Coming to a port like yours:

TWIC Escort Training and Seafarer Access

by Jim Von Dreele, April, 2009

This summer the United States Coast Guard will be reviewing all maritime facility security plans in our ports. In preparation for these reviews, a number of terminals have engaged outside auditors to assess the completeness of their plans and whether they are in full compliance.

Why is this compliance review process important to port chaplains?

A number of terminals around the country have discovered that they do not have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Escort Training Plan in operation. Because of this deficiency, they no longer permit chaplains and ship visitors who have a TWIC to escort seafarers through their terminals until they get this training. In ports with many terminals the potential for training chaos is very likely. A number of us have been reaching out to our terminals to provide them with a generic training program which will meet the requirements of the security regulations. My experience in Philadelphia is that terminals are grateful that we have taken the initiative to meet these requirements. I would also suggest that you share this training program with your local Captain of the Port.

Sample Program

A sample escort training program can be seen by clicking the link below. You are free to use it and adapt it to your local setting as a way to certify that all those providing transportation for seafarer shore leave have been trained as TWIC Escorts.

Sample Escort Training Program (Microsoft Word format)

Sample Escort Training Program (PDF format)