TWIC cards

In Memory Walter K · Post by **In Memory Walter K** » Mar 5th, '08, 12:31

In filling out my paperwork for my 8th license renewal, I called the Coast Guard in NYC. I asked about the need for a TWIC card (Transportation Workers Identity Card). As of September of 2008, yes you'd better have one BUT they don;t know much about them. They gave me a phone number and website. The number is 1-866-347-8942. I called and held for 20 minutes. Punched in the website...wasn't allowed in. Googled TWIC and saw the site with the same site name as I had punched in, clicked it and got the site. Very scary pre-application questions which sets you up for a Federal check before you can ever get a card. Sounds like a 2-visit deal as you dont get a card until you've been checked. Questions like what was your first car, what was the first school you ever went to. Just the process of picking a password for your file is a page long. SCARY!
Even the Coast Guard doesn't know who does and doesn't need one. No where could I find out what the fee is. Nothing on it's longevity and/or renewal. To top it off, the office where I MUST go is 120 miles away and I must make an appointment.
The same goes for my license renewal except avoid lunch hour and Fridays. Must appear in person, must be fingerprinted by them, even though I've been FBI fingerprinted and checked before. When this is over, it's my last renewal. What a beaurocratic load of crap. Wonder if the guys who rammed the USS Cole had the proper paperwork to be in the area. Walter

Capt. DQ · Post by **Capt. DQ** » Mar 5th, '08, 12:42

Walter & Mike,

I went over to the local Captain's School here and was told they would show me how to get my TWIC card for about $75 after I go to New Orleans to get my Captain's License renewed next week. I had a stent put in after my heart attack in 06 and you talk about the bullshit medical forms and my Doctor's SA he had to fill out for me just to be ready to go over and renew. I can honestly tell you this is my last time for this rat race.

DQ

In Memory Walter K · Post by **In Memory Walter K** » Mar 5th, '08, 13:24

It is beginning to make sense to do things "under the radar" now. Thirty five years of doing it by the book, turns out to be a punishment rather than a reward. I can't even get a definition of what a "Transportation Worker" is. Are our School Bus Drivers transportation workers? If so, better get busses out to Long island (and everywhere else) to drive them to their TWIC centers with all their documentation... The questionnaire has a job definition for crew /deckhand. Do mates have to get a card? All delivery men? Subway workers? Private pilots? Who is responsible for their fees and where do the fees go? Layers and layers of beaurocracy, so you don't even know who to complain to. Now I know why Adolph Hitler got elected. The German people were so frustrated they thought their government couldn't possibly get worse. You'd think we'd learn from history. Ugh!

JP Dalik · Post by **JP Dalik** » Mar 5th, '08, 18:20

Walter you must be pissed because I just read a reference to Hitler as an answer to our government.
Hope I'm wrong.

randall · Post by **randall** » Mar 5th, '08, 18:56

you're wrong...not what he meant.
more like if people get frustrated and hopeless enough they will accept anything that looks like relief. not a good solution .

sorry to speak for you walter but if im wrong ill be surprised.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mar 5th, '08, 18:58

Capt DQ... Don't pay anything to anybody to be shown how to apply for a TWIC card! It is simple.. but in my mind useless for us.

I am in the process of applying for my Captain's License. I read somewhere I needed to have the TWIC (Transportation Worker's Identity Credential) card, and it would be best if I had it when I submitted my papers to the CG, although technically it is not necessary until September, I believe.

I wen't online and found there is a TWIC office about 10 miles from my house. Called to make an appointment and the girl says.. come in anytime, we aren't that busy, so the next day I went in.. just a rented office in a small complex. I filled out a simple application form, paid them $132.00.. yep $132.00 (to Lockheed Martin), and they took my picture and fingerprints with a digital thing, and said they would be contacting me in several weeks to let me know when to come back to receive my card. She did say there was some kind of background check that would be done. When I was there the only other applicants were a couple of Mexicans who could barely speak English who apparently worked at the local container port. The girl who processed me asked me what I did at the port.. I told her I was getting my card so I could get my Captain's License. She seemed surprised. All she asked after that was did I ever get seasick?

That was three weeks ago, and I haven't heard back from them. As I understand things, that card has some biometric identity stuff contained in it, so if you have to enter secure areas of a port facility, for instance, you can positively identify yourself into a card reader. We do have a very active military shipping depot about 15 miles from here, and I have been told that if you wander into the waters that are shown on charts as restricted the Army guys come out to greet you with machine guns. Maybe the card would keep me from getting machine gunned?

AndreF · Post by **AndreF** » Mar 5th, '08, 20:34

Is this the Political Forum?
Speaking of Hitler I just came across this. Which is the reason for many of our problems today. I resent having to do some of the things I have to do because of radical Muslims.
I quote (someone ?):

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

People who think that the American enthusiasm for immigrants is unconditional need to read these words again. The tired, poor and huddled masses we seek are specifically those who yearn to breathe free. The welcome mat seemingly does not apply to those who seek to turn the U.S. into a place in which Islam is the official religion, or a place where everyone is compelled to become Muslim or accept Shari'ah law under penalties of death. Aliens committed to this goal might not qualify for the blessings promised by Lady Liberty. After all, we ask applicants for visas and citizenship whether they are Nazis or ever advocated the persecution of people based on their race, religion or national origin.

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 5th, '08, 20:41

Doug and Walter - I just renewed in September, and I won't be doing it again. Probably should get a refund, because I doubt I'll use all 5 years on the license. When they started issuing six pack license certificates that said "Merchant Mariner" our doom was sealed. To avoid the expense of handling us differently, we'll be treated the same as guys working on super tankers. Eventually, the Coast Guard credentials will be phased out - TWIC is planned to replace them. Like Walter said, better to be under the radar. I started hunting again this year, and I'm pretty much buying only older guns from individuals, partly because I like them better, mostly because nobody in the gov'ment knows I have them.

In Memory Walter K · Post by **In Memory Walter K** » Mar 5th, '08, 22:45

JP- Randall eloquently explained the intent of my comment. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Capt. DQ · Post by **Capt. DQ** » Mar 5th, '08, 23:14

IRGUY,
I wasn't going to pay them for any services, they where going to show me how to get my TWIC card for only $75 period, nothing extra. Will post on how too just as soon as I find out on how too.

I hear YA! Andre.

Capt. Mike,
I also was going to renew my Z-Card, which is almost the same thing as a TWIC card. Which is a fingerprinted Federal ID. Go figure?

R,
DQ

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 6th, '08, 07:31

ID's for running fishing trips are gonna be like computer passwords. I have so many damn passwords to use I don't even try to keep up with them anymore.

In Memory Walter K · Post by **In Memory Walter K** » Mar 6th, '08, 14:30

Just spoke to Brad Glass of the National Party Boat Owners Association on this TWIC issue. They have been fighting to have the recreational fishing boats exempted from the legislation, but truth be told, it's probably going to be upheld. There are other issues tied in with this that they may be able to beat (ie: having to buy/have a scanner on board that reads cards) which makes no sense at all. If this is a security issue, what do you do if your passengers put a gun to your head and tell you to head for that ship? Maybe you'll have to only take passengers who have a card that you can scan with your new very own scanner. Since the Arabs have been using Donzi's as patrol boats, maybe Donzi owners should also get on the list for cards too. I'm all for national security and understand security zones. Mark 'em and patrol 'em, but this is a boondoggle to collect big bucks. Walter

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Mar 6th, '08, 14:36

Good business for the scanner manufacturers though!!

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 6th, '08, 17:30

The National Association of Charterboat Operators has been fighting it, also. They claimed the victory for at least delaying the scanners, because they would probably rust up in no time in a small boat marine environment. Of course, the gov'ment isn't going to pay for them, so what do they care. We would just have to replalce a bad one, or get written up if boarded.

I'm in favor of security, also, but this just doesn't make any sense.

bob lico · Post by **bob lico** » Mar 6th, '08, 17:41

must be fingerprinted by them, even though I've been FBI fingerprinted and checked before. When this is over, it's my last renewal. What a beaurocratic load of crap. Wonder if the guys who rammed the USS Cole had the proper paperwork to be in the area
walterk i am going thru the same crap.i assume you are talking about battery park cc.i look him straight in the eye and said what if my father and mother were both born in n.j. my father landed on omaha beach and was a wounded vet with bronze star /silver star as for me i have a federal secret clearance/seato/crypto/as i recall that quite abit more than that guy who`s running for president.both his mother and father are muslin
forigners and without one day in the cub scouts will be in charge of the stongest military force in the world.---------a long time before i see my captain ticket.

Capt.Frank · Post by **Capt.Frank** » Mar 7th, '08, 13:46

Are these the same as the MMD card Mercant Marine document card?
When I recerted last fall I got one but I didn't think is was more then $45 or less when I was recerting.

That was in Charleston SC. and they said this was the last year of the REC centers. They were all going to be done out of WVa. by mail I guess.
The people down there were always very help full.

clay · Post by **clay** » Mar 7th, '08, 13:56

Well here is my two cents on the TWIC issue.

I applied on line for an appointment to get a TWIC card this in itself takes a while (make sure you do this as there were at least 30 people sitting waiting there turn when I arrived at the Port of Corpus Christi issuance center, at 9:15 my scheduled appointment time they called my name so there was no waiting).

The cost is $132.00 (no personal checks or cash but Visa/Master Card or company checks are allowed) the cost is for background check by FBI. Bring your Masters License and the cost is only $75.00 as there is no background check but you will still have to be photoed and fingerprinted as both of these are encrypted in the card. There is a form you have to fill out and sign that basically says you agree to surrender your card if you are ever found to be insane (close call for me) or you decide to participate in terrorist acts against the USA. It takes Six to Eight weeks to get the card then 20 minuets to activate it because all of the info is transferred into the computer systems at all US Ports and God only knows where else, you can not leave until the download is complete (I think it's a system designed by Boeing sort of like the Virtual Fence-you cant see it but you are behind it for sure).

From a Marine stand point - The TWIC card gives you un-supervised access to some secured areas of commercial ports within the USA. The Reason for having Merchant Mariners get them is so that when you dock your tug at a port, disembark and go get a steak and a beer without calling security and having them escort you out to the road and then calling them to escort you back to your tug. Or if you are a contractor working at the port you can get to your jobsite without spending time waiting for security. If you operate your charter boat from a secured area of a commercial port you may want to get a TWIC card.

I am adding this last part just because I don't want to be the odd man out when it comes to how I feel about more laws to govern us with:

I know for a fact that in the near future all of us will be subject to implantation of micro chips just below the left ear; this will allow tracking, identification, and transmittal of directives from our leaders,it will also allow for you to be beamed up without having to say to your TWIC card "Beam me up Scotty" think how much it will free you up from having to remember to carry your TWIC card/Passport/Drivers L./Green Card/Birth Certificate/Masters L./Social Security Card/Visa Card/One Pass Card/Hotel Rewards Card/AARP Card/Insurance Card/Voter Registration/Hunting L. and a whole host of printed documents. I was at the Department of Homeland Security the other day and they were demonstrating the new scanning machines, all you do is bend over and stick your head in a black box that has clamps that hold your head still then you wait for it to release you or if you are one of the bad guys the guillotine falls either way you are free.

[img][img]http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p33/ ... hPaint.jpg[/img][/img][/url]

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Mar 7th, '08, 16:10

Rflmao!!

Capt. DQ · Post by **Capt. DQ** » Mar 7th, '08, 19:30

Clay

all you do is bend over and stick your head in a black box that has clamps that hold your head still then you wait

Now that's funny Clay, all I want to know is who's gonna go first? I'm out.

R,
DQ

Harry Babb · Post by **Harry Babb** » Mar 7th, '08, 20:15

I'm not comfortable with the "Bending over" part in fron of any government official much less putting my head in a clamp......Ha Ha

Clay........You should try stand up commedy........that was good

Harry

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Mar 7th, '08, 21:34

uhhhhh.... While some of you are seeing an entertaining side to Clay's comment about biochip technology, you might want to do a Google search on the subject. May turn your chuckles into groans...

Google Search - biochip security homeland security

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 7th, '08, 22:13

As I read it, the card is also needed for access to secure areas of VESSELS, which is why we are being forced to get them. Instead of an enclosed bridge area that can be locked and secured as on a supertanker, however, the average charter boat may not even have an enclosed helm - anyone on board can access the helm/control area. This is where someone in government should have had a light bulb come on over their little pointy heads and realized this wasn't the same thing.

Capt. Randle operates out of Port Mansfield. There is nothing secure, nothing governmental, nothing even industrial about what passes for a port there - just fishing, almost exclusivelt recreational fishing.

In Memory of Vicroy · Post by **In Memory of Vicroy** » Mar 7th, '08, 23:44

Will Bruce's tin foil hat defeat the chips?

Oh yeah, Algore, we need you in Baton Rouge..it's snowing.

UV

randall · Post by **randall** » Mar 8th, '08, 08:00

thank goodness i live in the warm north.......its about 55 here and if it was snow it woulda been about 2-3 feet.(flood watch in effect). now wind...you want wind...we got it...this has been a warm but extremely windy winter...

sorry to get off track but we been on the wrong end of a lot of winter gloating

Capt. DQ · Post by **Capt. DQ** » Mar 8th, '08, 08:37

Capt. Pat,

I hear ya, and have read about this years ago, the beginning of the end of our personal freedoms. Just like cattle being led to the cages to get branded. But could't help it on poking a little fun about it.

R,
DQ

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Mar 8th, '08, 09:53

...the beginning of the end of our personal freedoms.

Of somebody's personal freedom, but not mine... They'll have to inject me with a few bullets before they can get close enough to even break out the syringe.

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 8th, '08, 10:14

Pat, I'm thinking of "joining" you. Might sell the boat, the waterfront property, the house near the coast - move up in the hills somewhere away from hurricanes and TWIC cards, raise hog dogs and shoot stuff.

In Memory Walter K · Post by **In Memory Walter K** » Mar 8th, '08, 10:38

Both my Black lab and my cat have a biochip in their necks. In 10-20 years they'll be implanted on kids at birth. If there's a stockmarket left in a few weeks, between TWIC and biochips, consider buying scanner stocks. Walter

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Mar 8th, '08, 11:05

move up in the hills somewhere away from hurricanes and TWIC cards, raise hog dogs and shoot stuff.

C'mon up Mike! My first 18 months here took some real adjustments in attitude, but it's all starting to feel quite comfortable now after two years... The developers are pushing in hard from the east, but their still only about 20 miles west of Austin & should be at least 20 years before they get close to Llano.

Most of the acreage around me is private cattle ranches & those boys ain't selling. There's a few sections, (2-5 acres), in my immediate area that are on the market. About $4k/acre unimproved up to $24k/acre w/ a house & well. Plenty of hogs & other stuff to shoot at...

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 8th, '08, 11:44

About to start lookign around seriously, have been sorta looking for awhile now. Thinking of broadening my writing to the shooting sports, figure I can do that longer than I can bounce around offshore in boats.

randall · Post by **randall** » Mar 8th, '08, 12:45

4k as in four thousand? 24 with a house?

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mar 8th, '08, 13:41

Let me throw some gasoline on the fire...

Watch this!

Not sure whether we need some of Bruce's tinfoil hats, or our own stash of weapons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PpMdTmVMpo&NR=1

randall · Post by **randall** » Mar 8th, '08, 14:12

that was fun.....when that happens you can reach me sailing around some tropical ocean ...oh right, you wont be able to reach me the only thing i chipped was a tooth

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Mar 8th, '08, 14:33

4k as in four thousand? 24 with a house?

Randy, that's $4,000 per unimproved arce & $24,000 per arcre if it has a house & well. The average house out here is a trailer house & could be as old as 15 - 20 years. The property next door just sold for $85,000. 5 acres, 1974 single wide, added on to several times, (about 1,200 sq ft), 16 gpm clear water well, couple of work sheads, & a small storm cellar. So that's $17,000 per improved acre. House behind me sold 3 months ago for $200,000. Full blown real 2 story house, about 5 years old, 12 gpm clear water well, 5 acres - That's $40,000 per improved acre.

randall · Post by **randall** » Mar 8th, '08, 16:40

holey moley......its a little more expensive here.....i did however manage to buy this 130 year old ex tool shed with which you are very familiar for 38K.........story in todays paper about the housing slump....median house price for town of east hampton dips below a million for first time in a few years..............of course its skewed by the top end well into 8 figures...

Capt. Mike Holmes · Post by **Capt. Mike Holmes** » Mar 9th, '08, 07:16

Down here in Brazoria County, TX, unimproved land that is mostly jungle and maybe a little swampy goes for $3,500 to $4,500. Higher and a little cleared might go to $6,500. I saw a 20 acre tract with a small trailer, an old frame house, new well, etc. - all big oak trees but cleared out underneath with a new fence, about a half mile from the San Bernard River - asking $140,000.

randall · Post by **randall** » Mar 9th, '08, 08:12

no empty land south of montauk highway (ocean side) south of a mil..there are half acres starting to show up now in the least desirable neighborhoods (like where i live) for 400K......its science fiction....bought a small commercial lot in 81 for 6K...not as an investment but to expand my property.........luck counts

bertram31.com

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