Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential Renewal snag

[Capt.Nick]

I've had my Maryland Fishing Guide and Coast Guard license since 1990 . I am in the process of renewing it .I've completed the Coast Guard physical , Drug test, Criminal Record and Sea time . I was going to schedule an appointment to renew my Transportation Workers Identification Credential TWIC card . I called the TWIC center on Broening Hwy. No answer, dead number. I think they are closed? Anyway, on the renewal application, it states I can check the exempt box for my credential and bypass this procedure . It also states that by checking the box, could "Significantly' delay the processing of my Merchant Mariner Credential Renewal Application . Have any of you Captains checked this exempt box and if so, what was your time delay for getting your credential? TIA

[ontheflats]

Make appointment online.
go to tsa.gov,
then go to contact,
then go to TWIC,
then go to schedule an appointment.

[Capt.Nick]

Thanks

[Capt. John Deering]

i just put my license in continuity ....i always checked the box exempt.......i don't fish in a secure area like Baltimore harbor

also, i suggest calling the uscg mariner center in west virginia. they are very good........but are now staffed with contractors.

[Capt MikeS]

I've had my Maryland Fishing Guide and Coast Guard license since 1990 . I am in the process of renewing it .I've completed the Coast Guard physical , Drug test, Criminal Record and Sea time . I was going to schedule an appointment to renew my Transportation Workers Identification Credential TWIC card . I called the TWIC center on Broening Hwy. No answer, dead number. I think they are closed? Anyway, on the renewal application, it states I can check the exempt box for my credential and bypass this procedure . It also states that by checking the box, could "Significantly' delay the processing of my Merchant Mariner Credential Renewal Application . Have any of you Captains checked this exempt box and if so, what was your time delay for getting your credential? TIA

When I renewed my CG license online in November, I checked the exempt box because I still have my expired TWIC card. Was told years ago that the TWIC did not need to be renewed if you were not going into balto harbor. I also included a scanned in copy of my TWIC card in the renewal package. Received my new license in the mail about 45 days later. No Issues..

[buckshotgumbo]

^^ Same here ^^

[ReelSmith]

I was able to schedule an appt at MVA to get TWIC card

[Capt.Nick]

From what I've read , I only need to get it once for my circumstances . I don't plan on getting another one if I don't need to.

[Capt.Nick]

There seems to be lot more Coast Guard licensed fishing guides on here than I was aware of. So for a heads up for all of you that need your Merchant Mariners credential ASAP, the Coast Guard Quarantines their mail 4 days before they are allowed to touch it . E-Mail instead.