ATTENTION: ALL USCG LICENSEES

[Andy Denmark]

As many of you know I am a USCG Masters Rated Captain and have been active in the boat delivery business for many years. A fellow Captain attended this years BOAT/US Towing Conference and returned with the following information directly from the Commandant of the Coast Guard who made a presentation at said conference. It is important for all USCG licensed Captains to be aware of this pertinent new law as there is certain to be a last minute rush for certification once the new requirement is made known in other publications.

There is now a law that ALL USCG License holders pass a rather stringent background check for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC. The deadline for application for the TWIC is 9/25/2008 and the cost is $132.50. This TWIC requirement is now a part of the application for new license applicants as well as current license holders. Again, the TWIC is now required of all licensees and is not optional.

Further, there is no provision for current licensees to be notified of the TWIC requirement except as listed in the current Federal Register and a few other (unnamed) public sources. The TWIC requirement will be enforced at all levels incuding random safety and security checks on the water, and through employers of licensed individuals. Any job requiring a USCG License must now include the TWIC.

While I am generally skeptical of government intervention in most things (as our lawmakers often achieve the opposite of what they set out to correct) this is a giant step in protecting the country's most vulnerable areas, our ports. With the explosion of so-called Captain's classes and grossly simplified testing requirements, almost anyone can obtain a 6-pack or higher rating by simply memorizing the test questions, falsifying their experience and writing a check. Anyone wishing to do serious harm to maritime shipping or a port can easily obtain a license that would make access to these areas easier. The TWIC background check will hopefully screen out some of the bad guys who would deliberately do harm to our country and the $132.50 and application complexity will help minimize the proliferaton of "Captain wannabes."

Here's the link to the TWIC Program for those who are interested:


https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/AboutTWIC.do
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Jaguar mark v specifications

[BillNH]

While I am generally skeptical of government intervention in most things (as our lawmakers often achieve the opposite of what they set out to correct) this is a giant step in protecting the country's most vulnerable areas, our ports. With the explosion of so-called Captain's classes and grossly simplified testing requirements, almost anyone can obtain a 6-pack or higher rating by simply memorizing the test questions, falsifying their experience and writing a check. Anyone wishing to do serious harm to maritime shipping or a port can easily obtain a license that would make access to these areas easier. The TWIC background check will hopefully screen out some of the bad guys who would deliberately do harm to our country and the $132.50 and application complexity will help minimize the proliferaton of "Captain wannabes."

Sorry Andy, but respectfully I couldn't disagree with you more on this one. I also hold a USCG license, a 7th issue unlimited tonnage Chief Mate and 1600 ton Master, all endorsed for sail as well as motor and steam, and have followed the TWIC controversy from the beginning.

The TWIC program was concieved in the immediate aftermath of 9-11. The reason it's taken so long to implement is that the concept and its implementation was poorly thought through and has been plagued with problems from the beginning.

The TWIC program was to have two components - ID cards for mariners, and a card-reader on every vessel and in every shoreside facility. The protests and appeals over the huge financial impact of installing card readers electronically linked to the government data base on every vessel, including Mom & Pop tour boats, harbor tugs and the like has kept the second part of the program years from ever being implemented, so we're left with half a program to start.

As you know, everyone with a USCG license has already been through a government background check, several if you count also being run through the national drivers license registry as well. Add in the mandatory drug testing and the screening that employers also perform through the insurance claim databases, and you've got a pretty comprehensive package.

A license is not going to get you access to anywhere either. In several decades of going to sea I've never had port security ask to see my license. All facilities are already required to have security plans which include access control. In fact, many US mariners now can't get shore leave in US ports because the terminals choose not to include mariner access through the facility (to get to a taxi or into town) in their facility security plans.

I don't think it'd the people with USCG licenses that we need to worry about in our harbors. Somehow I don't think potential terrorists are lining up to get sixpack licenses. There's no need to have a license to operate a boat in a major harbor if it's in recreational use, even a big yacht or sportfisherman. Anyone can load a boat full of whatever and do whatever dastardly deed they conceive without a coast guard license.

The very people that bear the burden of the TWIC program are actually one of the country's best resources in protecting ports. These are the tugboat captains and tour boat operators that know their harbors intimately, even better than the local Coast Guard. They are the eyes and ears out there every day that might be the first to notice when something is amiss, and should be treated as resources and allies in the effort to protect ports, not as potential terrorists.

I don't think that making legitimate working American mariners jump through another expensive bureaucratic hoop is actually going to do much for the security of our nation's ports.

Never the less, the TWIC cards are here to stay, and Andy is correct that you shouldn't wait until the last minute if you'll need to get one. Complete the registration paperwork online beforehand, and be sure to make an appointment for your processing, as walk-ins are handled after everyone with an appointment - you could end up waiting all day.

Anyhow, just my $0.02 worth...

[captalex]

As a Unlimited Master and the Port Captain for an offshore corporation I would also like to add the effect all these redundant regulations have on our employment pool. Not to many years ago an unskilled and in many instances uneducated person could start out in the maritime field and work there way up to a very decent living offshore. Today the cost associated with an entry level position is counterproductive and finding individuals willing to spend thousands to try a career is shrinking. I cannot think of another industry that is regulated to this extreme. I often wonder who is going to run and maintain these vessels in ten years if the government continues down this path. Already this year (08) we have lost highly experienced personnel to overseas companies and the trend looks to continue as license renewals / endorsements / STCW / MMD / TWIC get more and more cost and time consuming. Just another 2 cents worth!

[Andy Denmark]

Thanks for adding a different perspective. I guess I didn't look at this issue from your common viewpoints. What I do see when I go through a major port is the ease with which a terrorist could do major damage with a boat full of HE. One only has to look at the USS Cole incident to see the outcome and multiply the effects of that with an LPG carrier or supertanker as the target. The Cole bombing was an act of war and the fact that our then president didn't have the resolve to act and perhaps forestall 9/11 only exemplifies my point.

I agree that the best people to spot and warn of activities in and around our ports are the very ones that will be burdened by implementation of this law. I, like everyone else with a rating, have received communications from Homeland Security advising us to keep a sharp lookout for suspicious activity. While I have to agree that a license is not needed if someone wants to do major damage using a pleasure vessel with an unlicensed operator in control, the hijacking of a larger vessel (such as a tanker or bulk carrier) may well be thwarted by having TWIC in place. One thing that TWIC might do then, is help insure that a dangerous person would not be allowed access to the places or vessels from which maximum damage could be inflicted.

All this said TWIC is now law and we must toe the line, as burdensome as it will certainly be, and watch it happen. I have posed the question, as yet unanswered, that my CCW permit required a much more stringent background check than the one required for TWIC and thus should suffice for this requirement. The word I got was that it probably wouldn't.

I didn't mean to initiate controversy with this but merely wanted to forewarn folks of this new TWIC requirement and urge them to act appropriately to keep their licenses valid.[/i]
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THIRD-GENERATION CHEVROLET CAMARO HISTORY

[Jim Davis]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This ter·ror·ism Audio Help (těr'ə-rĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.

The key is to cause change in the target audience's behavior.

With all the new directives, regulations and proposals being floated by Homeland Security, ET AL I have to ask the question "Who is winning?"

At some point common sense has to come back into the picture. However, considering that government officials at all levels are worried about something happening on their watch and coming back to bite them in the ass, I think we will see a continuation of issuing regulations and restrictions.

[Seawolf]

I have just a launch license for my job. Will this new regulation apply to me, too?

[DougSabbag]

I read the TWIC rules at Homeland Security, and found the intent is to identify those people who would need to have unescorted access to secured ports / vessels. We private sailors, even 6 pack licensed ones, do not need unescorted access to marine port facilities, i.e. container shipping facilities, etc., and when you dig down very deep, the specific vessels which fall under the TWIC guidelines are only those vessels which: “If you own or operate a vessel we describe in 33 CFR 104.105”

These are the USCG 33 CFR 104.105 vessel regulations:

Q. What vessels are affected by 33 CFR Part 104?
Ans. The regulations found in 33 CFR 104.105 affect the following vessels:

�� Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), cargo, or passenger vessels subject SOLAS

�� Foreign cargo vessels greater than 100 gross register tons;

�� U.S. self-propelled cargo vessels greater than 100 gross register tons subject CFR subchapter I, except commercial fishing vessels;

�� Vessels subject to 46 CFR chapter I, and subchapter L;

�� Passenger vessels subject to 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter H;

�� Passenger vessels certificated to carry more than 150 passengers;

�� Other passenger vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, including at least one passenger-for-hire;

�� Barge subject to 46 CFR chapter I, subchapters D or O;

�� Barge subject to 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter I, that carries Certain Dangerous Cargoes in bulk, or on an international voyage;

�� Tankship subject to 46 CFR chapter I, subchapters D or O; and

�� Towing vessel greater than eight meters in registered length that is engaged towing a barge or barges subject to this part (except for some assistance vessels).

In conclusion, my Gulfstar 50, SV Triumph does not falls within these definitions, and I am not a “maritime worker requiring access to secured facilities”. So, I, and those of you like me, do not need a TWIC.

[captalex]

The rule clearly states all USCG -credentialed mariners must have there TWIC card by the end of this year. At this time you probably will never have to use it, but as soon as you are up for renewal on your documents you will need it. The USCG is also purchasing handheld scanners for boarding teams so if you ever run your vessel as a charter you will need to have it in the event of safety check by your local CG station. If you do not charter and only use the vessel for pleasure I would hang your license on the wall at home until your sure you meet all nec. requirements to avoid a needless fine.

[DougSabbag]

I'm going to bet that the review process of this new law, will identify numerous exclusions, including small charter vessels, amongst them. Therefore, utilizing the part of being an American I enjoy, i.e., the part where I can use my OWN brain, I am going to disregard this TWIC, since I am not a transportation worker of concern to them. Not to mention, nobody is going to stop me from sailing MY BOAT, because I am not holding a TWIC. I am also NOT going to hang any license on any walls. I only display attractive pictures, i.e., art. Life is to be enjoyed and relished, not to be complied with. A big part of our pleasure in the act of cruising, is the freedom from the social and governmental rules which we might choose to disregard. There is already WAY too much "compliance" these days in our post 9/11 world for this Americans' taste. QUESTION AUTHORITY!

[David Perry]

Andy, if it is of any help, the fee is only $105.50 if you hold a MML issued after Jan 13, 2006. Of course, they will only validate the TWIC for 5 years after your licence was issued, rather than 5 years from when the TWIC is issued.
My brother in law has an oil transport company with 250 employees that will need TWIC's for going into marine terminals, Navy bases, etc, which he will re-imburse them for.
My $105.50 looks good compared to his $33,125!

[Andy Denmark]

My solution to this is simple. I simply won't renew my license (it's run out anyway) and avoid this bureaucratic nonsense and expense. I'm a week from being 7O years old (people years) and if I miss out on a delivery now and then it's no big deal. If I planned a lot of offshore sailing that took me to foreign ports then I wouldn't take this tack. But my time now is to enjoy sailing and I'm realistically limited to near coastal jaunts and maybe the Bahamas.

Now I'm just another boater who doesn't need a license anymore.

My $.02 worth.
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EASY VAPE VAPORIZER

[David Perry]

Actually, for delivery of a vessel, you really don't need one, do you?Although the credibility factor is increased.
At Robinhood Marine we felt that it was wise to be licenced as, in the situation of demonstrating a boat for sea trial, new or used, we have people aboard for potential profit. A "gray" area in the rules does exclude such broker situations, but it is somewhat gray, so being licenced eliminates the question.

[Andy Denmark]

As far as I know there has never been a legal requirement for a delivery captain to be licensed. Many years ago, when having a license meant something, a few insurance companies made it a requirement for a delivery captain to be licensed if the owner was not aboard in order for the insurance to be in force over the course of the delivery. This made some sense and I missed a few deliveries by not being licensed. So, I got a OUPV rating and immediately upgraded to Masters with Sail, Radar & Towing endorsements because I had mucho days from many deliveries plus usage of my own boats. Much of this was in the category of "near coastal" so this exercise was pretty much a shoo-in and I stopped being turned down for deliveries from not having an appropriate license. It's been a long time since licensing has been a point of discussion and I'm not sure that anyone gives a damn anymore if a captain is licensed.

Personally I think hands-on experience better qualifies a captain than having a document that says one has passed a test on paper. While there are certainly some highly qualified persons getting licenses there is also a proliferation of licensees who are "in name only." The license mills walk these folks through with the information they need to pass a test, accept somewhat questionable experience, take their money, and guide them through the rest of the application process -- first aid, drug testing, etc. While there is a wealth of good information in these classes and the instructors are usually highly qualified, licensing is no longer the rigorous procedure it once was. I guess this follows the same pattern as the "dumbing down" of our public education system.
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Dream Fund

[Matt L.]

I just wanted to jump in with a tip for anyone on here who will need to obtain the TWIC card. There is an online pre-enrollment option, available at this site:

https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/

You provide your basic personal information and schedule a time to apply and pay in person at your nearest enrollment center. If your center is a busy one (I did it in New Orleans, possibly the busiest), it can save you hours in waiting. I managed to get in and out in about thirty minutes, while some of the other applicants, who simply showed up without pre-enrolling, spent somewhere in area of three hours waiting to be processed. Hope this helps.

[Matt L.]

Oops, missed the last paragraph of BillNH's post, about pre-enrollment. Anyway, I can personally vouch for the value of completing the online pre-application and scheduling before showing up. You'll waste close to a whole day otherwise.