Hey everyone, I was asked this question by Mr. R.

“I have an off topic question for you. I have been talking with the folks at a Sailing Association about the need for their sailing instructors to obtain TWIC cards. They e-mailed me a question that I thought I would see if you could help me answer. They want to know who is backing the bill which would remove low level license holders from need to have a TWIC.”

I searched under TWIC Legislation and came up with this press release (see below).  As far as I know, this is the last thing that has been written up about it.  I don’t know what states these two senators are from but if you go to the address below, you should find every Senator listed from every where AND, you can send them e-mails too.  I suggest that you also hit up the Congressmen and State Representatives as well.  Remember, if you want something changed, you must stand up and  speak out.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Touch Keys with you later,
N.
July 31, 2008

SENS. COLLINS, COLEMAN BILL WOULD EXEMPT FISHING GUIDES AND CHARTER CAPTAINS FROM THE TWIC PROGRAM. Introduces bill to exempt low-risk mariners from needing a Transportation Worker Identification Credential if they already have a Coast Guard license

Washington, DC - In an effort to protect fishing guides and charter captains against the financial impacts of excessive government regulations, Senators Norm Coleman and Susan Collins today introduced the Small Marine Business and Fishing Guide Relief Act. The legislation will exempt fishing guides, charter captains, and other small boat operators from needing an expensive Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) if they are not required to submit a vessel security plan to the Coast Guard. These mariners will still be required to have a Coast Guard license. A TWIC costs $132.50 for new applicants and is valid for five years. Additionally, the legislation calls for a report to examine the feasibility of verifying the small boat operators who have already purchased a TWIC and who will not need a card if this legislation is signed into law. Once the report is complete, refunds or credits towards license renewals could be issued by Congress or the TSA. Similar legislation has also passed in the House as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act.

“The tourism and fishing industries are crucial to Maine’s economy,” said Sen. Collins. “Many small businesses are already struggling during these lean economic times because of high fuel prices. In addition, higher energy prices have made it difficult for many tourists to afford charter tours of Maine’s coastal areas this summer, causing more hardship on the industry. I have heard from many individuals that they simply cannot afford an additional $132 identification card for each of their employees.”

“While the TWIC program is an important tool to ensure the safety of our nation’s ports, it places an unnecessary financial burden on Minnesota’s fishing guides and small boat operators,” said Coleman. “This an issue that was brought to my attention last summer when fishing guides from Rainy River and Lake of the Woods told me that it posed an additional burden on their ability to maintain their bottom line. These guides already go through a substantial background check and pay a minimum of $140 for their Coast Guard licenses. Given these factors, it doesn’t make sense to ask them to pay an additional fee - especially with the recent downturn in the economy and the rising cost of gas.”

Under current law, any individual with a Coast Guard-issued license or document will be required to also purchase a TWIC card by April 2009. The Department of Homeland Security indicated legislation would be needed to address this issue.

“While the TWIC program will play a critical role in our nation’s maritime security by limiting access to secure areas of ports and large vessels, requiring charter boat captains who do not need unescorted access to these areas to obtain a TWIC is a costly and unnecessary government regulation,” said Sen. Collins.

“We need to make sure our local fishing guides and other small marine operators are not being subjected to excessive government regulation and this legislation will provide that relief,” added Coleman. “Common sense tells us that a fishing dock on Lake of the Woods, for example, is vastly different from a major commercial port receiving cargo containers. And recognizing that some folks who already purchased a TWIC may not need it once this legislation passes, the bill also asks the Department of Homeland Security to look at the feasibility of locating these mariners so a refund or credit could be provided down the road.”

The TWIC program was established by Congress through the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and is administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard. TWICs are tamper-resistant biometric credentials for workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports, vessels, outer continental shelf facilities and all credentialed merchant mariners. It is anticipated that more than 750,000 workers including longshoremen, truckers, port employees and others will be required to obtain a TWIC. To obtain a TWIC, an individual must provide biographic and biometric information such as fingerprints, sit for a digital photograph, and successfully pass a security threat assessment conducted by TSA.

###

I have so much to give Thanks for this year, all of you, my family, my friends and oh so much more.

So let me take this opportunity to say,

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND ALL OF YOURS!

 Touch Keys with you later,

 N.

Good Day all;

There is a new press release from TSA that you may or not be interested in, please go to

http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/Copy_of_press_release_0046.shtm

Touch Keys with you Later.

N.

Homeland Security Advisory System

Current Threat Level

November 24, 2008 - The United States government’s national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow.

For all domestic and international flights, the U.S. threat level is High, or Orange. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Web site for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines.

There is no credible, specific intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to the homeland at this time. Still, we are closely assessing potential threats and response planning leading into and following the electoral process in 2008 to 2009. Heightened coordination and planning among intelligence community and law enforcement partners is being undertaken solely out of an abundance of caution, and focuses on preventive and preparedness measures for the transition period between administrations.

Recommended Activities

• All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.
• Everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency.

Learn More About Preparedness

• Visit www.ready.gov

About the Homeland Security Advisory System

The Homeland Security Advisory System is designed to guide our protective measures when specific information to a particular sector or geographic region is received.  It combines threat information with vulnerability assessments and provides communications to public safety officials and the public.

• Homeland Security Threat Advisories contain actionable information about an incident involving, or a threat targeting, critical national networks or infrastructures or key assets.  They could, for example, relay newly developed procedures that, when implemented, would significantly improve security or protection.  They could also suggest a change in readiness posture, protective actions, or response. This category includes products formerly named alerts, advisories, and sector notifications.  Advisories are targeted to Federal, state, and local governments, private sector organizations, and international partners.
• Homeland Security Information Bulletins communicate information of interest to the nation’s critical infrastructures that do not meet the timeliness, specificity, or significance thresholds of warning messages.  Such information may include statistical reports, periodic summaries, incident response or reporting guidelines, common vulnerabilities and patches, and configuration standards or tools.  It also may include preliminary requests for information.  Bulletins are targeted to Federal, state, and local governments, private sector organizations, and international partners.
• Color-coded Threat Level System is used to communicate with public safety officials and the public at-large through a threat-based, color-coded system so that protective measures can be implemented to reduce the likelihood or impact of an attack.  Raising the threat condition has economic, physical, and psychological effects on the nation; so, the Homeland Security Advisory System can  place specific geographic regions or industry sectors on a higher alert status than other regions or industries, based on specific threat information.

This system was established in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3.

VETERANS

I cannot express my feelings to all of you, but know that my heart is so full of love and Gratitude for each of you, for what you have done, for what your are doing, or for what you will do in the future.

Without you, I would not have the freedoms that I so enjoy.

Without you, I would not be able to express my feelings for you.

Without you and all of your sacrifices we would not have a great Nation.

I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART

Respectfully and Ever Humbly yours,

Norleen Schumer

MaritimeLicensing.com