Just an FYI for those in the Baltimore area who are going to need a TWIC. The TWIC Enrollment Center opens on 21 Nov 07.

Its location is:
2200 Broening Highway
Suite 220
Baltimore, MD

Also, FYI, Credit Card & Money orders. No checks, no cash. (I'm kinda old fashion i guess)

Also, Pre-enroll online to save yourself some time.

Oh yeah, also, the one in Boston was in a back alley in Southy, with zero signs leading to it.
Right next door to one of Whitey Bulger's old buildings, as a matter of fact!
Hopefully Baltimore was a little more selective with their location.

Baltimore's location is OK. Its right outside the main Port area. We had the same issue with signage. They didn't even put a sign identifying the Center outside the office. Go figure.

Other than that, things have gone rather smooth. Customer turnaround is pretty much how TSA/Lockheed/Deloitte claimed it would be.

As mentioned, Pre-Enrollment is the key to expedite your TWIC Enrollment experience!

Agreed. Once inside, the Lockheed folks were quick and professional.

Applied for mine in Jacksonville. In and out in 10 minutes. Will return in two weeks for pick up and activation.

Was that the approximate time they gave you for turnaround? Seems really quick to me.

Just wanted to give my .02 cents about TWIC. I'm an AB working for a large tug and barge company, and have been following the TWIC thing for some time. Have wanted to get it done with, to avoid the coming fiasco when everybody finally wakes up and realizes it's too late, and applies at the last minute. So, when the enrollment center opened in Tacoma, I did what everyone recommended and pre-enrolled. I had to wait 2 weeks to to get the appointment. When I did finally show up, there was no one at the center, apart from the workers there. I was seen immediately. Even though I had an appointment, the woman just entered everything in as if I didn't. I paid, and was out of there in something like 15 minutes. I received approval via email 9 days later. When I went to pick it up, the place was again deserted, apart from the staff. About 15 minutes later, I was done, TWIC in hand.

My point is, by pre-enrolling, I actually took 2 weeks longer to get it done, hardly a big time saver. If I had just walked in on the first day it opened, I believe that I would've been seen and been able to enroll. The staff at the center there told me to tell my friends to just come in, that there is usually hardly any waiting time, and they can take care of people on the spot. I have a friend, a guy I work with, who I convinced to go to the Seattle enrollment center without an appointment. I went with him, to see for myself. Again, staff only. He was seen immediately, and was done in about 15 minutes. So, I've been to 2 enrollment centers, 3 visits total, and from my experience (admittedly its not a huge sample, but...) don't pre-enroll, just go when you can, and get it taken care of.

It took four weeks to process my TWIC application in Jacksonville.

I pre enrolled but chose just to walk in and see what happens since I was in Mobile. There were only 6 people (customers) in the Mobile TWIC office in the afternoon, and I was outta there in 20min. Very good service. Lady said 6-8 weeks to get the real deal. The pisser is that you have to go BACK to get the card. My passport will be mailed to me......Lets see, renewed my CG license last Aug and my MMD about a year before that. Got my secret security clearance in Sept of 07. Just applied two weeks ago to renew my passport. I'm about background checked out!! While their doing all these background checks on a legal law abiding citizen, how many illegal people are walking across our boarders?

I cant wait to try this card as a form of ID going thru a airport security check!!

BillD

Bill,

I know what you are saying as far as being background checked to death. I applied for a new passport a year ago, renewed my CG license in June and also applied and received my MMD. Of course that was another BG check. I retired in August and at the same time applied for a postion with NOAA and was hired. Of course this required another BG check in November.

This week I applied for my TWIC Card at the Port of Bourne, MA and even though pre-enrolled the woman had to enter the same data again, DOB, Place of Birth etc. I am just trying to avoiad the rush.

I have many questions regarding the needs and requirements of the card. For example, I use my license to operate a charter boat so I understand the requirement. I don't understand why a guy who takes someone fishing on a small boat on Lake Tahoe would need it, except he or she holds a CG license.

Another example is why would someone need it if they hold a license and the only boat they operate is a GOVT vessel, let's say an ACOE survey boat or a NOAA research vessel. I was told they need one but a harbormaster who is required to hold a license is not required??

I don't mind paying for it or obtaining it but, I am the one getting hit with questions from friends and others who ask me to show them in writing.

At least I can say the Commandant of the CG has one, so you must need one also.

v/r

Dave

Dave

Dave, your correct about the background checks. I work on a NAVY base and we are licensed and unlicensed mariners operating government vessels.Everyone at least has a MMD. Techincally we are not required to have a TWIC, but if someone gets sent to another part of the company they may need it, so the company decided to just pay for everyones. Plus under the regulations all licensed and unlicensed merchant mariners are required to have the TWIC by 25 Sept or your document is void....
I work with a few guys that run guide services on the side from as an OUPV. Whats really stupid is they are required to have one, cause their licensed mariners. They will be the only person on their boat with credentials. The TWIC hasn't made the United States any safer in that case. It probably made Lockeed Martin quite a bit richer. I would like to know how much LM charges the government for each card. I'll bet its more than 135 bucks.......... to me the TWIC is just another data base the government is collecting and were paying for thepleasure of being on it.
BillD

TWIC is a nifty document but it will not be worth the trouble and expense unless TSA and DHS spread the word to law enforcement organizations about what it is.

The Air Force Police force at AFS Cape Canaveral does not accept the TWIC even as a form of identification. They accepted my retired ID but not my TWIC.

Unless TWIC is accepted and recognized worldwide, it is vitually worthless.

quote:

Unless TWIC is accepted and recognized worldwide, it is vitually worthless.

A cohort of mine just got off a tug a week or so ago. Showed his brand new TWIC to go through the airport line, and it was REFUSED by the TSA screeners. He was told they (TSA) do not recognize that card, did he have a library card or something real.

If you look up boondoggle in the dictionary, the TWIC has got to be one of the illustrations.

On the other hand, went down to sign in today, the employees were agreeable and seemed to know what they were doing. Fairly painless. Mentioned a 6 - 8 week turn around.

The facility was a DUMP, but just what I'd kind of expect.

MastersMate:

Did the airport screeners accept his MMD? What did they accept as ID?

Ray, I'll ask him when I run into him again. I believe he said he just dragged out a drivers license.

I had to use the MMD once coming out of the Virgin Islands a few years back. Last I recall, they were a US possession. But going thru the airport the Customs guy wanted a passport.

All I was carrying was a drivers license, USCG ret card and my MMD. He rejected the drivers license and military ID card.

It took a bit of arguing but he reluctantly accepted the MMD because it stated citizenship on it. I was damned near going to have to haul my license out of the luggage and reference him to the CFR. That was a royal pain in the tookus.

Thank you.

I'm waiting to receive notification to return to pick-up my TWIC. I completed the enrollment on 2/29.

I will be flying out of Fort Lauderdale on 5/15, and that's the day that Real ID becomes a problem (lack of) for Maine residents. This state has refused to fund the Real ID. Maybe an extension will be granted.

With Military Retired ID, MMD, TWIC, drivers license, well, you get a little stressed by trying to prove that you are a law abiding U. S. citizen.

To make sure I have this straight, can one of you knowledgeable-on-the-topic folks confirm for me that EVERYONE with a Merchant Mariner's License MUST get a TWIC? Want to make sure I don't get caught short or having my license invalidated for lack of this silly card. I have a 100 ton N/C, but don't use it much (nowadays, anyhow) more than occasional short-run deliveries and teaching. It's going to be over a hundred dollar drop, plus the hassle of getting off the island and back to America twice to apply and then pick the thing up. At least I could do it in Bourne and not have to travel up to Boston, if needs be.

Thanks in advance!
-Mike

Mike,

Set down, deep breaths, you aint even going to get kissed in this deal, but going from what is in the new 46 CFR part 10 & 12. All documented and licensed mariners must have a TWIC by 25 Sept 2008. Failure can be grounds for revocation, suspension,flogging, keelhauling or who knows what else.

Although I was going to hold out to the end, the rumor mill has it that RECs are not doing renewals unless you have one, even though the CFR states the BY date as Sept.

For the 100 ton small vessel industry, it does indeed have quite a few bowels in an uproar.

Think, monkey and a football.

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:
Mike,

Set down, deep breaths, you aint even going to get kissed in this deal, but going from what is in the new 46 CFR part 10 & 12. All documented and licensed mariners must have a TWIC by 25 Sept 2008. Failure can be grounds for revocation, suspension,flogging, keelhauling or who knows what else.

Although I was going to hold out to the end, the rumor mill has it that RECs are not doing renewals unless you have one, even though the CFR states the BY date as Sept.

For the 100 ton small vessel industry, it does indeed have quite a few bowels in an uproar.

Think, monkey and a football.

There is a discussion amongst the policy makers to allow those who possess a license but aren't currently using to be able to keep it without a TWIC card.(This question was discussed recnetly at Sector Baltimore's Industry Day). If they choose to sail with it, they have to get a TWIC prior.