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TWIC Cards - Why and How?

Posted by Brandy Mcmullen on Mon, Nov 24, 2008 @ 10:00 AM
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If you are a driver or trucking company working in or around the ports, you have most likely heard about the TWIC Card. For those of you that haven't, or who have heard about it but are not clear on the nuts and bolts, we'd like to share our knowledge of the requirements in preparation for the port deadline.

Here's the skinny...TWIC stands for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program issued by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) in Nov 2002. It works to address the security credentials of individuals with unescorted access to facilities, vessels, and other port locations. Drivers must have these cards to gain access to the facilities to continue servicing customers with port affiliation.

To be eligible for a TWIC card, you must be a US Citizen or fall into an eligible immigration category. You must have a lawful presence, meaning no connections with terrorist activity, of sufficient mental capacity, and not convicted of certain crimes (espionage, sedition, treason, etc).

To view more specifics on eligibility or to complete your paperwork to obtain your TWIC card, open this application.

The cost is $132.50 payable by credit card, money order, or certified check. There is a cost savings for applicants who present a HME (Hazardous Material Endorsement), FAST (Free and Secure Trade), MMD (Merchant Mariner Document), or MML (Merchant Marine License) card. Their fee is $105.25. The card is valid for 5 years and can be used at any port.

Wondering what happens if you don't get a TWIC card? You'll need to hire an escort to gain access to the port. Their rates are $50.00 for the first two hours (minimum) and $25 per hour after.

Applicants must pre-enroll to schedule an appointment. Click here for this information or call (866)-347-8942.


Comments

Its amazing to me that the Smartest Leaders in this Country at T.S.A.,D.H.S,U.S.C.G.Some Senators and Signed by the President of the United States of America could Beleive that the TWIC Law is Fare Across the Board for the Major Shiping PORTS and the same for Public and Private Harbors across the Nation????The U.S.C.G.Licenced Captains in our Small Harbor in Kona Hawaii are Shaking our Heads in Disbelief at intrusion into our Lives.Honokohau Harbor is a Public Harbor with Stores,Launch Ramps,Gas Stations,Restuarants and opened to the Public!!So why do the Licenced Captains with Million Dollar Insureance on "Documented Vessels"need TWIC Cards when 100 Thousand People have and still do use the Harbor Facilities,Haulout Yard,Boat Storage Yard,Machine Shop,Thousands of Tourists,and other Public Businesses?I've had my U.S.C.G.Licence sence 1972 and the U.S.C.G.Honolulu Hawaii has Letters of Recommendation and Sea Time on me from 1968 with 7 Renewals and a Consortium Card,Business Permit,Commericial Slip Permit,Tax Payer,Home Owner,Drivers Licence,Passport,Father and in Honokohau Harbor from 1992 and Hawaii Sence 1970.If you Need the TWIC Card Get it,If You Want the TWIC Card Get It!but Don't Force Us to Buy Something we will NEVER USE!! We here in Honokohau Harbor will NEVER USE the TWIC Card Except to Save Our Livlihood of 37 Years,Theres No Gate!No Guard!Please Help Stop the Madness!! S-3377 is the Bill and Maybe our Hope for some Sence.Thank You Captain Bill Crawford,Kona Hawaii,"Chiripa Sportfishing"
Posted @ Tuesday, April 21, 2009 12:45 PM by William Crawford
I need to get in contact with someone in Hawaii to obtain a TWIC card for myself (Assist Director of Purchasing) and the Director of Purchasing both of Four Seasons Resorts Lanai. Thank you for your help.
Posted @ Monday, May 04, 2009 9:18 PM by Scott Kalehuawehe
Thanks for your comments so far! Scott, click on the website to apply for your TWIC: https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/ 
Good luck! I'll email you as well just in case.
Posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 7:21 AM by Brandy McMullen
Scott,Your Looking for the Hilo TWIC Office.No one over here can Under stand WHY(they set up in Hilo)! Theres over 200 Captains in Kona but they set up in Hilo.When I convenced them to Come to Kona they Signed Up 300 in 7 Days.At first the wanted all 300 to drive Round Trip Twice to Hilo.B.Crawford..--KONA--
Posted @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 10:16 AM by William Crawford
Why is a TWIC necassary? I have been going into ports for 30 years, what is so fearfull of a load of steel? Who is going to blow-up a load of pipe, steel sheets, coils, bags of cement, fertilizer, ect. ? I think it has more to do with getting a record on every citizen ( I undstand certain people are exempt ). The government ( United Nations / One World Government ) want your idenity ( DNA, looks, profile, ect. ). No sir, this does not pass the smell test!!! What do I have to hide ? Nothing ! My forefathers, mothers and kinfolk helped establish this nation, under the one true living GOD ! It is a matter of principal, honor, and dignity ! You need to read the book "The Future is Upon Us" by Roy L Smith. Yes, the future is NOW !!!
Posted @ Friday, May 08, 2009 9:55 PM by texasjayhawker
texasjayhawker,It's true what your saying,The Goverment is selling us OFF to there Friends in High Places for the All Mighty Dollar with NO thought of our Freedom or Dignaty whats so ever!! I have my Great Grandfathers Wedding Licence hanging on the wall in my Home.Los Angeles wedding Licence from 1906,Origanal!!Bill Crawford--KONA--
Posted @ Friday, May 08, 2009 11:55 PM by William Crawford
WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE,WITH NO JOBS THAT NEED A TWIC CARD IN ORDER TO GET A JOB,HOW CAN THEY GET A TWIC CARD IF IT'S A $132.00 THAT THEY DON'T HAVE BECAUSE THEY NEED A TWIC CARD IN ORDER TO GET A JOB
Posted @ Thursday, May 28, 2009 5:53 PM by damon lewis
I'm Still in High school at the moment. But when I get out I'd like to work on a tug boat. I heard I need my TWIC card and Merchant Marine Certification. Is there anything else I need?
Posted @ Sunday, October 04, 2009 9:45 AM by Scott Hinman
Scott,YA you need a Consortium Card TWIC Card and if I were You I'ed find another line of work now the State is Raising our G.E.T and our Slip Fees are going up when were going Broke because of nothing we've done.The government is going Broke and there Taking us Down with them.Are Charters can't come because the Countrys Leaders have let us down and theres no Money.I hate to sound Depressing but I've been doing this for 40 Years and things have Changed for the Worse.Good Luck.Capt.Crawford.KONA Hawaii
Posted @ Sunday, October 04, 2009 10:15 AM by William Crawford
The rason for the TWIC is plain and simple it is one ID used to gain access to Port Property usually shipping ports. As a Port Security Guard I would see 8-10 different typed of ID's a day and check close to 1300 of them in a 8 hr period.  
 
 
 
 
 
Also this is used to weave out crimnals with certain criminal history's that are more likley to commit more crimes on the Terminal Propery. I have been down in the Port for 4 1/2 years now and have seen it all. since the TWIC card has been required I have seen a dramatic decrease in criminal activity.  
 
Trust me I had to pay for my TWIC out of pocket in order to remain employed and it sucks. 
 
 
 
As far as responding to what i have read that has been posted its up to your Port Commisioner, CBP, Coast Guard, TSA, Homeland Security, FSO, make desition on who is required to obtain a TWIC, 
 
And Its Up to them to decide what is considered restricted area and not restricted. CPTS. and crew are required to have them becuase they travel in and out of restricted waters, ports, inlets and so on. 
 
And its obviouse why Longshoreman Are required some the Terminals inport and export military equipment, toxic waste, other wise materials that can be used for things we dont want getting in some peoples hands. hence one form of ID to show that you have passed a Federal back ground check and have been cleared by Homeland Security. 
 
 
 
Thanks for allowing me to put my two cents in. 
 
Posted @ Monday, November 02, 2009 11:12 AM by Port Security
Well it's been over a YEAR here in Honokohau Harbor,Kona Hawaii sence we've received our TWIC Cards and NOT ONE out of 200 has been used except for Giggles at the Airport to sneek into the Military Boarding Line.$28,000.oo out of our little Camunity streght to Lockeed Martin and soom of the Senators that signed the Bill Without Reading it.Theres NO Dought that the TWIC Law in Nothing more than another way for the Government to Tax us,and theres MORE ON the Way.Get Ready!!!How long will it take for the American Population to realize there being Swizzed?? Capt.Bill Crawford,Kona,Hawaii...
Posted @ Monday, November 02, 2009 11:45 AM by William Crawford
As a person who has worked in the Petroleum industry I  
 
understand the reason for this in the Port areas. When we are working on a pipeline project we are in some very highly security sensitive areas. This prevents the sabotague of the oil and gas pipelines into the ports, also protecting the receiving stations against having bombs planted and creating a massive shutdown of the refineries in the area. We have been regulated to near death level but this one is a little more reasonable than most. I am really surprised every truck driver is not required to obtain one of these cards as so many are sent to the ports to pick up the sea containers. This sounds more like a take the working mans money and pay the lazy bast**** who won't work program.
Posted @ Tuesday, December 15, 2009 3:13 AM by Elizabeth
Yea so what all do i need to work on a tug boat? 
and how much would they make starting bottom of the barrel?
Posted @ Tuesday, December 15, 2009 8:27 PM by Redneck
our gov should just trash the constitution. becuse we the people dont want do something about the right to work in stead of crying about it we have to do something.
Posted @ Thursday, December 24, 2009 7:35 PM by tony masone
what if someone (me) has a job, in the ship repair industry, the shipyard now requires a twic... i enrolled, waited six, yes six, months! before twic tells me they need more info on a felony thats twelve years past, for assault. then close my file before even sending me the leter. what gives??? i'm going to lose my job! while other employee's here in galveston, with worse and more recent records, get there twic. this SYSTEM has trully failed...
Posted @ Wednesday, January 20, 2010 11:29 AM by mboomerecampbell
The twic card is nothing more than a tax to work. They state, "it will make it harder for terrorist to infilterate our ports" this is a crock. I work in the petroleum industry. TWIC has not prevented illegals from gaining access to refineries. They just pay for fake credentials then go to the twic office and apply. 9 outta 10 of them recieve a twic card. Another failed government program, that taxes the working man.
Posted @ Friday, January 29, 2010 11:11 AM by Tim Beech
The TWIC card is just another good idea that can't work it will work on honest americans but someone wanting to commit an act of terrior will have a fake one and that security guard checking 1300 a day won't know the difference I don't have the anser but this isn't it.The gov. tries to control everything and the can't control themselves let the people have control of their on lives and livlyhood. Laws can't control the lawless
Posted @ Tuesday, February 09, 2010 10:01 PM by Unemployed Operator
i am a crane operateor in devver colorado had to turn down a job because idident have one how do i accuquire one
Posted @ Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:07 PM by stanley m lupinski
is the permit truck drivers need to get?
Posted @ Thursday, February 18, 2010 4:34 PM by LIZ
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