Boat operators without a TWIC card to be banned

Many boat drivers in the CNMI licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard will not be allowed to operate vessels by April 15 without a Transportation Worker Identification Credential card, which is only given to U.S. citizens and those with federal work visas.

The new federal requirement may force many commercial marine sports operators to let go of non-U.S. citizen boat drivers, including Japanese and Filipinos who only have CNMI work permits.

The TWIC rule was one of the key issues tackled at yesterday’s Marine Sports Forum organized by the Coastal Resources Management at the Palms Resort in San Roque.

The industry forum drew at least 106 participants, mostly marine tour operators, boat drivers, tour agents, and local and federal government agency representatives.

“Looks like Saipan will have to follow stricter policies like TWIC. I’m already a U.S. certified boat captain but I still need TWIC. I spent over $130 for it,” said Kumiko Deleon Guerrero, co-owner of J&K Marine Sports, which has been operating on Saipan for 22 years.

Non-U.S. citizen boat drivers like Claro Vidal, a Filipino contract worker, will have a hard time getting a TWIC. Because of the federal requirement, he will no longer drive a boat by April 15 and will have to go back to being a scuba diver.

“I’m not a U.S. citizen and I only have a CNMI work permit, not a federal work visa, so I cannot apply for TWIC,” he said, adding that other Filipino and Japanese boat drivers may lose their jobs.

A Japanese boat driver who requested anonymity said he will be applying for a federal work visa to secure a TWIC.

Michelle K. Duty, marine science technician 2nd class at the U.S. Coast Guard, said only boat drivers—and not the crew—will need a TWIC card by April 15 to comply with the Transportation Security Administration regulations.

A TWIC is a common identification credential for all mariners holding Coast-Guard issued credentials, and all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime TSA-regulated facilities and vessels.

Merchant mariners and individuals who need unescorted access to secure areas of ports, facilities, or vessels regulated by MTSA will need to obtain a TWIC.

“If they do not have a TWIC after April 15, they cannot use their license and drive underneath their U.S. Coast Guard marine license. If they get caught, their license will get taken away,” Duty told Saipan Tribune.

Duty was one of the resource speakers at the Marine Sports Forum.

In the CNMI, enrollment for TWIC has begun at the TSA office at the TSL Plaza in Garapan. Those who wish to apply for TWIC need to schedule an appointment with the TSA office at 1-866-347-8942 or pre-enroll online at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov.

During TWIC enrollment, applicants will be required to visit the TSA office in Garapan to provide biographic information, necessary identity verification documents, a complete set of fingerprints; sign a disclosure form; sit for a digital photograph; and pay the enrollment fee.

Bill Owens, owner of B Sea Sunsports, which has been in operation for 16 years, said his staff who are all U.S. citizens will secure a TWIC clearance.