Marine Security Advisory: 03/2009 - Requirements For Personnel Identification, Access And Escorts In US Ports

SUBJECT: Requirements for Personnel Identification, Access and Escorts in US Ports

To Ship Owners/Operators and Masters:

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) guidelines state that a person must possess a TWIC to gain unescorted access to a secure or restricted area in a US facility. Foreign seafarers visiting the USA are not eligible to receive a TWIC and therefore must be escorted through secure and restricted areas. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued policy that allows Master’s and crews limited access to the shore side area immediately adjacent to their vessels to conduct operations in support of the vessel, such as, attach shore ties, perform maintenance, read load lines, load stores, etc., without an escort.

Each US port facility has different regulations in respect to secure areas, restricted areas and escorts. The vessels agent should be contacted prior to arrival to obtain the individual port facility directives and procedures regarding access for crews.

Personnel Identification While being escorted, the mariner must carry personal identification. This identification must, at a minimum, comply with the following requirements of Title 33 US Code of Federal Regulations 101.515:

1. Be laminated or otherwise secure against tampering;
2. Contain the individual’s full name (full first and last names, middle initials acceptable); (3) Contain a photo that accurately depicts that individual’s current facial appearance; and (4) Bear the name of the issuing authority.

(a) A government authority, or an organization authorized to act of behalf of a government authority; or (b) The individual’s employer, union, or trade association.

The USCG considers the following documents as meeting the requirements of ‘Personal Identification’: Passport, Seaman’s Book, STCW Certificate, Drivers License, Seafarers Identity Documents issued in accordance with ILO147.

Each individual US facility is responsible to identify and enforce the TWIC requirements and thus designate secure and restricted areas and the areas that require a TWIC holder or escort to access. Operators of facilities are expected to be consistent with the restrictions and the permission for unescorted access to the limited area adjacent to the vessel. Inconsistencies should be reported to this Administration for follow up with the USCG.

For clarity the following are general definitions of some of the terms used within the guidelines:

Escorting - Ensuring that the escorted individual is continuously accompanied, while within a secure area, in a manner sufficient to observe whether the escorted individual is engaged in activities other than those for which escorted access was granted. This may be accomplished by having a side-by-side companion or monitoring, depending

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA 8619 Westwood Ctr. Dr.

Bureau of Maritime Affairs Vienna VA. USA 22182 _{Telephone: +1 703 790 3434}

Fax: +1 703 790 5655

Office of Email: Security@liscr.com

Deputy Commissioner Of Maritime Affairs

upon where the escorted individual will be granted access. Individuals without TWICs may not enter restricted areas without having an individual who holds a TWIC as a side-by-side companion.

Secure Area - The designated area on board a US vessel or at a US facility or outer continental shelf facility over which the owner/operator has implemented security measures for access control in accordance with a Coast Guard approved security plan. It does not include passenger access areas, employee access areas, or public access areas.

Restricted Area - The infrastructures or locations identified in an area, US vessel, or facility security assessment or by the operator that require limited access and a higher degree of security protection. The entire facility may be designated as the restricted area, as long as the entire facility is provided the appropriate level of security.

For more information please contact the Security Department at telephone + 1 703 251 2435 email security@liscr.com; LISCR Duty Officer + 1 703 963 6216 email: dutyofficer@liscr.com.