TWIC at FLIBS

The Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) deadline is approaching (April 15th, 2009), and it’s time to get registered. If you’re attending this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, it should be easy.

The not-for-profit MIASF (Marine Industries Association of South Florida) is registering licensed captains for their TWIC cards at this year's show. The cost is $132.50 per person (same as the government price), and should only take a few minutes if you pre-register. You can do that here or by calling 1-866-347-TWIC (8942).

If you’ve got a license, you need to get a TWIC card. To make sure there is no confusion about what MIASF is offering, I’ve pasted their press release below.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (September 15, 2008) - During this year's 49th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) will host a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) Enrollment Center. The purpose of the Center is to facilitate registration of United States Coast Guard (USCG) licensed mariners and others who are required by recent changes in USCG regulations to have a TWIC and to also serve as a source of information and outreach for the program.

Marine Industries Association of South Florida, owners of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, recognized the important opportunity the world's largest boat show offers and is working in collaboration with the USCG to organize the enrollment center that will be located in the Marine Professionals, Inc. (MPI) headquarters in the South West corner of the Seabreeze building at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The EnrollmentCenter will open on Wednesday, October 29th through Sunday November 2nd from 10 am to 6 pm and on Monday November 3rd from 10 am to 4 pm.

TWIC is an identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Administration (MTSA)-regulated facilities and vessels, and all United States mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials. "All U.S. Licensed merchant mariners need to get a TWIC regardless if they access a port or a secure facility," says Steve Krivdo, Port Security Specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard. "Many licensed mariners don't realize they need to get the TWIC." The TWIC compliance date for mariners and facilities located within the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Zone of Miami, which encompasses the Northern Keys to Fort Pierce, is January 13, 2009.

The cost of the TWIC is $132.50 and is payable by Credit Card, Money Order or Certified Check. Pre-registration is encouraged as it will reduce the enrollment process to approximately 10 minutes when the applicant is prepared with approved identification.

Those mariners planning to utilize the FLIBS TWIC Enrollment Center are encouraged to visit
Transportation Worker Identification Credential or call 1-866-347-TWIC (8942) and take advantage of the pre-enrollment opportunity.

The MIASF is a not-for-profit marine trade organization created in 1961 to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in South Florida for the benefit and education of its members, the community and the environment. The Association has 850 members in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties and is the owner of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.