TWIC Card

I read in a magazine that (as of sometime in 2010) it is*no longer*necessary for Coast Guard licensees to have a Twix. Is this true?

I let my 5th issue 100 ton expire last March 9th because I did not want to go*through the hassel of getting one.

Anyone know the straight scoop?


-- Edited by Doc on Sunday 4th of March 2012 03:14:32 PM

TWICs are required at all US ports. i don't know about with captain registration but these are not going away.

The TWIC card is only required to get you into secure locations without an escort. As stated above, all US Ports are considered 'Secure' locations.
Private ports where no special security is required should not require a TWIC.
All the deep water platforms and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico require TWIC cards. I'm not sure about the continental shelf locations.

With all due respect, that is not my question. Before they made everyone with a CG license get one and now that may not be true.

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/marpers/pag/twic_809_policy_letter.pdf

Page 2 section 5 of this document may apply to your situation. Then again, maybe not.

I'm not fluent in legal.

I just got my TWIC card, as I was told by my instructor it was necessary - as far as I know, they are still required for Master's lisc.

Read what CPseudonym kindly posted...should answer your question odr call the NMC's 800 number...going to the source for info is very easy these days.

NEVER listen to (just) a captains school instructor ...heck many shouldn't even be teaching the course let alone be considered a source for up to date info.* Even calling the school or checking their website would be better.

The requirements appear to be changing or may change. The simple answer is that you are subject to all the information gathering and back round check to get your initial licence but may not be required to get a TWIC if the vessel you are captaining doesn't require a "Vessel Security Plan". The change to the rules is still in process and may require legislative approval. So for now you are still required to have / get one.

USCG TWIC Exemption

*

Ted

It's my understanding that for the initial issue of a C/G license a TWIC is always required. If your renewing your license, and won't work on a boat that requires a card, you no longer need to renew your card.* Should you let it expire and get an offer of a job in which one is required, you will have go through the application process again before taking the job.** This is information I read in a trade industry magazine, but you should contact the nearest regional exam center for accurate information......Arctic Traveller

Having read the above I think the only issue is if this policy is now in force, and I've been lead to believe it is.*


-- Edited by Arctic Traveller on Sunday 4th of March 2012 08:47:27 PM

I just got my USCG OUPV License in Dec.* A TWIC card was required (no hassle).

You can call the USCG National Maritime Center for the current requirements.* KJ



*


-- Edited by KJ on Sunday 4th of March 2012 11:45:29 PM

I think that CPseudonym is correct about where it is addressed in law.

This is what I read on page 24 of the Feb. 2012 issue of Southern Boating:

"U.S. Coast Guard eases TWIC requirement for thousands of mariners"

"Section 809 of the USCG Re-Authorization Act of 2010 allows the Coast Guard to be exempt from holding a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) as well as those operating vessels not required to have a Vessel Security Plan, or who are not actively sailing on their Merchant Mariner documents. This action will affect an estimated 60,000 mariners, including those with Operator of Uninspected Vessel (6 pack) credentials."

Doc wrote:
I think that CPseudonym is correct about where it is addressed in law.

This is what I read on page 24 of the Feb. 2012 issue of Southern Boating:

"U.S. Coast Guard eases TWIC requirement for thousands of mariners"

"Section 809 of the USCG Re-Authorization Act of 2010 allows the Coast Guard to be exempt from holding a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) as well as those operating vessels not required to have a Vessel Security Plan, or who are not actively sailing on their Merchant Mariner documents. This action will affect an estimated 60,000 mariners, including those with Operator of Uninspected Vessel (6 pack) credentials."

Click to expand...

*That only applies to folks that are renewing their credentials.*******

All new apps still require a TWIC.**************** KJ

So KJ, I have had my 100 ton since 1981.

I have never had a TWIC because it came into existance between my previous renewals.

In your opinion can I renew without*ever having*one?

I have ony 4 days until my one year grace period expires.




-- Edited by Doc on Monday 5th of March 2012 02:32:08 PM

Doc wrote:
So KJ, I have had my 100 ton since 1981.

I have never had a TWIC because it came into existance between my previous renewals.

In your opinion can I renew without*ever having*one?

I have ony 4 days until my one year grace period expires.


-- Edited by Doc on Monday 5th of March 2012 02:32:08 PM

Click to expand...

*Better call NMC:

NMC Customer Service Center (CSC): 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662) email (IASKNMC@uscg.mil)

Following psneeld's advice went to the MNC web site. On the front page it says that everyone must have one no matter what.

Then I went to FAQ's and FAQ # 1 is'

(Q) Am I required to obtain a TWIC card?

Answer The Coast Guard is allowing mariners without a valid TWIC to acquire and renew an MMC if: the mariner is inactive; not operating under the authority of their credential; or sailing in a vessel that is not required to have a vessel security plan as defined in Policy Letter 11-15. (Reference Policy Letter 11-15(5)(a)).

So, I am not required to get one to renew. But since I don't know if I want to renew or not, I am going to apply for a Continuity Credential which puts everything into limbo until I decide what I want. If I fill out the form (from the MNC website) and mail it tomorrow it will be in Miami by Friday when my one year grace period expires. Did I say it was free?

I hate to give it up after all these years but I have never used it except to get an insurance discount. The license has always hung on the wall among my degrees, certificates and my picture shaking hands with the Emperor Bocassa.




-- Edited by Doc on Monday 5th of March 2012 05:07:46 PM

I*understand that the paperwork for*the Homeland Security background check for renewal*is about the same with or without a TWIC.******* KJ

Doc wrote:
**and my picture shaking hands with the Emperor Bocassa.

Click to expand...

*Ah yes, one of my favorite anthropophagites!******** KJ

He must have eaten my brain. I was ready to fill out the form. It calls for the license to be sent to the CG for "safe keeping". When I took it off the wall I noticed that it expired 2 years ago and that my grace period expired 1 year ago. Sh*t!!

Personally...from my perspective......the TWIC card was nothing more than a "scam" to collect $140 off a bunch of people. I've got one...and whats amazing is that I have almost never been asked for it...when entering ports by land or sea..... "Its little more than a hoser scheme" to generate revenue.....

I have to have on for my job. It's pretty much universally required to enter any petrochemical plant, terminal, shipyard, etc. on the water. This in the Galveston bay / Gulf Coast area. I have a couple of friends who are delivery captains. They get asked for theirs on a pretty regular basis.

JAT wrote:
......the TWIC card was nothing more than a "scam" to collect $140 off a bunch of people. ......

Click to expand...

*It is not a scam. I can not get a flight to any offshore oil and gas structure from any heliport I have been to in Tx. and La. without a TWIC. I also can not get onto any boat*or even into many ports that have travel to any oil and gas structures in the Gulf of Mexico.

My understanding of the history of the TWIC goes like this: After the 911 attacks, the DOT and other agencies including Homeland Security were trying to figure out a way to do background checks and issue some kind of ID that would in effect allow certain people access to 'secure' areas unescorted. Their first logical choice was to get everyone to get a passport.

When this idea hit the oilfield and trucking industries, they hit a snag.

A large number of*offshore oilfield workers and truckers *had either felony records or were behind in child support. This would preclude them from getting a passport. Thus .........the TWIC which does not certify that you have a history of being a nice guy, but rather you have a history that indicates that you would probably not be a danger to security. So, certain felonies are OK on your record. Murder and terrorism are not. Also illegals dont seem to be able to get past the TWIC card thing yet.*As part of the investigory*work, we had to subject ourselves to electronic fingerprinting and a DNA swab. Also, we could only pick up our card in person with a fingerprint check when we picked it up.

All things considered, I doubt the govt turned a profit on this* nor was that the intention.

After all of this went into effect on the 3rd coast, many recognizable faces from the past were noticably missing. Many were suspected illegals.


-- Edited by Tony B on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 06:07:58 PM

DNA? First I've heard of that. Not surprising though...they want everybody's eventually.

If they had everyones DNA, there would be a whole lot less unsolved crimes.

Tony B wrote:JAT wrote:
......the TWIC card was nothing more than a "scam" to collect $140 off a bunch of people. ......

Click to expand...

*It is not a scam. I can not get a flight to any offshore oil and gas structure from any heliport I have been to in Tx. and La. without a TWIC. I also can not get onto any boat*or even into many ports that have travel to any oil and gas structures in the Gulf of Mexico.


-- Edited by Tony B on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 06:07:58 PM

*My feelings that it was a scam was because I had to get one, and though I routinely moved in and out of ports, chemical plants and other facilities....it was only on the extremely odd occasion that I had to show it...and even then... half the time I had my finger over the picture and got waved through. *My card was biometric....and yet no one bought the machines to read them...the excuse was that they were too expensive.

I moved in and out of chem plants and port areas in TX, LA, MS, AL, FL and GA.... *Maybe I just look so trustworthy they didn't feel the need to check further.....

I also felt it was a scam..because I carry a CDL-A with XT endorsements, and the Fed and the states did not bother to coordinate on the data regarding the individuals...so there was duplicity in payment as the cost of the HAZMAT endorsement background check was $90+..... the total cost of my CDL was over $140...*

It may have weeded out some illegals....but for the most part...it was a money maker since the cost of an FBI check is only $12.75 and a civil/criminal records check is less than $10.00.... *what another $5.00 for the card and plastic?

You'll have to forgive my cynicism....but as one who went to chemical plants and refineries all over the country and the different seaboards and loaded and hauled 46,000 lb liquid loads of HAZMAT routinely.... I found that the amount of attention paid to the TWIC card was a joke. *Most shippers and receivers were more concerned that I had the X endorsement so that I could legally haul a tanker with HM in it. *My CDL A with the hazmat endorsement cost me pretty much the same amount, and I had to be cleared by the TSA on the hazmat endorsement...so for us the payment of the $140 was merely a hose job....because we paid twice for the same thing...except that the requirements for a hazmat endorsment exceeded the requirements for a TWIC.

Had all the state and federal certs...and had to carry a passport too. *No passport, no re-entry to the US....and I had to pay $10.75 each time...

One other reason why I say it was a money maker... I used to won a credit burea in the 90's...and for about $4.00 I could pull your life history to include legals...in about 90 seconds....and that included public records.

*

Jat

Where do u keep your boat?

I am in Waterford Harbor Marina in Kemah

Tony B wrote:
Where do u keep your boat?

I am in Waterford Harbor Marina in Kemah

Click to expand...

*

Presently berthed at Halifax Harbor Marina... Daytona Beach. *Almost moved out your way...but the admiral says it gets too cold there...and soon we are leaving here for points further south.....

I thought you were on the 3rd coast.

Temps are not bad here on Galveston Bay, but souther is betterer.

My sailboat is for sale and we plan on getting a trawler and moving up to Kentucky Lake during the warmer months -*May to Oct. -*which would actually give us an extended spring and fall and then south in the winter. North in the boat, south in an RV.

Thats the plan, now we have to make it happen.

*

*


-- Edited by Tony B on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 08:46:49 PM

Keith wrote:
DNA? First I've heard of that. Not surprising though...they want everybody's eventually.

Click to expand...

*Keith, I got my TWIC out of Houma, La because Galveston and Houston were way backed up when I applied on the internet.

They did the mouth swab thing on me.

I remember the mouth swab thing and I believe it was for my TWIC. I can't imagine anything else I did that would take a mouth swab. I am almost positive it was the TWIC. Anyway, I am in a motel room in Houma tonite. I am going offshore in the morning. I will ask others if they did the mouth swab. Wouldnt be the first time I had a false memory.

As I recall, the TWIC was administered by Lockheed Corp. Any profit was made by them.

If they had everyones DNA, there would be a whole lot less unsolved crimes.

Not when is congress is in session.