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Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Compliance Deadline Draws Near
SAN DIEGO - The Coast Guard reminds the maritime community that on
December 30th individuals must have the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to gain access to port facilities in San Diego without an escort. This requirement applies to vessel crewmembers, longshoremen, stevedores, truck drivers, ship agents and anyone else who works on or conducts business on port facilities.
"The TWIC program is an important step in improving port security, and we will ensure that regulated maritime facilities are in compliance on December 30th", said Capt. Tom Farris, Coast Guard Captain of the Port for San Diego.The Coast Guard has been working with port facility operators to gauge the progress of TWIC enrollment leading up to the December 30th deadline. Port leaders estimated that as many as 6,000 workers in San Diego would need to obtain TWICs, but according to the Transportation Security Administration fewer than 5,000 people have applied. In addition, local analysis shows that only 55 percent of truck drivers and service providers have their cards.
Starting on December 22, the Unified Port of San Diego will begin a pre-enforcement phase for the TWIC program at the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal. Security guards will separate incoming traffic based on possession of the TWIC. The Coast Guard will observe this operation in order to estimate the numbers of individuals that still need to obtain the TWIC.
Starting on December 30th, individuals who do not possess a TWIC will not be allowed access to regulated marine facilities unless they can arrange an escort. While the regulations allow people without TWIC cards to be escorted onto facilities under certain conditions, individuals should not expect security personnel to be available to conduct escorts.
The Coast Guard will be responsible for enforcing TWIC rules, and will be assisted by facility owners, port police and other federal, state and local partners to achieve the security goals of the program. Beginning on December 30th, the Coast Guard will conduct routine inspections and random spot checks to ensure that all port facilities are in compliance with the TWIC requirements.
Violations of the TWIC regulations range from on site education and correction to civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation per day.
The address for the San Diego TWIC enrollment center is Suite 103, 1025 W. Laurel St., San Diego, CA 92101.
To minimize waiting time at the enrollment center applicants may pre-enroll online at https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/.
Pre-enrollment allows workers to provide biographic information and to schedule a time to complete the application process in person.
To view additional information regarding TWIC, visit the Coast Guard's Homeport Website at
http://homeport.uscg.mil/twic, or the Transportation Security Administration's web site at
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm.
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