MERPAC recommends upgrading Merchant Mariner Document rather than requiring TWIC for mariners

MERPAC recommends upgrading Merchant Mariner Document rather than requiring TWIC for mariners

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) recently reiterated its recommendation that merchant mariners should not be required to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Instead, the committee contends elements of the TWIC should be incorporated into the Merchant Mariner Document (MMD).

Including a biometric identifier would make it possible for the MMD to meet the requirements of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

MERPAC noted this position as the committee finalized its recommendations to the Coast Guard in response to the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on the "Consolidation of Merchant Mariner Qualification Credentials."

Included in the committee's recommendations are making the consolidated Merchant Mariner Credential compliant with International Labor Organization Convention 185. This would allow the Merchant Mariner Credential to serve as international security identification.

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