• Our CSO is Kyle Shaw.  All crews should know this fact

The person responsible for each towing vessel's security is the Vessel Security Officer or VSO. 

•  The VSO is the Captain and in his absence, the Relief Captain.

All crewmembers must have knowledge of the ASP and may review it at the discretion of the VSO.  Situational Awareness is key in vessel security so all crewmembers should:

• Be knowledgeable of any current security threats.
• Be able to recognize and detect dangerous substances and devices.
• Be observant and able to recognize suspicious behavior.
• Be prepared to recognize fraudulent Id's/TWIC
• Understand the different MERSEC levels.

Your crew should be ready to brief approved visitors to the vessel of the current MERSEC level, basic security awareness and proper reporting procedures for suspicious activity.  Are all crew members aware of the current MERSEC level?

• ALL areas of our Boats and Barges are "Secure Areas"
• To access a secure area on our vessels,
  • a non crew member has and shows to our crew a valid TWIC.  They must sign in.
  • a non crew member has and shows to our crew a valid ID.  They must sign in.  They must be escorted by a member of our crew the entire time aboard.
  • a credentialed government employee on official business has and shows to our crewmember a government ID (Federal, State or Local). They must sign in.
• To escort an approved visitor who is a non TWIC holder,
  • vessel crew must provide a side by side escort during the entire time of the visit on board
  • Escorting means ensuring that the escorted individual is continuously accompanied while within a secure area in a manner sufficient to observe whether the escorted individual is engaged in activities other than those for which escorted access was granted."
  • a crewman may not escort more than 10 non TWIC holders.
• When screening a visitor's TWIC
  • Match the photo on the TWIC to the holder
  • Check the expiration date
  • Check the security features on the TWIC
    • stars upper right to lower left
    • TWIC triangle in middle
    • 8 point star lower right
• Crew members do not have to keep TWIC with them at all times, but must be able to produce in 10 minutes if requested by USCG.
• If your TWIC is lost or stolen 
  • Report to the Channelview office, your VSO and TSA at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942) within 24 hours. 
  • Start the replacement process with a VisaŽ or Master CardŽ credit card over the phone when you call the TWIC Help Desk. Replacement cards are $60.00. 
  • The Help Desk, will email you a payment receipt with the payment confirmation number.
  • You will be allowed to remain onboard for 7 days, plus another 30 days if the replacement card is not ready. You must be able to show the receipt for your replacement card.