For the Northern Chesapeake Bay and the Port of Baltimore, the Captain of the Port, Capt. Brian Kelley, will release a specific enforcement/ compliance date 90 days prior to requiring the use of TWIC at port terminals.

All port interest should expect this announcement to be made through the Federal Register between September and October 2008. Capt. Kelley advises all port personnel to enroll immediately.

"At many port terminals, everyone arriving to pick up or drop off cargo will be required to have a TWIC card because of the open configuration of those terminals.  The Coast Guard is particularly concerned that over the road truckers and others who normally do not have security responsibilities understand this possibility and prepare by contacting the terminals they visit.  Terminal Security Officers will readily advise who will need a TWIC card, and the time to find out is now," said Cmdr. Brian Penoyer of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.

U.S. Merchant Mariners, owners and operators of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated vessels (possessing any sort of U.S. Coast Guard credential) must obtain a TWIC no later than April 15, 2009 by law.

Workers can pre-enroll for their TWIC online at www.tsa.gov/twic.  Pre-enrolling speeds up the process by allowing workers to provide biographic information and to schedule a time to complete the application process in person.  The pre-enrollment process reduces the time it takes to complete enrollment in the TWIC program and eliminates waiting at enrollment centers.

"We need people to enroll now so this important port security initiative can be implemented and disruptions to maritime operations can be avoided as TWIC compliance begins across the country," said Capt. Mark. P. O'Malley, Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Port and Facility Activities. 

TWIC was established in the Maritime Transportation Security Act 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 is progressing steadily and has opened more than 130 fixed enrollment centers and dozens of mobile sites nationwide.

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