[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 33, Volume 1] [Revised as of July 1, 2008] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 33CFR101.514] [Page 342] TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELANDSECURITY PART 101_MARITIME SECURITY: GENERAL--Table of Contents Subpart E_Other Provisions Sec. 101.514 TWIC Requirement. (a) All persons requiring unescorted access to secure areas ofvessels, facilities, and OCS facilities regulated by parts 104, 105 or106 of this subchapter must possess a TWIC before such access isgranted, except as otherwise noted in this section. A TWIC must beobtained via the procedures established by TSA in 49 CFR part 1572. (b) Federal officials are not required to obtain or possess aTWIC. Except in cases of emergencies or other exigent circumstances,in order to gain unescorted access to a secure area of a vessel,facility, or OCS facility regulated by parts 104, 105 or 106 of thissubchapter, a federal official must present his/her agency issued,HSPD 12 compliant credential. Until each agency issues its HSPD 12compliant cards, Federal officials may gain unescorted access by usingtheir agency's official credential. The COTP will advise facilitiesand vessels within his or her area of responsibility as agencies comeinto compliance with HSPD 12. (c) Law enforcement officials at the State or local level are notrequired to obtain or possess a TWIC to gain unescorted access tosecure areas. They may, however, voluntarily obtain a TWIC where theiroffices fall within or where they require frequent unescorted accessto a secure area of a vessel, facility or OCS facility. (d) Emergency responders at the State, or local level are notrequired to obtain or possess a TWIC to gain unescorted access tosecure areas during an emergency situation. They may, however,voluntarily obtain a TWIC where their offices fall within or wherethey desire frequent unescorted access to a secure area of a vessel,facility or OCS facility in non-emergency situations. (e) Before April 15, 2009, mariners do not need to obtain orpossess a TWIC but may be provided unescorted access to secure areasof vessels, facilities, and OCS facilities regulated by parts 104, 105or 106 of this subchapter if they are able to show one of thefollowing: (1) A valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD); (2) A valid Merchant Mariner License and a valid photoidentification; or (3) A valid Certificate of Registry and a valid photoidentification. [USCG-2006-24196, 72 FR 3578, Jan. 25, 2007, asamended at 73 FR 25565, May 7, 2008] [[Page 343]]