Navigating the Regulatory Seas

The IMO issued a circular forwarding guidelines on annual testing of the automatic identification system (AIS).

Follow this link to download the document.

MERCHANT MARINER’S AND THE TRANSPORTATION WORKERS IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL

As required by law, all credentialed U.S. merchant mariners must obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), prior to September 25, 2008 – this includes all persons holding a Coast Guard-issued License, Certificate of Registry, Merchant Mariner Document or Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers endorsement. The Coast Guard is currently engaged with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) working out the specific information, provided by applicants to TSA during TWIC enrollment, which would be needed to process an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). We are also attempting to determine the method by which the information we require will be shared with (or transferred to) us by TSA.

We expect to have coordinated these details prior to September 25, 2008, if not sooner. (more…)

TWICS-Card issuance, Round Two (round one here)

Deborah was notified on February 8th that her TWIC card had arrived at the Providence enrollment center. It was not until February 23rd (a Saturday when the enrollment office was closed) that I was notified that my card had arrived. (more…)

Continuing on the TWIC thread from the Feb. 19th post, TWIC Website Launched, The TWIC Deployment Team is pleased to announce the launch of the new TWIC Deployment Website:

twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov

This website was created to help stakeholders easily find information relating to TWIC Enrollment Center locations and hours of operation, access port-specific and generic communication materials that can be printed and distributed around the port community, and find answers to common FAQs relating to enrollment. It contains links to other important TWIC-related websites such as the TWIC Pre-Enrollment website, TSA’s TWIC Program website, and USCG’s Homeport website.

Included below are tips to help TWIC stakeholders navigate the website:

1. Do not type “www” before the website address. The full address is http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov ;

2. Under the Schedule tab, ports are listed alphabetically. If a port is open for pre-enrollment, stakeholders will be able to click on the port’s name and access port-specific materials as well as a map of the enrollment center location.

3. Twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov will continually be updated to reflect possible changes to enrollment center addresses and hours of operation. Please check in frequently for updates on the TWIC program and for your specific port location. www.tsa.gov/twic will continue to operate as an additional source of information for the TWIC program.

Information provided by the TWIC Deployment Team

From Holland and Knight

Senator Stevens (R-AK) introduced the Vessel Discharge Evaluation and Review Act (S. 2645) to require the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to conduct an evaluation and review of certain vessel discharges.

This bill, if enacted, would continue the exceptions currently allowed for discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels until the evaluation is completed. Once the evaluation is completed and vetted, the bill would direct the Coast Guard to establish uniform national discharge standards for most commercial vessels operating in US waters. (2/14/08).

Click here to see the document.