Many Foss marine and shoreside employees—along with mariners across the country—will soon be required by the federal government to carry tamper resistant Smart Cards containing their biometric information (i.e., their fingerprints). To help defray the cost of these cards for its employees and encourage speedy, 100% compliance, Foss has agreed to pick up the tab.
Under a new federal mandate, by September 25, 2008, all merchant mariners (marine employees) and shore side personnel who need unescorted access to secure areas of ports, facilities or vessels regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) must have a government issued Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
In order to ease the financial burden to Foss employees required to carry the card, Foss Maritime has decided to reimburse employees for the initial card.