The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program made another unwanted headline last month as the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security strongly questioned the 66 percent failure rate of the machines being used to produce the new cards.Meanwhile, an SIU member from the northeast had an unsettling post-enrollment experience which, while likely to be satisfactorily resolved, points out some considerations for mariners as they secure their TWICs before the federally mandated deadline of April 15, 2009.
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the committee, wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff on June 10. Thompson noted, “It has come to my attention that eight of the 12 machines used to make TWIC cards have been returned to the manufacturers for repairs and system upgrades. Due to this machinery malfunction, the previous one-day time frame for card production has increased to a 10-day time period. It is my understanding that card production will not return to normal operational capacity for several weeks.
“At this juncture,” he continued, “it is difficult to determine which is more astonishing – the fact that the facility producing these cards is experiencing a 66 percent machine failure rate or the fact that this machine failure rate has resulted in a tenfold increase in the card production schedule. As you know, over one million men and women are required to obtain TWICs prior to the April 15, 2009 deadline. Needless to say, every production delay increased the likelihood that this deadline will not be met. It would be both unfortunate and unfair if the necessary activities of these employees and their respective employers are hampered due to avoidable delay in card production.”
Thompson went on to ask Chertoff several questions about the machines, the status of their repair, the contract to produce the cards, and related issues.
The aforementioned case of the SIU member unfolded as follows. The Seafarer enrolled for his TWIC and then caught a ship shortly thereafter. A port call allowed the member to briefly return home and pick up his mail – whereupon he discovered a letter from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requesting additional documentation to support his application, due within 60 days.
The TSA communication is called an Initial Determination of Security Threat Assessment (IDTA) letter. That letter explained the additional documentation that was required and also alerted the member that his options included filing an appeal on the initial determination itself; requesting an extension of the 60-day window identified by the agency; or seeking a waiver.
Since he was quickly returning to the ship, the member requested an extension. However, as asked by the Seafarer in a communication to SIU headquarters, what if he hadn’t returned home before the 60 days had expired? In that case, according to the IDTA letter, his application would have been rejected and “you will not be permitted to obtain a TWIC card.”
Fortunately, according to a DHS employee who handles TWIC appeals and waiver and extension requests, the final TWIC rule allows for applicants (under reasonable circumstances) to get an extension even after the 60 days have expired. The DHS representative told the Seafarers LOG that the agency is very willing to work cooperatively with mariners and is sympathetic to scenarios like the one described here.
It’s also worth noting that the workers at the enrollment centers (technically called “trusted agents”) are supposed to verify that each applicant has submitted all required paperwork before forwarding the applications for approval. So, in this case, the trusted agent should have notified the SIU member immediately that another piece of documentation was needed.
The union recommends that when Seafarers enroll for their TWICs, they should ask the trusted agents to examine the application and confirm that nothing is missing. Seafarers also should keep in mind that even if they receive IDTA letters after the 60-day window (because, for example, they were at sea for three months), that doesn’t preclude them from seeking an extension.
Seafarers should check with their port agents and/or utilize the TSA contact information that follows for the latest information on the TWIC program, including the “TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan,” which is a list of cities where TWIC enrollment centers are or will be located. Updates also periodically appear on the SIU web site, normally in the “Heard at Headquarters” section.
The TSA TWIC web site now includes a link where individuals may check the status of their card and/or schedule a time to pick it up.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
On the web: www.tsa.gov/twic
By phone: TWIC Program Help Desk, 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942)
By email: credentialing@dhs.gov
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
■ Pre-Enroll
This can save time at the enrollment center itself. To pre-enroll, individuals must first register for an ID starting at
https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/
Applicants will need to supply basic information including their name, date of birth and country of birth.
■ Gather Documentation
As part of the TWIC application process, individual applicants must supply documentation verifying their identity.
A list of acceptable documents was printed on page 4 of the January edition of the Seafarers LOG and is available on the TSA’s TWIC web site.
■ Enroll
Applicants may enroll at any of the agency’s enrollment centers, at which time they must pay the TWIC fee of $132.50 (or the reduced fee of $105.25, if applying for a TWIC that expires in conjunction with a merchant mariner document). Applicants will
provide fingerprints and be photographed as well as provide personal information.
■ Pick up TWIC
Applicants must return to the same enrollment center to pick up their credential. They will be notified by email or phone (as specified during enrollment) when the card is ready. The individual TWIC will be activated, and the card-holder will select a corresponding PIN number.
###
Printer Friendly Page