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Twic Enrollment News

06 Aug 2014

AWO Praises Simplification of TWIC Process

Tom Allegretti, AWO President & CEO

Last week, the Transportation Security Administration began nationwide implementation of a program that reforms the burdensome process by which mariners and other transportation workers receive required Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC). The TWIC OneVisit program eliminates the requirement that workers make two trips to a TWIC enrollment center to pick up and then activate their TWIC. Under the new, streamlined process, a mariner can apply for a TWIC at an enrollment center and opt to receive the credential by mail.

04 Jan 2013

AWO Applauds Passage of Coast Guard Bill

Tom Allegretti, AWO’s President & CEO

Maritime Workers Applaud Congressional Passage, Presidential Signature of Coast Guard Bill. On behalf of the American Waterways Operators (AWO) and its 350 member companies, AWO President & CEO Tom Allegretti thanked bipartisan leaders in Congress for passing and President Obama for signing the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act into law late last month. The bill contained several AWO-supported provisions, including legislation that simplifies the process for mariners…

09 Dec 2011

Legislation Aimed at Reducing TWIC Red Tape

Bill Would Reform Enrollment Process in Flawed TWIC Program. U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced legislation today that would reform the burdensome enrollment process of the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) program, which provides biometric identification cards to mariners and other transportation workers in order to allow them unescorted access to secure areas of ports, vessels, and other maritime facilities. Under current rules, merchant mariners, port employees, truck drivers, and other workers are required to make repeated visits to a TWIC enrollment center in order to apply for and obtain credentials.

22 Oct 2008

Jacksonville – TWIC Enrollment Encouraged

Starting December 1, port workers must have a TWIC to gain unescorted access to facilities in all port facilities. A TWIC is required for any individual requiring unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, such as vessel crewmembers, longshoremen, truckers, agents, railroad personnel and contractors. It can take four to six weeks from the time of enrollment to the time that an applicant receives their TWIC, so port workers need to enroll as soon as possible to meet the December 1 enforcement date. The Coast Guard has been working with port facility operators to gauge the progress of TWIC enrollment leading up to the December 1 deadline.

16 Oct 2008

TWIC Enrollment Deadline Draws Near-South Carolina

Starting December 1, port workers must have a TWIC to gain unescorted access to facilities in all port facilities. A TWIC is required for any individual requiring unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, such as vessel crewmembers, longshoremen, truckers, agents, and contractors. It can take four to six weeks from the time of enrollment to the time that an applicant receives their TWIC, so port workers need to enroll as soon as possible to meet the December 1enforcement date. The Coast Guard has been working with port facility operators to gauge the progress of TWIC enrollment leading up to the December 1 deadline. Port leaders estimated that 15…

11 Sep 2008

DHS Issues TWIC Enforcement Reminders

The Department of Homeland Security has started distribution of reminders that enforcement of the requirement for maritime workers to have their Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs) commences for marine facilities in on October 15. As of that date, maritime workers will be denied unescorted access to such facilities unless they have a valid TWIC in their possession. The reminders come in two forms: a one-page flyer and a two-page pocket card, but the information is the same. The New England enforcement area includes all facilities within USCG Captain of the Port Zones Northern New England, , and . Within this area, TWIC enrollment centers are located in , , , , , Bourne, and .   Source: HK Law

08 Sep 2008

From Canines to Liquefied Natural Gas

For the past several years, maritime security has been on everyone's mind. From the halls of Congress to the longshoremen working the midnight shift, the threat of a possible terrorist attack on the maritime interests of the United States and dealing with new security requirements have kept this topic on the front burner. While most in the maritime industry are relatively aware of the legislation that has been promulgated since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, new evolving legislation continues to be implemented. In this regard, the most recent legislation that addresses the continuing implementation of the maritime security regime is the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, HR 2830 (the "Bill").

15 Aug 2008

Houston Gets Second TWIC Enrollment Site

Port and longshore workers, truckers and others who require unescorted access to the are now able to enroll for the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) at a second enrollment site to meet the high demand in the area. More than 200,000 workers are expected to enroll at the local enrollment centers before the compliance deadline. Currently, the program has enrolled approximately 40,000 employees in the region. Nationwide, more than 1.2 million workers with unescorted access to secure areas will apply during the rest of 2008 and through April 2009. Workers at the are able to pre-enroll for TWIC online at www.tsa.gov/twic or the Coast Guard's Homeport site, http://homeport.uscg.mil.

05 May 2008

Cummings Statement on Extension of TWIC Enrollment Deadline

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, released the following statement in response to the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that the deadline for implementation of the Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential (TWIC) will be extended from September 25, 2008 to April 15, 2009. As of April 30, only 260,000 people of an estimated 1.2 million who will need the card had enrolled. “The TWIC program is an essential component in protecting our nation from potential terror threats, and we must ensure that its implementation is conducted in the most efficient and effective manner.

24 Apr 2008

TSA Announces Enrollment Dates for the TWIC at Various Ports

Port workers, longshoremen, truckers and others at the ports of , and will begin enrolling individuals in the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The program's goal is to ensure that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a security threat. Nationwide, more than 1 million workers with unescorted access to secure areas will apply in 2008. M-F: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. M-F: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. M-F: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. , and are among the ports that have begun enrollment in the nationwide program. Ultimately, TSA will establish fixed enrollment centers at 147 ports and will deploy mobile enrollment centers to dozens of other locations as needed.

06 Mar 2008

Georgia Ports Authority Completes TWIC Enrollment

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has completed the initial employee enrollment process for the Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The federally mandated TWIC requirement created by the Department of Homeland Security is a common identification credential for individuals requiring unescorted access to secure or restricted areas of seaports. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) opened the TWIC Enrollment Center in Savannah, Ga. in November 2007. Since November, the GPA has enrolled all of its employees in Savannah and Brunswick. “The cooperation of all port users is required to ensure the program’s successful implementation in Georgia,” said GPA’s Executive Director Doug J. Marchand.

05 Mar 2008

TWIC Enrollment at Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a press release stating that enrollment of maritime workers for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) will commence in the Ports of Marine City, Michigan (March 5); St. Louis (March 5); Palm Beach (March 6); St. Ignace (March 6); Newport News (March 12); Panama City, Florida (March 12); San Diego (March 13); Gulfport (March 19); Key West (March 19); and Traverse City (March 20). Source: HK Law

07 Feb 2008

TWIC Enrollment Begins in Ashtabula

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) has commenced for maritime workers in the Port of Ashtabula, Ohio.

24 Jan 2008

Cummings: Fix Delays in TWIC Enrollment

Yesterday, during a hearing convened to review the progress of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, called upon Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Coast Guard to address the issues impeding a seamless introduction of the program. The TWIC card was designed to prevent access to secure areas of maritime transportation facilities by individuals who pose a threat to our nation’s security.

23 Jan 2008

Cummings to Convene TWIC Hearing

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, will convene a Subcommittee hearing on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card. The purpose of the hearing is to receive an update on the enrollment process as well as the process for applicants with past criminal convictions to apply for waivers, making them eligible to receive the TWIC card. In addition to a general overview of the TWIC enrollment process, the hearing will also focus specifically on the experiences of the Port of Baltimore in TWIC enrollment.

18 Jan 2008

TWIC Enrollment Begins at Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has commenced the enrollment of port workers in Port Canaveral, Florida and Ontonagon, Michigan for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). For those not intimately familiar with Michigan, Ontonagon is a community on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Source: HK Law

07 Jan 2008

TWIC Enrollment Commences in New Orleans

Port and longshore workers, truckers and others at the Port of New Orleans are now able to enroll in the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The program's goal is to ensure that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a security threat. Nationwide, more than 1 million workers with unescorted access to secure areas will apply for TWIC during 2008. More than 40 ports have begun enrollment in the nationwide program. Ultimately, TSA will establish fixed enrollment centers at 147 ports and will deploy mobile enrollment centers to dozens of other locations as needed.

03 Jan 2008

TWIC Enrollment Begins at Memphis Port

The Port of Memphis will begin to enroll in the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential ( TWIC ) program. The program's goal is to ensure that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a security threat. Nationwide, more than 1 million workers with unescorted access to secure areas will apply for TWIC during the remainder of 2007 and next year. Memphis is among the first 40 ports to begin enrollment in the nationwide program. Ultimately, fixed enrollment centers will be in place at 147 ports along with mobile enrollment centers at dozens of other locations as needed.

27 Dec 2007

TWIC Enrollment at Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a notice stating that enrollment of maritime workers for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) will commence: (1) in Hilo, HI on January 3; (2) in International Falls, MN; Ontonagon, MI; Morehead City, NC; and Huntington, WV on January 16; and (3) in Port Canaveral, FL on January 17. 72 Fed. Reg. 73040 (HK Law).

14 Dec 2007

TSA – TWIC enrollment – Various Ports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a notice stating that maritime workers may commence enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in the ports of Peoria and Joliet (December 20); Memphis (December 27); and Buffalo. source: HK Law

01 Nov 2007

Oversight Hearing on TWIC Implementation

The House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the TWIC Program. In his prepared remarks, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) expressed his concern that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is far behind schedule and that the estimates of the number of workers affected are much understated. Testimony was for the record, as the hearing was interrupted by a floor vote. Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, USCG, explained how the program is being rolled out on a port-by-port basis and that progress is being made with regard to the card reader technology. Ms. Cathleen Berrick…

25 Sep 2007

TSA to Use Maritime Spec for Worker ID

Administration has adopted a maritime industry specification for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential biometric reader and the contactless smart card. TSA and the Coast Guard selected a recommendation advanced by the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee to require encryption and use of the so-called TWIC privacy key as the working specification for readers. The TWIC privacy key is a scheme advanced by the advisory committee to utilize encryption to protect information on the cards. The TWIC has been in development and testing for at least three years, and in 2006 it was decided that the ID card should conform to the Federal Information Processing Standard 201 for government employees.

17 Apr 2007

TWIC Hearing

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a hearing on implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. Chairman Inouye (D-HI) expressed concern about the extended delays in activation of the program. Vice-Chairman Stevens (R-AK) stated that congressional tolerance for further missed deadlines is waning. Mr. Kip Hawley, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), provided an update on the TWIC program. He stated that TWIC enrollment will begin at select ports and will proceed throughout the nation over the next 18-24 months. RADM Brian Salerno, USCG discussed the Coast Guard’s efforts in the TWIC program. Mr. Norman J.