U.S. Coast Guard MSIB: Mariners advised to keep contact information up to date for TWIC and Merchant Mariner Credential eligibility

The U.S. Coast Guard on February 22 issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin 02-23, "Updating Contact Information for TWIC and MMC Eligibility Determinations." The MSIB notes, in part: Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) applicants or holders who have had their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) application denied or TWIC revoked as a result of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Threat Assessment may also have their MMC revoked. Failure to obtain or remain eligible to hold a TWIC may serve as a basis for the denial of an MMC application or as a basis for suspension and revocation action(s) against an MMC. Mariners who receive a TWIC Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility (PDI) letter from the TSA and intend to appeal TSA's determination or seek a waiver, should promptly respond to TSA to mitigate potential TWIC and/or MMC denial or revocation.

TSA will send a PDI letter to the last address provided to TSA by the TWIC applicant or holder. The PDI letter will contain information on how to appeal the determination within 60 days of the PDI. If an individual's address on file is not current and they do not receive the PDI letter, the 60-day period will not be extended. "If the individual does not respond to the PDI within 60 days, TSA's determination becomes final and a TWIC will not be issued or the current TWIC will be revoked, including publication on the TWIC Canceled Card List (CCL)."

The complete MSIB, which includes additional information and online resources for verifying information on file with the TSA and National Maritime Center, is available on the Coast Guard website.