Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 February 2009 09:23 Tuesday, 03 February 2009 16:53

Issue: The Maritime Transportation Security Act contains a requirement that each transportation worker (vessel crew, truck drivers, longshoremen, dock workers) be issued a government identification card. The card must have tamper-resistant biometric means of identification) and must involve criminal and security service background checks.

Status: The Coast Guard deadline for licensed or documented mariners to hold a TWIC is April 15, 2009. Despite warnings from OMSA and other maritime groups that the TWIC process will not be completed in time, the Coast Guard continues to warn that after April 15, 2009 licensed or documented mariners who do not hold a TWIC will NOT be able to work under the authority of their Coast Guard issued document.

The Coast Guard has also been issuing rolling facility implementation compliance dates for Captain of the Port Zones (COTP) around the country. This affects any facility that operates under a Facility Security Plan. If any mariner needs to gain access to this type of facility, they will need to show either a TWIC card or their MMD. Implementation for COTP Zone New Orleans went into effect January 13th, 2009 and that includes New Orleans, Port Fourchon, Baton Rouge, Houma and Lafayette.

Companies have an obligation under the law to inform all of their licensed or documented mariners of the requirement to hold a TWIC by April 15, 2009.

OMSA Security Committee members met and developed generic wording for security plans to address the requirements for the TWIC enforcement. The enforcement language is condition to apply as of April 15, 2009. The OMSA changes to its security plan were submitted and approved by the Coast Guard and will be incorporated into its plans in January 2009. While the Coast Guard has a contract for a pilot program for handheld card readers for their inspectors, there is no timeframe for when and if the Coast Guard is going to require card readers onboard vessels.

OMSA continues to oppose TWIC card readers being placed on vessels.