Overview

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UPDATE - September 2008

The temporary TWIC enrollment and activation site at Caryn House is now closed. Anyone who enrolled at the Caryn House site and received notification that their credential is ready for pick up but did not pick it up at the Caryn House will now have to pick up and activate their credential at the Bourne Enrollment Center located in Carver. Please make an appointment at the Bourne Enrollment Center by going to https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/. You can also check your card status at this site.
The address for the Bourne Enrollment Center is:
300 Tremont Street, Unit 5 (Route 58)
Carver, MA, 02330.

All TWIC enrollments now need to be made through the Bourne Center. If you enrolled at another center other than Woods Hole, you will need to return to that center to pick up your TWIC once you have been notified it is ready.
Contact: Dave Derosier, ext. 2289 or Bill Sparks, ext. 3280

This site contains information for anyone who needs unescorted access to Iselin and the WHOI dock while port security measures are in place or anyone who goes out on research vessels anywhere in the U.S.

About TWIC

TWIC was established by an act of Congress in 2007. The TWIC rule sets forth regulatory requirements to implement enhanced security in the maritime transportation mode.

Administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard, TWICs are considered a vital security measure that will ensure individuals who pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system.

All ports must be in compliance with TWIC requirements by October 15, 2008.

What is a TWIC card?

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) cards 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. The "smart cards" contain a digital photo and a fingerprint linking the card and the card holder.

Who needs a TWIC card?

Anyone who needs unescorted access to Iselin and the WHOI dock while port security measures are in place needs a TWIC card. This includes employees, students, guests, vendors, suppliers, contractors, etc.

Anyone who goes out on research vessels anywhere in the U.S. will need a TWIC card.

When and how will TWIC be enforced?

During periods of port security, anyone needing access to Iselin and the WHOI dock will have two options:

Unescorted access -- present a TWIC card to WHOI security guards for unescorted access to the dock;
Escorted access -- a TWIC cardholder may escort up to five (5) individuals into secured areas. The escorted individuals must remain with the TWIC cardholder at all times.

The consequences of allowing unescorted individuals access to the secured areas include significant monetary fines up to and including closing the port.