BALTIMORE – The U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) remind owners and operators of facilities located within the Baltimore Captain of the Port zone that Dec. 30, 2008, marks the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program compliance date.
As previously announced by the Department of Homeland Security, the final compliance date for the full implementation of the TWIC program was extended to April 15, 2009. Beginning in October, the Coast Guard began phasing in nationwide compliance with the TWIC regulations by region. The Dec. 30, 2008, compliance date for Baltimore is one such regional phase-in.
Owners and operators of facilities and marine terminals are expected to implement TWIC access control procedures and restricted area procedures sufficiently in advance so that the terminal is in full compliance by midnight on Dec. 29, 2008.
This announcement does not apply to Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated vessels. MTSA-regulated vessels are not required to comply with the TWIC regulations until April 15, 2009.
Coast Guard-credentialed merchant mariners must obtain a TWIC by April 15, 2009. Until that time, and while traveling to locations where TWIC compliance is in effect, a valid Coast Guard-issued Merchant Mariner License, Merchant Mariner Document or Certificate of Registry and photo identification will be sufficient to obtain unescorted access to respective terminal and facility areas where TWIC is required.
TWIC was established in the MTSA and the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act to serve as an identification program for all Coast Guard credentialed mariners and personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas within a port. The program has opened more than 150 fixed enrollment centers and over 370 mobile sites nationwide. More than 725,000 workers have enrolled to date, however, it is highly encouraged that all commercial maritime workers enroll as soon as possible to avoid potential delays as may occur with an “enrollment surge” prior to the compliance date.
Information regarding the TWIC program can be found on TSA’s Web site at www.tsa.gov/twic as well as on the Coast Guard’s Homeport Web site at http://homeport.uscg.mil/
The addresses for the Baltimore TWIC enrollment centers are: 2200 Broening Hwy., Suite 220, Baltimore, Md; 3225 Old Washington Rd., Suite 2106, Waldorf, MD; and 212 West Main St., Suite 204C, Salisbury, Md.
