To ensure that a USCG-issued license and/or merchant mariners document remains valid after 4/15/2009, the holder needs to apply to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for a new ID card that is called a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). TWICs are issued by TSA. The USCG does not and will not issue TWICs.If a mariner does not have a TWIC by 4/15/2009, his/her USCG-issued credential(s) will be considered void on that date.
Also note that after 4/15/2009, the USCG will not accept an application from a mariner for any type of transaction (i.e., original license/MMD, renewal, upgrade, etc.) unless the mariner already holds a TWIC issued by the TSA.
The USCG has published information about TWICs in their Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) No. 3-2007 dated July 2, 2007. The 63-page NVIC No. 3-2007 is available at this USCG web site:
That is a rather long document and not too easy to read. However the basic information that you'll need on how to apply for a TWIC is in the easier-to-read 12-page Enclosure 2 to that NVIC. Grossetti License Consulting recommends reading that Enclosure 2 before attempting to read the NVIC itself.
By September 2008, TSA will have over 100 TWIC enrollment centers located all over the country. Information about their locations and opening dates are at this TSA web site:
www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm
Grossetti License Consulting is not offering professional assistance in the TWIC application process. If you cannot find the information you need at that TSA web site or in the USCG NVIC No. 3-2007, then call TSA's TWIC Program Help Desk at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942). The help desk is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. EST.