All Mariners:

Under current law, all holders of merchant mariner credentials will be required to apply for and be issued a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  A licensed mariner is required to have a TWIC by September 25, 2008, unless changes to the implementation schedule are made.  After that date, individuals may not operate under the authority of a mariner credential without a valid TWIC, and failure to obtain or hold a TWIC may serve as the basis for suspension or revocation of the mariner credential. In addition to the regulatory prohibition on the mariner against serving under the authority of the credential without a TWIC, an employer cannot employ an individual in a position requiring the authority of the mariner credential if the mariner doesn't have a TWIC.  

Information pertaining to the TWIC may be found on the Internet at

www.tsa.gov/twic  

Please disseminate this information as widely as possible. 

Thanks for your attention, and please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions.

Larry W. Griffin

United States Coast Guard

Semper Paratus

Chief, Regional Exam Center Houston