Untied Stats of Amercia
This morning, as I was doing my daily rounds of internet job sites, I stumbled on an ad for secure I.D. holders. These holders block the broadcasting of the information stored on RFID chips embedded in “Smart Cards”. The TWIC card is one of those.
While I’m not usually the paranoid type, the fact that three years ago someone was able to charge about $8000 worth of electronics, in three different continents in two minutes, on my American Express Card has
made me a little sensitive to the whole identity theft thing. After reading that ad, I wondered,“What kind of information am I broadcasting?”
My Smart ID inventory consists of a passport,TWIC card, and credit card. Some states use these RFIDs in their driver’s licenses and many companies have them in facility access cards. While there probably isn’t enough info there to wipe one out financially, there is enough for someone to make a fake ID to gain access to a “secure” facility or country…in your name.
I’m not endorsing or selling anything, I just thought that with all the IDs and credentials mariners have to carry it might be good to think a little about privacy.
BTW, I have yet to use my TWIC so any entry-level OS/Deckhand job leads
are appreciated. I need to justify that expense and waste of time.:rolleyes:
- Shoot31
Just an update from another publication recently out -
<table celpadding="0" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="590"><tbody><tr><td align="left">[B]Mariners must have a TWIC by April 15; procedures for obtaining a new TWIC PIN [/B] </td> </tr> <tr><td>[IMG]http://www.amo-union.net/graphics/pixel.gif[/IMG]</td></tr> <tr> <td class="text" valign="top"> The U.S. Coast has issued the following bulletin: "Important information for mariners about the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the April 15, 2009, deadline." The complete bulletin is available on the Coast Guard [Web site](http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/announcements/TWIC_Information_Bulletin_%2013Feb.pdf)
Among other things, the Coast Guard bulletin states that all merchant mariners holding a mariner credential issued by the U.S. Coast Guard must hold a valid TWIC by April 15, 2009.
The bulletin also addresses the pending proposal to consolidate the U.S. Coast Guard license, merchant mariner document and STCW endorsement into one passport-style document, the “merchant mariner credential.”
The bulletin states the proposed regulation would require the Coast Guard to use data from the Transportation Security Administration to determine whether or not a mariner holds a valid TWIC. If the proposed regulation goes into effect, mariners will need to be identified as “merchant mariners” in the TWIC system.
The bulletin states: “To avoid delays in processing your future Merchant Mariner Credential Applications (whether originals, upgrades, renewals or endorsements) it is critical that you identify yourself as a merchant mariner by selecting ‘Merchant Mariner’ as your occupation when you apply for a TWIC.”
Further, the bulletin states: “the Coast Guard is working with the TSA to automatically change your occupation field” and “TSA is establishing a help desk” for mariners who could not automatically be identified as merchant mariners in the TWIC system to assist mariners applying for a Coast Guard document or credential.
The bulletin also states: “Mariners will need to ensure that the biographical information that they supply to TSA during the TWIC application process is the same information included on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Application.”
Separately, during a recent TWIC stakeholder meeting, procedures for obtaining a new personal identification number (PIN) for the TWIC were presented. Some TWIC access control systems may require use of the PIN to authenticate a TWIC card in certain cases.
[ul]
[li]If the TWIC was activated PRIOR to Oct. 21, 2008, call the help desk to open a ticket for a replacement card.[/li]> [li]If the card was activated AFTER Oct. 21, 2008, go to the TWIC enrollment center where the card was obtained.[/li]> [li]If the card holder is NOT SURE, go to the TWIC enrollment center.[/li]> [/ul]
It was reported at the meeting that a new policy has been implemented to allow TWIC cards to be transferred between the original enrollment center and another one closer to the applicant. The procedure for transferring requires applicants to call the TWIC help desk to begin the process, which will take three to four weeks to complete. There will be a fee increase in the future to cover the cost, but it has not yet been implemented.
The TWIC help desk can be reached at (866) 347-8942 or through an online form.
</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td></tr></tbody></table>
http://www.federaltimes.com/federal-times-blog/2009/02/27/mule-skinner-blues/
We actually have a license for these guys, “Master of Non-Self Propelled Mule Driven Passenger Barges” They need a license as they operate a passenger vessel on a navigable waterway. There are about 10-15 of them out there.
I went to reset my TWIC card and it could not be done, so I have to drive another 280 miles round trip for pick up. I know a lot of folks are further away than I am, but I am sending Homeland Security a certified letter with a bill for mileage and my hrly rate since I am a sole proprietor. I will state that the first issue was on my dime and thus due to their errors I shall be compensated.
I was told I had the wrong PIN, but the funny thing is I use the same PIN for everything I do.
We all know that it most likely will not work, but what the heck. I have spent
$300 plus in fuel back and forth for the worthless TWIC.
False since of security and a waste of every tax payers hard earned money!
“I have spent
$300 plus in fuel back and forth for the worthless TWIC”
Mine was in excess of $1000- 2 round trip tickets from Colorado Springs to Houston- plus motel etc…
Ouch! Do you have to go again? When I was driving from AK to Houston in Dec i decided to stop by a REC while in Idaho and realized the next closest in the direction I was heading was Houston. Ouch again for all the landlocked seaman.
This afternoon I went to the TWIC office in San Francisco and asked them to see if my card was alright. They put it in their reader, I entered my PIN and everything was ok. They told me that the outage had only affected a very few number of cards.
[QUOTE=jdcavo;9386]“Master of Non-Self Propelled Mule Driven Passenger Barges”[/QUOTE]
Mr Cavo, I find this absolutely fascinating. What are the requirements for this particular license? What career path does one follow to be eligible for it? I’m assuming that the C&O Canal folks have to have it as well… http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/georgetownvisitorcenter.htm
Anywhere else?
HN- nope! I’m DONE- finally! I am flying to houston in a few hours- but to apply for a job…
“Master of Non-Self Propelled Mule Driven Passenger Barges” Sounds like something my old bosun would call himself- after yelling at the OS’s:D
Never knew there was such a thing:)
I don’t know for sure, one of the things that hasn’t fully moved to the centralized NMC is local licenses. Under the CFR an OCMI has the authority to reduce sea time and exam requirements with an appropriate restriction. It was intended to be used for unique situations like this, but it’s been used more broadly at times. Readers here haver probably seen more than a feww of these.
With the mules, I suspect the training program the park uses counts as the “sea time.” The NMC’s exam system does have a mule license exam module in it, but I don’t think it’s been used for a while, if the RECs have been giving an exam it was prepareed locally.
I think there are a few sites that use the license. I only knnow what the wording on the licenses is, but it appears that the license restrictions are for a couple of sites.