Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in U.S. Coastwise Trade – M/V RIPTIDE
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The Maritime Administration (MARAD), acting on behalf of the Secretary of Transportation, has received a formal request to authorize the use of a foreign-built small passenger vessel — the M/V RIPTIDE — in U.S. coastwise trade. Under U.S. law, foreign-built vessels are generally prohibited from operating in coastwise trade (the Jones Act), but MARAD holds statutory authority to grant exceptions for vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire. This notice is being published in the Federal Register to solicit public comments. The purpose of the comment period is to help MARAD assess whether granting the waiver would cause an adverse economic effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. businesses that operate domestically built vessels in coastwise trade. The vessel's ownership details, proposed service route, and operational description are included in the supplementary section of the full Federal Register notice. Interested parties — particularly domestic shipbuilders and coastwise trade operators — are encouraged to submit comments during the open comment window. This is a procedural/notice action, not a final determination. MARAD will weigh public input before issuing a ruling on whether the M/V RIPTIDE may legally operate in U.S. coastwise waters.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- MARAD received a formal waiver request to allow M/V RIPTIDE, a foreign-built vessel, to operate in U.S. coastwise trade
- Applicable only to small passenger vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire — the statutory cap for this waiver authority
- Public comment period opened to gather input on potential adverse effects on U.S. shipbuilders and coastwise trade operators
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Obligations
What this law requires
MARAD must publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comments on the request to authorize M/V RIPTIDE for U.S. coastwise trade
Interested parties, particularly domestic shipbuilders and coastwise trade operators, must submit comments during the open comment window to be considered in MARAD's decision
MARAD must assess whether granting the waiver would cause an adverse economic effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. businesses operating domestically built vessels in coastwise trade
MARAD must weigh public input received during the comment period before issuing a final ruling on M/V RIPTIDE's authorization for U.S. coastwise trade
Foreign-built vessels are prohibited from operating in U.S. coastwise trade unless an exception is granted by MARAD under statutory authority