Sea Gull
Well-Known Member
I went and applied for my TWIC yesterday. They finally opened an office nearby and it could not have been easier. Just wondering what others' experience has been.
I pre-registered online and also made an appointment online. When I got there I was the only customer there and the whole process took less than 10 minutes. They say my card will be ready in a couple of weeks - which puts me right up against the deadline in this part of the country.
The only hitch was the questionnaire that I was asked to fill out. There are a bunch of yes/no questions about if you are a terrorist, have ever been in jail etc. One of the questions asked if I needed access to secured port areas. I said no. The nice lady who worked there asked me about it and I told her that as a 50 ton Master I am running smallish boats and never bring them into secure port areas.
She said "then why do want the card?"
I said, "I don't, but the US Government is requiring all licensed mariners to get it - so here I am."
She coached me to change my answer to YES if I wanted the TWIC card. I hate bureaucracy.
I pre-registered online and also made an appointment online. When I got there I was the only customer there and the whole process took less than 10 minutes. They say my card will be ready in a couple of weeks - which puts me right up against the deadline in this part of the country.
The only hitch was the questionnaire that I was asked to fill out. There are a bunch of yes/no questions about if you are a terrorist, have ever been in jail etc. One of the questions asked if I needed access to secured port areas. I said no. The nice lady who worked there asked me about it and I told her that as a 50 ton Master I am running smallish boats and never bring them into secure port areas.
She said "then why do want the card?"
I said, "I don't, but the US Government is requiring all licensed mariners to get it - so here I am."
She coached me to change my answer to YES if I wanted the TWIC card. I hate bureaucracy.