Posted:
February 19, 2009
The U.S. Coast has issued the following bulletin: "Important information for mariners about the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the April 15, 2009, deadline." The complete bulletin is available on the Coast Guard Web site
Among other things, the Coast Guard bulletin states that all merchant mariners holding a mariner credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard must hold a valid TWIC by April 15, 2009.
The bulletin also addresses the pending proposal to consolidate the U.S. Coast Guard license, merchant mariner document and STCW endorsement into one passport-style document, the "merchant mariner credential."
The bulletin states the proposed regulation would require the Coast Guard to use data from the Transportation Security Administration to determine whether or not a mariner holds a valid TWIC. If the proposed regulation goes into effect, mariners will need to be identified as "merchant mariners" in the TWIC system.
The bulletin states: "To avoid delays in processing your future Merchant Mariner Credential Applications (whether originals, upgrades, renewals or endorsements) it is critical that you identify yourself as a merchant mariner by selecting 'Merchant Mariner' as your occupation when you apply for a TWIC."
Further, the bulletin states: "the Coast Guard is working with the TSA to automatically change your occupation field" and "TSA is establishing a help desk" for mariners who could not automatically be identified as merchant mariners in the TWIC system to assist mariners applying for a Coast Guard document or credential.
The bulletin also states: "Mariners will need to ensure that the biographical information that they supply to TSA during the TWIC application process is the same information included on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Application."
Separately, during a recent TWIC stakeholder meeting, procedures for obtaining a new personal identification number (PIN) for the TWIC were presented. Some TWIC access control systems may require use of the PIN to authenticate a TWIC card in certain cases.
The TWIC help desk can be reached at (866) 347-8942 or through an online form.
Mariners must have a TWIC by April 15; procedures for obtaining a new TWIC PIN
The U.S. Coast has issued the following bulletin: "Important information for mariners about the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the April 15, 2009, deadline." The complete bulletin is available on the Coast Guard Web site
Among other things, the Coast Guard bulletin states that all merchant mariners holding a mariner credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard must hold a valid TWIC by April 15, 2009.
The bulletin also addresses the pending proposal to consolidate the U.S. Coast Guard license, merchant mariner document and STCW endorsement into one passport-style document, the "merchant mariner credential."
The bulletin states the proposed regulation would require the Coast Guard to use data from the Transportation Security Administration to determine whether or not a mariner holds a valid TWIC. If the proposed regulation goes into effect, mariners will need to be identified as "merchant mariners" in the TWIC system.
The bulletin states: "To avoid delays in processing your future Merchant Mariner Credential Applications (whether originals, upgrades, renewals or endorsements) it is critical that you identify yourself as a merchant mariner by selecting 'Merchant Mariner' as your occupation when you apply for a TWIC."
Further, the bulletin states: "the Coast Guard is working with the TSA to automatically change your occupation field" and "TSA is establishing a help desk" for mariners who could not automatically be identified as merchant mariners in the TWIC system to assist mariners applying for a Coast Guard document or credential.
The bulletin also states: "Mariners will need to ensure that the biographical information that they supply to TSA during the TWIC application process is the same information included on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Application."
Separately, during a recent TWIC stakeholder meeting, procedures for obtaining a new personal identification number (PIN) for the TWIC were presented. Some TWIC access control systems may require use of the PIN to authenticate a TWIC card in certain cases.
- If the TWIC was activated PRIOR to Oct. 21, 2008, call the help desk to open a ticket for a replacement card.
- If the card was activated AFTER Oct. 21, 2008, go to the TWIC enrollment center where the card was obtained.
- If the card holder is NOT SURE, go to the TWIC enrollment center.
The TWIC help desk can be reached at (866) 347-8942 or through an online form.