The northern , along with other mid-Atlantic ports, is scheduled to begin enforcing the use of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) at port terminals in the December 2008 through January 2009 time frame.
For the Northern Chesapeake Bay and the , the Captain of the Port, Capt. Brian Kelley, will release a specific enforcement/ compliance date 90 days prior to requiring the use of TWIC at port terminals.
All port interest should expect this announcement to be made through the Federal Register between September and October 2008. Capt. Kelley advises all port personnel to enroll immediately.
U.S. Merchant Mariners, owners and operators of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated vessels (possessing any sort of U.S. Coast Guard credential) must obtain a TWIC no later than April 15, 2009 by law.
Workers can pre-enroll for their TWIC online at www.tsa.gov/twic. Pre-enrolling speeds up the process by allowing workers to provide biographic information and to schedule a time to complete the application process in person. The pre-enrollment process reduces the time it takes to complete enrollment in the TWIC program and eliminates waiting at enrollment centers.