Twic process

C

captd

New member
Anyone go through the process? I have decide to go for it and not quite sure what is involved. I made a post on Tugnuts. No comments at this point. I know we have quite a few Licenced captains on this site. My understanding is that you must get a Twic card before you can renew or get new licence. Sounds like you must appear at a Twic center to get the job done. My question is: What is to be done at this meeting?

No more documents, instead you get your credentials in a passbook type format. It is red in color.
Twic stands for: Transportation Workers identification card.
captd
 
Hi Darrel,

Going through the TWIC process is like getting a background check. They take your fingerprints, photograph you, take your info, then run a background check on you. As I understand, the original intent was to take the background check out of the CG licensing process, thus the "requirement".

You get a card with an electronic chip in it that has your info. It can be scanned to obtain that. You need to the card to get in and out of commercial ports and to access "secure" areas. It's not just for boat captains - in our area, port workers were required to have it, as well.

When I renewed my license, the TWIC was just coming on-line. Since I already had my new license upgrade, the TWIC was discounted a few buck... apparently on the premise that I had been through the fingerprinting/background check process just a couple months before.

You have to appear in person and pick up the TWIC card in person. No big deal... even with my association with various characters on this forum, it didn't show up in the background check. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
CaptD
Go to the web site and preregister. You can just show up but since I was coming to Long Beach CA from AZ I got an appointment. Quick review of your info and a picture taken. Out the door in 15 minutes but... about three weeks later when the card is received a return trip to activate the card with your fingerprint. Again not much more than 15 minutes and no big deal if you have a processing center nearby. This operation is being conducted by a civilian subcontractor. Expect lots of young nerdy types doing the interviews.
Les
 
Good info Jim & Les. I knew someone had to have got it done. I'll go for 5 more years then do the continuity thing. On to the drug test.
Thanks :thup

captd
 
helesh":3ipzo6e8 said:
CaptD
Go to the web site and preregister. You can just show up but since I was coming to Long Beach CA from AZ I got an appointment. Quick review of your info and a picture taken. Out the door in 15 minutes but... about three weeks later when the card is received a return trip to activate the card with your fingerprint. Again not much more than 15 minutes and no big deal if you have a processing center nearby. This operation is being conducted by a civilian subcontractor. Expect lots of young nerdy types doing the interviews.
Les
Click to expand...

That was my experience , too. I only had to go to Tampa.
 
For all of you suckers that had to get a worthless TWIC card, take a look at the expiration date. Mine was about to expire so I went on line and clicked a few computer buttons to renew it. There is a limited time offer that allows you to renew for three more years for $60. I just clicked a few buttons and will go pick up my new one today. The other option is a five year renewal that costs about $130.

Has anybody found a use for this required card? It won't get you through airport security any faster, can't get you in or out of Canada...can't even use for ID in the bar....it looks cool though

I'm thinking there is a chance that in five years the TWIC card may not be needed for us near coastal folks
 
B~C":1lehnr41 said:
For all of you [with a] TWIC card, take a look at the expiration date.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this :thup I did not have a reminder set up and mine expires in May (the expiry is not coordinated with other licenses so it's not that easy to remember). You probably saved me a hassle (if I'd had to renew after it expired) - I now have a reminder set up in early April.
 
B~C":hojwlpgd said:
For all of you suckers that had to get a worthless TWIC card, take a look at the expiration date. Mine was about to expire so I went on line and clicked a few computer buttons to renew it. There is a limited time offer that allows you to renew for three more years for $60. I just clicked a few buttons and will go pick up my new one today. The other option is a five year renewal that costs about $130.

Has anybody found a use for this required card? It won't get you through airport security any faster, can't get you in or out of Canada...can't even use for ID in the bar....it looks cool though

I'm thinking there is a chance that in five years the TWIC card may not be needed for us near coastal folks
Click to expand...

Count me in that group! Ha ha
I have never once been asked to show my card. You can't work as a captain in Boston without it though so it's a necessary cost/hassle. I just had to renew mine. Hopefully the requirement will go away....

--Matt
 
I did the 3 year renewal last spring (online, had to pick up the card in person). The word I got shortly after that was: you will not be required to renew your TWIC card sometime in the future, but all new captain licenses will have to have the TWIC (first time around) to be valid.

The original premise of the TWIC was to replace the ID process that the Coast Guard put you through when applying for a captains license. I was one of the lucky ones who renewed my captains license when the TWIC first came online... meaning I got to be fingerprinted and had all my personal data checked by the Coast Guard (again), THEN did exactly the same thing about a month later for the TWIC credential. What a waste of time and money.

Like everyone else, the only time I have been asked for the TWIC is when signing in for a new job (because the employer knew I was supposed to have one). When checked out by the Coast Guard at one job, I specifically asked if they needed to see the TWIC card (they did ask to see my license), and the guy said, "We don't have the readers to access the info on the chip, so, no."

In our home area, they required every 6-pack fishing guide to get a TWIC card, and those guys aren't ever going into a "secure area"... unless that's where the fish are. :wink:

It was a good premise that no one knew what to do with. At the port nearest us, truck drivers and port workers are required to have the TWIC card, also. The guy who renewed my TWIC card last time said about 80% of the cards they are issuing are not for mariners.

Another illusion of security (IMHO).

Jim
 
B~C":2ncqk86n said:
For all of you suckers that had to get a worthless TWIC card, take a look at the expiration date. Mine was about to expire so I went on line and clicked a few computer buttons to renew it. There is a limited time offer that allows you to renew for three more years for $60. I just clicked a few buttons and will go pick up my new one today. The other option is a five year renewal that costs about $130.

Has anybody found a use for this required card? It won't get you through airport security any faster, can't get you in or out of Canada...can't even use for ID in the bar....it looks cool though

I'm thinking there is a chance that in five years the TWIC card may not be needed for us near coastal folks
Click to expand...


I have used mine daily for the last 4&1/2 years at the TESORO refinery / KPL Marine terminal at Nikiski, AK. Also required to enter the OSK dock area (support for offshore platforms in Cook Inlet) other than that it is useless :wink: :roll: :lol:
 
Funnest piece of plastic I've ever carried is my concealed carry permit. I often use it for ID just to see the expressions on the faces of the people when I pull it out. I just say, "oops" thought I was getting my drivers license. Other than that, I don't use it. Too lazy to carry and follow all of the rules. But, fun to have the license and enjoyed the training.

TWIC? For sissy's. :):)
 
potter water":143dgan1 said:
Funnest piece of plastic I've ever carried is my concealed carry permit. I often use it for ID just to see the expressions on the faces of the people when I pull it out. I just say, "oops" thought I was getting my drivers license. Other than that, I don't use it. Too lazy to carry and follow all of the rules. But, fun to have the license and enjoyed the training.

TWIC? For sissy's. :):)
Click to expand...

Ha ha - I would not suggest pulling that prank at the bank!

:lol:
 
I worked for the Federal Government and had to get a TWIC, do to my daily interaction with the maritime industry in Hampton Roads region. I never ever got to use the card.
As to getting one, as mentioned previously, pre-registering was key to getting in and out of the door at the business that was issuing the card.
 
In Florida--and many other states--it is legal to carry a concealed weapon (if licensed) in a bank. Federally run buildings--such as post office it is illegal.
 
Hey, hey, a possible good use for the card. I asked the guy at the twic store what the heck the card was actually good for and he said not much, but, he had heard of folks using it as federal ID to get the goverment discount for lodging. I wonder if I can go hang out with Opra and Michelle in HI for a bit
 
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