Statement of
The Honorable James L. Oberstar
Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Hearing On
“Follow-up Hearing: Transportation Worker Identification Credential”
January 23, 2008
"I am also concerned about the mariners who own or operate six-pack vessels in rural areas of the U.S. and do not pose a risk to security, having to obtain a TWIC card simply because they are a Coast Guard credentialed mariner.
In many cases, such as fishing guides and charter boat captains, they are the only personnel on their vessel - so why should they have to have a TWIC card reader to gain access to their vessel?
I am also concerned that people that live in remote areas will have to drive hundreds of miles – twice – once to apply for a TWIC card and again to pick it up. F
or example, there are no TWIC enrollment centers in Montana, Idaho, or Wyoming. How are licensed mariners who work as river guides going to get a TWIC? Do they have to travel to Seattle?"
http://transportation.house.gov/hear....aspx?OSID=203
(TSA also underestimated the number of persons who will need a TWIC by 25%. But what's an additional 250,000 people needing new ID cards? Why am I not suprised?
)