I just received my TWIC card in order to renew my masters licence . I can compare the process to a root canal . Cost and all ! First trip took 1 hour of processing ,not to bad ,but I am not including the hour to get there and hour back . Second trip 1 hour in and 3 and 1/2 hours wait . Painful .The processing site was undermanned and had two processing stations . I was lucky I got my card ,many that day did not . Are other recreational captains having these problems ,what is the need ,and do most recreational license holders {masters ,six pack ,and launch operators even know they need this ?}.
Problems with TWIC cards
- Thread starter Capt. Ed
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Hey Ed,
The process for me was relatively painless, I went in and was processed in 45 minutes, most of the time was trying to get an accurate fingerprint reading.
When I went back, it took me another half an hour and then I was out.
I did all of this out of Atlantic Beach/Moorehead NC and most people were processed pretty quickly.
As for the reason for the TWIC, I really don't see the need for someone with an OUPV or a Masters license unless they are working at the ports.
The process for me was relatively painless, I went in and was processed in 45 minutes, most of the time was trying to get an accurate fingerprint reading.
When I went back, it took me another half an hour and then I was out.
I did all of this out of Atlantic Beach/Moorehead NC and most people were processed pretty quickly.
As for the reason for the TWIC, I really don't see the need for someone with an OUPV or a Masters license unless they are working at the ports.
I get a number of magazines for marine professionals and there is plenty of moaning about this boondoggle. If terrorists now want to use our port facilities for an attack, they will just get TWIC cards which will greatly facilitate their access. They won't have any real problem getting them.
Rodger you are correct .I do on occasion work in Boston ,so I may actually use it .But If the coast guard enforces the card on yacht clubs ,marinas and sixpack operators I for see problems .
I signed up on line, got my approntment, 15 minute intervals were available, showed up early, fingerprinting was a holdup and was out 5 minutes earily. Do your work on line, bring what they tell you, get an appointment.
Alan J
Alan J
Unfortunately, much of what DHS has done to "improve" security has done very little towards achieving that goal. Much of it has increased the bureaucracy, paperwork, costs, and inefficiency, but little of it contributes anything in the way of security.
I am sure my experience was somewhat unusual ,but the feeling I got from the people working there ,was that their assets have been stripped for other sites .Enough of that anyway. As sailingdog said for what purpose is this process being imposed on recreational licence holders?
It generates money and extends the government bureaucracy. 
That's about it AFAICT... since it certainly isn't doing much, if anything, towards actually increasing security.
It is kind of like the restriction preventing people from carrying on liquids and gels more than 3 oz. in size onto airplanes. If the TSA had a clue about actually stopping the terrorists, the restrictions on small containers might make sense... but there are so many exceptions and loopholes that all it really does is inconvenience travellers. In the most recent "RED TEAM" threat penetration tests I've seen the results for, 95% of the "bombs, guns and weapons" made it past security. Not all that reassuring IMHO about how well DHS and TSA are doing their jobs.
That's about it AFAICT... since it certainly isn't doing much, if anything, towards actually increasing security. It is kind of like the restriction preventing people from carrying on liquids and gels more than 3 oz. in size onto airplanes. If the TSA had a clue about actually stopping the terrorists, the restrictions on small containers might make sense... but there are so many exceptions and loopholes that all it really does is inconvenience travellers. In the most recent "RED TEAM" threat penetration tests I've seen the results for, 95% of the "bombs, guns and weapons" made it past security. Not all that reassuring IMHO about how well DHS and TSA are doing their jobs.
NEWS FLASH The head of Homeland security for the MA. area has been arrested today for hiring illegal immigrants for household personal use . I rest my case . WOW ,and in my home town !
Papers! Papers! I must Zee yo Papers! Just one more step to closer to fashism and 1 more place to have your idenity stolen. I wonder just how secure the TSA site actually is considering they have every meaningful piece of info there is to prove you are you. But it's comply or quit the job so I begurdgingly was a good little sheeple. Money and power, government in action.
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