information stored in the Homeport will be more secure.
2. When will the new Homeport be available?
Homeport 2.0 will be available Sept. 12, 2017.
3. What changes should I expect to see?
Homeport 2.0 will function the same as Legacy Homeport, although users may notice some cosmetic differences. Specific changes will be documented as part of published FAQs.
4. Who can I contact if I have questions about a specific feature on Homeport?
A complete list of application-specific contacts can be found in the Homeport 2.0 Application Points of Contact on the project site.
5. How do I sign up for Homeport?
Contact your local Captain of the Port to request an account.
6. Will my user logon information change?
Non-Coast Guard users will be prompted to enter a new password upon initial login to Homeport 2.0.
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.
