TWIC Deadline extended to April 2009

The DHS issued this statement today:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced that the final
compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
program will be April 15, 2009, which reflects a realignment of the Sept. 25,
2008 compliance date set in the final rule. The seven month extension is a
direct result of collaboration with port officials and industry, and realigns
the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule.

Owners and operators of facilities located within Captain of the Port Zones Boston, Northern New England, and Southeastern New England will need to comply by October 15, 2008. These three ports were selected based on favorable conditions that facilitate near-term implementation. These ports are ideal for initial compliance based upon geographic proximity, the size of their TWIC enrollment population, and respective enrollment efforts to date. Additional ports will be announced in the coming weeks, and the Coast Guard will provide at least 90 days notice prior to enforcement

The deadline has now been extended from Sept 25, 2008 until April 15, 2009 for licensed mariners to get a TWIC. But why wait? The gas costs for two trips to the TWICCEN will be more if you wait.

I love the part about "collaboration with port officials and industry". What a bunch of crap. They have been working on this for 5 years, and every step of the way, the 'industry' has been involved (mostly fighting the TWIC), and has said all along that the enrollment period was way too short and unworkable. Suddenly, with the original deadline only 20 weeks away, the TSA and DHS have reconsidered - sorry, realigned - the deadline.