USCG Defines Acceptable IDs for Access

USCG acceptable identification credentials and name checks The US Coast Guard issued a Notice informing the maritime community of acceptable identification credentials for access to US waterfront facilities. Operators of waterfront facilities are to restrict access to their facilities to persons with such acceptable credentials, which include: (1) a merchant mariner document; (2) an armed forces identification card; (3) a federal law enforcement credential; (4) identification credentials issued to public safety officers; (4) a state-issued commercial driver’s license with hazardous materials endorsement issued after May 31, 2005; (5) a state-issued driver’s license or identification card or a personal identification issued by the individual’s employer, union, or trade association, or a passport or commercial driver’s license issued by Canada or Mexico (for non-employees of the facility, excluding longshore workers); and (6) facility-issued employee identification cards, a stat-issued driver’s license, or a personal identification issued by the individual’s employer, union, or trade association, provided that the individual has been properly screened and has not been determined a threat (for employees of the facility and for longshore workers). Facility operators, longshore unions, and long-term contractors are also required, within the next 30 days, to provide the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with personal identifying information regarding each facility employee or longshore worker seeking to use as an identification credential a facility-issued employee ID card, a state-issued driver’s license, or a personal ID issued by the individual’s employer, union, or trade association. TSA will screen the submitted names for threats to national security (but will not conduct a criminal records check). The names will also be screened to determine immigration status. Individuals believed to pose a security risk will be notified and provided an opportunity to challenge to determination. Individuals found, after such opportunity, to present a security challenge will not be allowed access to waterfront facilities. Note: While this document is labeled as a Notice, for all intents and purposes it is actually a regulation, and should be treated as such. source: HK Law