ITCS Memo# 2487 - Transportation Worker Identification Credential

To: RIAC
From: IRCA Chairman
Date: 2/8/07
Subject: Transportation Worker Identification Credential
ITCS Memo # 2487

Subject: Transportation Worker Identification Credential
NAVNOTICE # 752

Marine Safety Information Bulletin #01-07

This bulletin is used purely for informational purposes to assist the maritime community within the Sector Upper Mississippi River Area of Responsibility. Its purpose is to advise relevant parties of emerging information & situations that may impact our Marine Transportation System as well as facilitates cooperation among the involved parties regarding actions that we may be taking and/or that you may need to employ in the interest of safety/security.

1. On 25 January 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration published the Final Rule in the Federal Register for the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The rule lays out the enrollment process, disqualifying crimes, usage procedures, fees and other requirements for workers, port owners/operators and all mariners holding a Coast Guard license or document. These guidelines allow the industry, government and public to prepare for the implementation of this important security program.

2. Sector Upper Mississippi River (UMR) will be holding an informational meeting on the TWIC Final Rule for all maritime industry owners/operators and representatives. The purpose of this meeting is to present information on the TWIC Final Rule as we have received it to date.

3. TWIC enrollment for the Sector UMR zone will begin at a date to be published in the federal register in the near future. Sector UMR will notify workers of when and where to apply prior to the start of the enrollment period for the Sector UMR zone. After issuance of TWIC cards to all port workers has been accomplished, DHS will establish and publish a deadline by which all port workers in the Sector UMR zone will thereafter be required to possess a TWIC for unescorted access.

4. The meeting will be held Friday in the Robert A. Young federal building in the second deck auditorium from 0900-1100, 16 February 2007. The address to the R.A.Y. federal building is 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103.

5. The final rule is available on TSA’s web site at www.tsa.gov/twic and more information on port security is available at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Homeport site, http://homeport.uscg.mil, by clicking on the Maritime Security link.

6. Any questions regarding this information bulletin may be addressed to the Prevention Department, Sector Upper Mississippi River at (314) 269-2500 ext. 2686.