-.-r-. T r- - 

### BPOHlAllO N

DEPARTMEN T O FTRANSPORTATIO N 4910-9 X

4 9 CF RPar t

3 9 [Docke t OST-2007-26829 ]

RI N 2105-AB8 7 Transportatio n fo r

Individual s wit h Disabilities : Passenge r Vessel s
AGENCY : Departmen t

o f Transportation , Offic e o f th e Secretary . ACTION : Final Rule ; Reques t for Comment s
SUMMARY : Th e Departmen t i s issuin g ane w American s with Disabilitie s Ac t (ADA ) rul e t o ensur e nondiscriminatio n o n th e basi s o f disability b y passenge r

vesse l operator s (PVOs) . Thi s rulemakin g concern s servic e an dpolic y issues . Issue s concernin g physica l accessibilit y standard s wil l b e addresse dat alate r time , i n conjunctio n with propose dpassenge r vesse l accessibility guideline s drafte db y th e Unite dState s Acces s Board . Th e Departmen t i s als o seekin g further

commen t

o n thre e issues , concernin g emotiona l support animals , mobility aids , an dth e relationshi p o f

DO T an dDO J rules .DATES : Thi s rul e i s effectiv e [insert dat e 12 0 day s fro mdat e o f publicatio n i n th e Federa l Register . I Comment s shoul db e receive db y [insert dat e 9 0 day s fro mdat e o f publicatio n in th e Federa l Register] . ADDRESSES : Yo u may submi t comment s (identifie db y th e agenc y nam e an dDO T Docke t I D Numbe r OST-2007-26829 ) b y an y o f th e followin g methods :

• Federa l eRulemakin g Portal : G o t o www.regulations.gov an dfollo w th e onlin e instruction s for

submittin g comments .

• Mail : Docke t

Managemen t

Facility : U.S . Departmen t o f Transportation , 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenu e S.E. , Wes t Buildin g Groun dFloor , Roo mW12-140 , Washington , D.C . 20590-000 1

• Han dDelivery o r

Courier : Wes t

Buildin g Groun dFloor , Roo mW12-140 , 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenu e S.E. , betwee n 9 a.m . an d5 p.m . ET , Monda y throug h Friday , excep t Federa l holidays .

• Fax : 202-493-225 1 Instructions : Yo u mus t

includ e th e agenc y nam e (Offic e o f th e Secretary , DOT ) an dDocke t numbe r (OST-2009

- ) for

thi s notic e at

th e beginnin g of

you r comments . Yo u shoul dsubmi t tw o copies o f

you r comment s if

yo u submi t

the mb y mai l o r

courier . Not e tha t

al l comment s receive dwil l b e poste dwithou t chang e t o www.regulations.go v includin g an y persona l informatio n provide dan dwil l b e availabl e t o interne t users . Yo u may revie w DOT' s complet e Privac y Ac t

Statemen t

i n th e Federa l Registe r

publishe do n Apri l 11 , 200 0 (6 5 FR19477 ) o r yo u may visi t http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov .3

Docket : Fo r

interne t acces s t o th e docke t

t o rea dbackgroun ddocument s an dcomment s received , g o t o www.regulations.gov . Backgroun ddocument s an dcomment s receive dmay als o b e viewe da

t th e U.S . Departmen t

of Transportation , 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Av e SE, Docke t Operations , M-30 , Wes t

Buildin g Groun dFloor , Roo mW12-140 , Washington , D C 20590 , betwee n 9:0 0 a.m . an d5:0 0 p.m. , Monday throug h Friday , excep t Federa l holidays . FO RFURTHE RINFORMATIO N CONTACT : Robert C . Ashby , Deputy Assistan t Genera l Counse l for

Regulatio n an dEnforcement , Departmen t of Transportation , 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenu e SE , Roo mW94-302 , Washington , D C 20590 . (202 ) 366-931 0 (voice) ; (202 ) 366-768 7 (TDD) ; bob.ashbv@dot.go v (e-mail) . SUPPLEMENTAR Y INFORMATION : Th e Departmen t o f Transportatio n ha s issue drule s concernin g nondiscriminatio n o n th e basi s o f disabilit y for

almos t every mod e o f

passenge r transportation , includin g publi c transportatio n (bus , subway , commute r rail) , over-the-roa d buses , intercity rail , an dair transportation . Th e onl y mod e for whic h th e Departmen t

ha s ye t t o issu e rule s i s transportatio n b y passenge r vessels . Wit

h thi s fina l rule , th e Departmen t

ca n begi n t o clos e thi s gap in coverag e of transportatio n for

individual s with disabilities . Backgroun d Whe n th e Departmen t

issue dit s firs t

American s with Disabilitie s Ac t (ADA ) rule s i n 1991 , w e discusse dth e coverag e o f passenge r

vessels . Th e Departmen t reserve dactio n o n passenge r vessel s i n th e regulatory tex t i n th e final rule , an dmad e th e followin g statement s o n th e subjec t

i n th e preambl e (5 6 FR45599-45560 ; Septembe r 6 , 1991) :Ferrie s an dpassenge r vessel s operate db y publi c entitie s ar e covere db y th e ADA , an d subjec t a t thi s tim e t o DO J Titl e II requirement s a s wel l a s §37. 5 of thi s Part....W e anticipat e further

rulemakin g t o creat e appropriat e requirement s for passenge r

vessels... . Th e reaso n for

thi s actio n i s that , a

t th e presen t

time , th e Departmen t

lack s sufficient infonnatio n t o determin e what ar e reasonabl e accessibilit y requirement s fo r variou s kind s of passenge r

vessels . . . .Th e Departmen t o f Transportatio n anticipate s workin g with th e Acces s Boar dan dDO J o n further rulemakin g t o defin e requirement s for passenge r vessels....Th e Departmen t doe s wan t

t o mak e clear

it s vie w that

th e AD A doe s cove r passenge r vessels , includin g ferries , excursio n vessels , sightseein g vessels , floatin g restaurants , cruis e ships , an dothers . Cruis e ship s ar e aparticularl y interestin g exampl e o f vessel s subjec t

t o AD A coverage . Cruis e ship s ar e auniqu e mod e o f transportation . Cruis e ship s ar e self-containe dfloatin g communities . In additio n t o transportin g passengers , cruis e ship s house , feed , an d entertai n passenger s an dthu s tak e o n aspect s o f publi c accommodations . Therefor e cruis e ship s appea

r t o b e ahybri do f

atransportatio n servic e an dapubli c accommodation.. . I n additio n t o bein g publi c accommodations , cruis e ship s clearl y ar e withi n th e scop e o f a "specifie dpubli c transportatio n service. " Th e AD A prohibit s discriminatio n i n th e full an dequa l enjoymen t

o f specifie dpubli c transportatio n service s provide db y aprivat e entity that i s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g peopl e an dwhos e operation s affec t

commerc e (§304(a)) . "Specifie dpubli c transportation " i s define db y §301(10 ) a s "transportatio n b y bus , rail , o r an y othe r

conveyanc e (othe r

than b y aircraft ) tha t provide s th e genera l publi c with genera l o r specia l servic e (includin g charte r service ) o n aregular

an dcontinuin g basis. " Cruis e ship s easil y mee t

th e definitio n o f

"specifie dpubli c transportation. " Cruis e ship s ar e use dalmos t

exclusivel y for

transportin g passenger s an dn o on e doubt s that thei r operation s affec t

commerce . Cruis e ship s operat e accordin g t o se t schedule s o r

for charte r an dthei r service s ar e offere dt o th e genera l public . Finally , despit e som e seasona l variations , thei r

service s ar e offere do n aregular an dcontinuin g basis . Virtuall y al l cruis e ship s servin g U.S . port s ar e foreign-fla g vessels . Internationa l la w clearl y allow s th e U.S . t o exercis e jurisdictio n ove r foreign-fla g vessel s whil e the y ar e i n U.S . ports , subjec t

t o treat y obligations . A stat e ha s complet e sovereignt y ove r it s interna l waters , includin g ports . Therefore , onc e acommercia l shi p voluntaril y enter s aport , i t become s subjec t

t o th e jurisdictio n o f

th e coasta l state . I n addition , astat e may conditio n th e entry of

aforeig n shi p int o it' s interna l water s o r port s o n complianc e wit

h it s law s an d regulations . Th e Unite dState s thu s appear s t o hav e jurisdictio n t o appl y AD A requirement s t o foreign-fla g cruis e ship s that cal l i n U.S . ports . Th e U.S . Suprem e Court

affirme dth e Department' s long-hel dvie w that th e AD A cover s passenge r vessels , specificall y includin g foreign-fla g cruis e ships . In Specto r e t al . v .Norwegia n Cruis e Lines , 54 5 U.S . 11 9 (2005) , th e Court hel dtha t cruis e ship s are "publi c accommodations " that

provid e "specifie dpubli c transportation " withi n th e meanin g o f th e ADA . Th e Court

sai dthat , whil e ther e may b e som e limitation s o n th e coverag e o f th e AD A t o matter s purel y concernin g th e interna l affair s o f aforeign-fla g vessel , matter s concernin g th e shi p operators ' policie s an dcondition s relatin g t o transportatio n of passenger s wit

h disabilitie s (e.g. , highe r fare s o r surcharge s for

disable dpassengers , waiver s o f medica l liability , requirement s for attendants ) ha dnothin g t o d o with aship' s interna l affairs . Suc h matters , then , ar e clearl y subjec t t o AD A jurisdiction . I

t i s issue s o f

thi s kin dtha t

ar e th e focu s o f

thi s fina l rule . Th e Acces s Boar dha s bee n workin g for som e tim e o n draftin g accessibility guideline s for passenge r

vessels . O n Novembe r

26 , 2004 , th e Acces s Boar dpublishe dfor commen t a notic e o f availabilit y o f

draf t guideline s fo r

large r passenge r

vessel s wit

h acapacity o f

ove r 15 0 passenger s o r

overnigh t

accommodation s for

ove r 4 9 passengers . Sinc e tha t time , th e Acces s Boar dha s bee n reviewin g comment s receive dan dplannin g wor k o n aRegulator y Assessmen t for vesse l guidelines . O n Jul y 7 , 2006 , th e Acces s Boar dissue dasecon dnotic e o f availability askin g for comment s o n arevise ddraf t o f vesse l guidelines . Followin g th e revie w o f comment s o n that notice , th e Acces s Board , i n cooperatio n with th e Departmen t o f Transportation , woul d issu e an NPR M an dRegulatory Assessmen t concernin g physica l accessibilit y requirement s for large r passenge r

vessels . A s envisioned , th e final rul e resultin g fro msuc h afuture NPR M woul dultimatel y b e joine dwith afina l rul e resultin g fro mthi s fina l rul e i n asingle , comprehensiv e passenge r vesse l AD A rule . O n Novembe r

29 , 2004 , th e Departmen t publishe da

n advanc e notic e o f

propose d rulemakin g (ANPRM ) askin g question s abou t th e shap e o f

future AD A requirement s for passenge r vessel s (6 9 F

R69247) . Th e Departmen t receive d4 3 comment s t o th e ANPRM . Mos tof

thes e comment s concerne dth e Acces s Board' s draf t guideline s an dphysica l accessibilit y issue s relatin g t o existin g an dne w vessels , an dsom e o f the mconcerne dphysica l accessibilit y issue s specifi c t o ver

y smal l vessels . Th e Departmen t i s retainin g thes e comment s an dwil l conside r the mi n contex t

o f th e continuin g work

o n th e Acces s Board' s draf t vesse l guideline s an dth e future NPRM that woul dpropos e t o incorporat e thos e guideline s i n DO T rules . Th e onl y commen t

o n th e ANPR M tha t

concerne dissue s include di n thi s NPR M wa s fro mth e Internationa l Counci l o f Cruis e Line s (ICCL) , atrad e associatio n for entitie s i n th e cruis e industry . ICC L recommende dtha t th e rule s exemp t

transfer s o f

person s fro mlarge r vessel s t o tenders ; recogniz e th e flexibility o f cabi n configurations ; exclud e fro mcoverag e shor e excursion s provide db y third-party-vendors , particularl y i n foreig n countries ; hav e eligibilit y criteri aan ddirec t

threa t provision s tha

t allo w operator s t o establis h policie s that wil l avoi dsafet

y risks ; permi t

requirement s for

persona l attendants ; an dpermi t limitation s o n th e transportatio n o f servic e animals . Th e Departmen t addresse dthes e comment s i n contex t o f th e individua l section s o f th e propose drule . Th e notic e o f

propose drulemakin g (NPRM ) for thi s rul e wa s issue do n Januar y 23 , 200 7 (7 2 FR2833) . I

n respons e t o th e NPRM , hundred s o f comment s wer e receive dfro mdisabilit y advocac y groups , th e regulate dindustry , othe r governmenta l agencies , an dth e genera l public . A t th e reques t

o f industry , th e Departmen t hel dapubli c meetin g o n Apri l 8-9 , 2008 , wher e member s o f

thes e group s attende dt o informth e Departmen t o f thei r view s o n th e practica l effec t o f th e NPRM' s provisions . Thi s fina l rul e addresse s th e comment s receive din th e docke t an dat th e publi c meeting . Section-bv-Sectio n Analysi s7

§39. 1 Wha t

i s th e purpos e o f

thi s Part ? Thi s sectio n briefl y state s th e nondiscrimination-relate dpurpose s o f th e rul e an dspecifie s that nondiscriminatio n requirement s appl y t o operator s o f foreign-fla g a s wel l a s U.S . vessels . 39. 3 Wha t

d o th e term s i n thi s rul e mean ? Thi s sectio n define s th e term s use di n thi s rule . Man y o f th e definition s ar e base do n paralle l definition s i n othe r disabilit y nondiscriminatio n regulations , adapte dt o th e passenge r vesse l context . Thi s preambl e discussio n focuse s o n term s tha t ar e specifi c t o th e passenge r vesse l context . Othe r

term s hav e th e sam e meaning s a s the y d o in othe r DO T disabilit y rules . Becaus e thi s rul e doe s not propos e physica l accessibilit y requirement s for vessels , th e definitio n o f

"accessible " wil l b e fleshe dou t wit h propose dstandard s base do n Acces s Boar d guideline s i n afutur

e rulemaking . Th e definition s o f "auxiliar y aid s an dservices " an d"direc t threat " ar e draw n fro mDepartmen t o f Justic e regulations . "Direc t threat " concern s onl y threat s t o th e health an dsafet

y o f others . Somethin g that

may threate n onl y th e healt h o r safet y o f a passenge r wit h adisability , himsel f

o r herself , b y definitio n canno t

b e adirec t

threat . Th e definitio n o f

"direc t threat " i s consisten t

with th e understandin g o f tha t termin DO T an dDO J regulations . In th e preambl e t o it s over-the-roa dbu s AD A rulemaking , th e Departmen t provide d athoroug h discussio n o f

thi s concep t

(6 3 F R51671-51674) , whic h remain s agoo dguid e t o th e Department' s thinkin g o n thi s issue . Th e definitio n o f "disability " i s consisten t with recen t statutory amendment s t o th e ter mi n th e ADA . Th e definitio n of

"facilities " i s als o consisten t with th e definitio n o f

thi s ter mi n othe r DO J an dDO T rules . Example s o f facilitie s in th e passenge r vesse l contex t

includ e suc h thing s landsid e facilitie s an dfloatin g dock s that avesse l operato r

owns , leases , o r

control s in th e U.S .(includin g it s territories , possessions , an dcommonwealths) . Comment s receive di n relatio n t o th e definitio n o f

facilitie s an dterminal s fro mth e cruis e lin e industry objecte dt o applyin g thi s rulemakin g t o facilitie s outsid e th e U.S . du e t o possibl e conflic t wit h th e law s of

th e hos t nation . A s i n th e cas e o f

th e Ai r Carrie r Acces s Act , wher e th e Departmen t doe s no t assert jurisdictio n ove r aiiport s in foreig n countries , th e Departmen t doe s no t in thi s rul e attemp t

t o cove r port facilitie s abroad . A passenge r vesse l operato r

(PVO ) woul db e viewe da s controllin g afacility , eve n i f it di dno t ow n o r leas e it , if

th e facility owner , throug h acontrac t o r othe r arrangement , delegate dauthority ove r

us e o f th e facility t o th e passenge r vesse l operato r

durin g thos e time s i n whic h th e vesse l was at

th e facility . Th e Departmen t

realize s that

entitie s othe r

than PVOs , suc h a s municipalitie s o r othe r privat e businesses , may own , lease , o r contro l U.S . landsid e facilitie s that passenge r

vessel s use . Th e obligation s of

thes e entitie s woul db e controlle db y Title s I I an dII I of th e AD A and , i n som e cases , b y sectio n 50 4 o f

th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t

o f 1973 . A relationshi p i s envisione dbetwee n th e facility owner/controlle r an dth e PV O t o b e analogou s t o othe r situation s in whic h entitie s subjec t t o different

disabilit y acces s rule s shar e responsibilit y (e.g. , publi c entit y landlor dsubjec t t o Titl e I I lease s propert y t o aprivat e entit y subjec t t o Title III) . Th e term"disability " means , wit h respec t t o a n individual , aphysica l o r menta l impairmen t

that substantiall y limit s on e o r mor e o f th e majo r lif e activitie s o f

suc h individual ; a recor do f suc h an impairment ; o r

bein g regarde da s havin g suc h a n impairment . A commente r expresse dconcern that

passenger s may hav e man y different kind s o f disabilities an dsai dthat

th e propose drul e doe s no t

clearl y defin e "disability. " Anothe r commente r

state dthat

th e definitio n o f "disability " i s unnecessaril y confusin g sinc e it allow s peopl e wh o ar e "misclassifie da s disabled " t o b e considere ddisable dfor th e purpose s of

thi s rule .Th e definitio n o f th e term"disability " i

n thi s rulemakin g i s basedo n th e AD A statutory definitio n o f

"disability, " fro mwhic h i t woul dno t

b e appropriat e t o depart . Peopl e wh o ar e "regarde das " havin g adisability , eve n if i n fac t the y don't , hav e alway s bee n aprotecte dclas s unde r di e ADA . It

i s certainl y tru e that

ther e ar e man y kind s o f

disabilities , an dth e definition , a s fittin g in aremedia l statute , i s intentionall y broad . Th e purpos e of th e mos t recen t amendments t o th e statut e wa s t o overtur n th e effec t o f court decision s that

Congres s believe dha d inappropriatel y narrowe dth e scop e o f th e definitio n o f

disabilit y i n th e ADA . Th e definitio n o f

"histori c vessel " i s als o on e tha t i s likel y t o becom e mor e significan t whe n future rulemaking s includ e physica l accessibilit y standard s t o Part 39 . "New, " "existing, " an d"used " passenge r

vesse l ar e als o term s tha t wil l b e o f

greate r importanc e onc e physica l accessibility standard s ar e i n place . Becaus e the y ar e no t necessar y i n thi s regulation , th e Departmen t

ha s delete dthes e definitions . W e anticipat e proposin g definition s o f thes e an dothe r term s relevan t

t o th e applicatio n o f

physica l accessibilit y standard s i n asubsequen t rulemakin g relate dt o Acces s Boar dproposal s for passenge r

vesse l guidelines . "Operates " mean s di e provisio n o f transportatio n b y an y publi c o r privat e entit y o n a passenge r vessel . Moreover , th e definitio n als o include s th e provisio n o f b y anothe r

part y havin g acontractua l o r

othe r arrangemen t

o r relationshi p wit

h th e PV O involved . A s i n othe r part s o f th e Department' s accessibilit y rules , apart y ca n contrac t ou t it s functions , bu t

carmo t contrac t away it s responsibilities . "Passenge r

vessel " i s mean t

t o b e abroadl y encompassin g termfor an y boat , ship , o r othe r craf t tha t i s hire db y member s o f

th e publi c o r

for othe r activitie s conducte da s apar t o f th e vesse l operator' s norma l operation s (whic h coul dinclud e promotiona l activitie s suc h a s th e us e o f avesse l b y member s o f

th e publi c for

whic h afare i s no t

charge do r

fre e ferr y service) . Boat s1 0

o r othe r craf t that ar e rente do r

lease dt o consumer s t o b e operate db y th e consume r (versu s b y th e passenge r

vesse l operato r

an dit s personnel ) ar e no t covered . On e commente r

recommende dexcludin g vessel s that support offshore oi l an dga s activitie s fro mthi s definition . Suc h vessel s are chartere db y acustome r principall y for

transport of cargo . Othe r

commenter s recommende dexcludin g fromth e rulemakin g suppl y vessels , cre w boats , al l vessel s belo w acertai n siz e (e.g. , 100 gros s tons , spac e for 15 0 o r 6 passengers ) schoo l trainin g o r

sailin g vessels , party fishin g vessels , an dresearc h vessel s carryin g student s if th e "mission " o f

th e vesse l woul db e compromised . I t appear s that

man y o f thes e comment s wer e base do n th e premis e that thi s rul e wil l requir e significan t

physica l change s t o existin g vessels . I t wil l not . Thi s rul e addresse s policie s an dpractice s o f

PVOs , no t

th e desig n o r

constructio n o f

thei r vessels . Wit

h respec t t o PV O policie s that

would , for

example , exclud e a

n individua l becaus e h e i s blind , o r charg e extr afee s becaus e apassenge r

use s awheelchai r

o r othe r assistiv e device , th e nondiscriminatio n principle s of th e AD A d o no t

appl y an y differentl y becaus e o f th e siz e o r

functio n o f

avessel . A s it develop s it s vesse l accessibilit y guidelines , th e Acces s Boardi s takin g vesse l siz e matter s int o account , an di n future rulemakin g th e Departmen t anticipate s harmonizin g it s standard s with th e Acces s Boar dguidelines , includin g siz e limitation s th e Acces s Boar drul e may adopt . Th e Passenge r

Vesse l Associatio n commente dthat , wher e avesse l owne r o r operato r i s no t pai dfor carryin g th e passengers , ther e shoul db e n o additiona l requirement s place do n th e owne r b y th e rule . Th e Departmen t disagrees . Th e right s o f

individual s with disabilities ar e protecte dunde r

th e AD A whethe r

o r no t th e individua l i s apayin g customer . Ther e i s n o basi s unde r th e statut e fo

r treatin g individual s differentl y base do n thei r statu s a s payin g o r

non-payin g passengers .1 1

"Passenge r

vesse l operator " i s ater mthat include s both owner s an doperator s of a passenge r vessel . A PV O may b e eithe r apubli c or

aprivat e entity . Sometimes , ownershi p of vessel s can b e complex , wit h tw o o r mor e partie s involved, , with ye t anothe r part y responsibl e for th e day-to-da y operatio n o f th e vessel . In suc h situations , al l th e partie s involve dwoul db e jointl y an dseverall y responsibl e for complianc e with thes e rules . I n achang e fro mth e NPRM , th e termPV O include s onl y privat e entitie s primaril y engage din th e busines s o f transportin g people . Th e Departmen t o f Justic e (DOJ ) ha s authority ove r publi c accommodation s that operat e vessel s an dar e no t primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people . DOJ' s regulation s applicabl e t o publi c accommodation s appl y t o ensur e nondiscriminatio n b y suc h vesse l operators . Person s with complaint s o r concern s abou t discriminatio n o n th e basi s o f disabilit y b y vesse l operator s wh o ar e privat e entitie s no t primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people , o r

question s abou t

ho w DOJ' s regulation s appl y t o suc h operator s an dvessels , shoul dcontac t DOJ . Fo r

thes e reasons , i t

ha s bee n determine d tha t i t i s no t necessar y t o includ e provision s i n thi s fina l rul e concernin g vessel s operate db y privat e entitie s not

primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people . Th e basi c distinctio n i s tha t avesse l operato r

whos e vesse l takes passenger s fro mPoin t A t o Poin t

B (e.g. , acruis e shi p tha t sail s fro mMiam i t o on e o r mor e Caribbea n islands , aprivat e ferr y boa t betwee n tw o point s o n eithe r sid e o f ariver , awate r

tax i betwee n tw o point s i n a n urban area ) i s mos t

likel y aprivat e entit y primaril y i n th e busines s o f transportin g people . A vesse l operato r

wh o depart s fro mPoin t

A , take s passenger s o n arecreationa l trip , an dreturn s passenger s t o Poin t

A withou t

eve r providin g for

disembarkatio n at

aPoin t B (e.g. , adinne r

o r harbo r cruise , afishin g charter ) i s mos t likel y aprivat e entity no t primaril y engage di n th e busines s of

transportin g people . I

n case s wher e it

i s no t clear whethe r avesse l operato r

i s o r i s1 2

no t primaril y engage din th e busines s o f transportin g people , th e Departmen t o f Transportation , in consultatio n with DOJ , wil l determin e int o whic h category th e operato r falls . Ther e ma y b e certai n situation s i n whic h apassenge r vessel' s operation s ca

n simultaneousl y b e subjec t t o bot h DO T an dDO J mles . Th e terms , "individua l wit h adisability " an d"qualifie dindividua l with adisability, " hav e similar meaning s for

purpose s o f

th e rule . Ther e coul db e situations i n whic h aqualifie d individua l with adisabilit y may no t actuall y b e apassenger , suc h a s i n th e cas e o f a n individua l choosin g t o assis t

aperso n with adisability i n way s tha t d o no t involv e actuall y accompanyin g th e perso n o n avoyag e (e.g. , assistanc e wit h buyin g tickets , assistanc e i n movin g throug h a terminal , advocatin g fo r

th e perso n wit

h th e PV O concernin g policie s affectin g th e person' s travel) . "Specifie dpubli c transportation " shoul dno t b e rea dunde r

thi s Part t o includ e promotiona l ride s o n vessel s for th e purpos e o f

informin g avesse l purchase . No r doe s it includ e operation s o f

vessel s b y privat e entitie s no t primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people . "Terminal " refer s t o property o r facilitie s adjacen t

t o th e mean s o f

boardin g avesse l that passenger s us e t o ge t

t o th e vessel . A terminal , i n thi s sense , can b e alarg e complex , abuilding , o r avery simpl e facility . Importantly , terminal s ar e covere dunde r Part 3 9 onl y t o th e exten t

that th e PV O own s o r

lease s th e termina l o r

exercise s contro l ove r

it s selection , design , construction , o r alteratio n (e.g. , PV O select s sit e for constructio n o f

ne w facility ; PV O ha s choic e o f dockin g at existin g accessibl e o r

inaccessibl e facility) . Th e definitio n o f

"wheelchair " i s take n fromth e Department' s AD A rul e for surfac e transportatio n modes , 4 9 CFRPar t 37 . Th e onl y differenc e i s that th e Par t 3 9 definitio n doe s no t1 3

includ e asentenc e refenin g to th e "commo n wheelchair " tenn . Thi s termwa s take n fro m Acces s Boar dguideline s relatin g t o th e desig n an dconstructio n o f surfac e transportatio n vehicles, an di t

i s not clear that th e termha s arelevan t

applicatio n in th e passenge r vesse l context . Moreover , th e inclusio n of th e ter mi n Part

3 7 ha s bee n problematic , i n tha t i t ha s le dt o unanticipate doperationa l application s o f what wa s intende dt o b e adesig n standard . 39. 5 T o who md o th e provision s o f thi s Par t apply ? Th e Departmen t

i s applyin g th e provision s o f thi s Part t o al l passenge r

vessels , regardles s of size . Ther e ar e thre e majo r exception s t o thi s genera l coverage . First , whil e al l U.S.-flagge d vessel s woul db e covered , coverage o f foreign-fla g vessel s woul db e limite dt o thos e that pic k u p o r discharg e passenger s in th e U.S . Fo r example , suppos e aforeign-fla g cruis e PV O operate s tw o ships . On e o f

the msail s onl y amon g port s i n Europe . Anothe r pick s u p passenger s i n Miami an dcruise s t o severa l Caribbea n ports . Th e latte r woul db e covere dan dth e forme r woul d not . Severa l commenter s recommende dfor th e rul e t o appl y t o al l domesti c an dforeig n cruis e ships , includin g rive r

cruis e ships , regardles s o f whethe r th e ship s pick s u p passenger s i n th e U.S . Th e Cruis e Line s Internationa l Association , Inc . disagreed , an dcommente dthat th e rule s shoul dno t

cove r foreig n flag cruis e ship s that d o no t embark , disembark , o r

sto p a t an y U.S . port s becaus e Congres s ha s no t mad e a"clea r

statement " o f

inten t tha t th e AD A appl y extraterritorially . Thi s rul e cover s onl y thos e vessel s that pic k u p o r discharg e passenger s i n th e U.S . Th e secon dexceptio n wil l addres s vesse l accessibilit y standards . T o thi s end , thi s rul e reserve s paragrap h (c ) t o stat e th e scop e o f th e applicabilit y o f

thes e standard s i n th e future . A s note dabove , som e comment s urge dexemptin g smal l vessel s fro mth e rule s du e t o th e difficult y1 4

i n makin g physica l modificatrion s t o suc h vessels . Th e Departmen t note s that

draf t Acces s Boar dvesse l guideline s woul dlimi t thei r applicatio n to vessel s permitte dt o carry ove r 15 0 passenger s o r

ove r 4 9 overnigh t

passenge r

capacity categories , a s wel l a s tender s with acapacity o f 6 0 o r mor e an dal l ferries . Th e Departmen t woul dfollo w th e Acces s Board' s fina l guidelines , whe n the y ar e issued , wit h respec t t o coverage . Whil e exemption s o r

scopin g provision s base do n vesse l siz e migh t b e appropriat e for accessibilit y standards , th e Departmen t believe s tha t

ther e i s n o basi s b y whic h t o justif y a n exemptio n fro mth e nondiscriminatio n provision s no t relate dt o suc h standards . Th e provision s o f thi s rul e ar e d o no t

requir e physica l change s t o avessel , bu t rathe r concern a

n operator' s policie s t o ensur e treatmen t for disable dpassenger s that

i s consisten t

with th e inten t

o f th e ADA . Th e thir dexception , a s note dabove , i s that th e rul e wil l appl y onl y t o privat e entitie s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people , an dno t t o privat e entitie s no t

primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people . Thi s chang e eliminate s fro mcoverag e th e vas t majority o f

smal l privat e entitie s t o whic h th e NPR M woul dhav e applied . 39. 7 Wha t

othe r authoritie s concernin g nondiscriminatio n o n th e basi s o f disabilit y appl y t o owner s an doperator s o f passenge r

vessels ? Thi s sectio n simpl y point s out that recipient s o f

Federa l financial assistanc e (e.g. , som e publi c ferr

y operators ) are , i n additio n t o Part 39 , subjec t

t o sectio n 50 4 o f

th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t an dDO T implementin g rules . Departmen t o f Justic e (DOJ ) AD A regulations , a s applicable , als o cove r PVOs ,1 5

39. 9 Wha t

ma y aPV O o f

aforeign-fla g vesse l d o if i t believe s tha t

aprovisio n o f

aforeig n nation' s la w prohibit s complianc e wit h aprovisio n o f thi s Part ? Sectio n 39.9 , whic h parallel s languag e in th e Department' s Ai r Carrie r Acces s Ac t (ACAA ) rule s fo

r foreig n carriers , provide s awaive r mechanis mfor

situations i

n whic h aPV O for aforeign-fla g vesse l believe s that abindin g lega l requiremen t o f aforeig n natio n (o r

of a n internationa l agreement ) preclude s complianc e with arequiremen t o f Part 39 . Thi s provisio n concern s bindin g lega l requirements , no t guidanc e o r

code s o f suggeste dpractices . I

t concern s situation s i n whic h suc h abindin g lega l requiremen t actuall y preclude s complianc e with aPart 3 9 provisio n (e.g. . Part

3 9 say s "Yo u mus t

d o X, " whil e abindin g foreig n lega l requiremen t say s "Yo u mus t

not d o X") , a s oppose dt o asituatio n wher e foreig n la w authorize s apractic e tha t differ s fro maPart

3 9 requiremen t

(e.g. . Part

3 9 say s "Yo u mus t

d o Y, " whil e aforeig n la w say s "Yo u may d o Z") . I

n asituatio n wher e th e Departmen t grant s awaiver , th e Departmen t woul d loo k t o th e PV O for

areasonabl e alternativ e mean s o f achievin g th e purpos e o f th e waive d provision . T o avoi dplacin g PVO s i n asituatio n i n whic h the y potentiall y woul db e require dt o compl y wit

h contradictory legal requirements , thi s rul e provide s PVO s 9 0 day s fro mth e publicatio n o f

th e fina l rul e t o fil e awaive r

request . I

f th e PV O file s awaive r

reques t meetin g th e requirement s o f

thi s sectio n withi n that

period , i t coul dcontinu e t o implemen t policie s that

i t believe s ar e consisten t

wit h th e foreig n la w i n questio n pendin g th e Department' s decisio n o n th e waive r request . A commente r

suggeste dthat

a n internationa l governin g bod y coul db e se t u p t o mediat e issue s o f conflic t betwee n foreig n la

w an dU.S . law . Th e sam e commente r recommende dtha t suc h agovernin g body coul dals o evaluat e aPVO' s alternativ e mean s o f complianc e unde r

th e1 6

standar do f

"bes t interes t o f th e perso n with adisability. " At thi s time , th e Departmen t doe s no t believ e that

th e establishmen t

o f procedure s othe r

tha n thos e propose di n th e NPRM i s appropriat e o r

necessary . Thes e decision s ar e properl y mad e b y th e Departmen t a s part of it s AD A responsibilities . Th e paralle l provision s unde r th e Ai r Carrie r Acces s Ac t

hav e worke dwel l with respec t

t o internationa l ai r

carriers . Propose dsectio n 39.11 , concernin g equivalen t facilitation , ha s bee n reserve dsinc e it relate s mainl y t o future standard s base do n th e Acces s Board' s vesse l desig n an dconstructio n guidelines , whic h hav e no t ye t bee n formall y propose do r adopte db y th e Acces s Board . Th e Departmen t

anticipate s proposin g suc h aprovisio n i n asubsequen t NPR M t o adop t

Acces s Boar dguidelines .

39.1 3 Whe n mus t

PVO s compl y wit h th e provision s o f thi s Part ? A s agenera l matter , PVO s woul dhav e t o begi n t o compl y with th e provision s o f thi s rul e a s soo n a s th e rul e become s effective . Ther e i s n o eviden t reaso n wh y PVO s shoul dnee da length y phase-i n perio dt o compl y with requirement s pertainin g t o denial s o f transportatio n o n th e basi s o f

disability , extr ao r

specia l charges , attendants , advanc e notice , waiver s o f liability , etc . Indeed , asignifican t

numbe r o f PV O commenter s sai dthat thei r practice s an dpolicie s ar e alread y consisten t

wit h th e requirement s th e Departmen t i s makin g par t

o f thi s rule . Comment s wer e receive durgin g arang e o f option s fro mrequirin g inmiediat e complianc e with th e rul e t o delayin g th e rul e unti l i t ca n b e issue dwith th e Acces s Board' s fina l standard s an ds o that

trainin g can b e conducte dfor implementin g th e rule . A s th e fina l rul e doe s no t includ e trainin g requirement s an dn o vesse l modification s ar e require da s aresul t o f thi s rule , th e1 7

Departmen t

believe s tha

t simpl y definin g nondiscriminatio n policie s unde r th e AD A doe s no t requir e an y leadtim e for

implementation . 39.2 1 Wha t

i s th e genera l nondiscriminatio n requiremen t o f thi s Part ? Th e provision s o f

thi s sectio n ar e paralle l t o th e genera l nondiscriminatio n requirement s i n th e Department' s othe r disability-relate drules . W e cal l attentio n particularl y t o paragrap h (b) , whic h woul drequir e reasonabl e modificatio n o f PVOs ' otherwis e acceptabl e genera l policie s wher e doin g s o i s necessar y t o accommodat e th e need s o f aparticular

individua l o r

categor y o f individual s wit

h adisability . Suc h modificatio n i s require dunles s i t woul db e undul y burdensom e o r

requir e afundamental alteratio n i n th e natur e o f th e PVO' s services , facilities , etc . Th e final rul e modifie s th e NPRM' s languag e t o reflec t distinction s betwee n th e reasonabl e modificatio n obligation s o f publi c an dprivat e entities , consisten t with DO J rule s o n th e subject . A few commenter s state dthat th e languag e relatin g t o "reasonabl e modifications " wa s no t congruen t

wit h othe r Departmenta l AD A rulemaking s an dthat th e requiremen t

t o mak e reasonabl e modification s exceed s th e Department' s authority unde r th e ADA . "Reasonabl e modifications " i s acentra l ide ao f disability law , occurrin g in man y application s o f sectio n 50 4 o f th e Rehabilitatio n Act . A similar provisio n wa s adopte din arulemakin g concernin g th e Ai r Carrie r Acces s Act , an dit

ha s cause dn o problem s o f whic h w e ar e aware . Departmen t o f Justic e (DOJ ) AD A rule s hav e lon g include dth e concept . Whil e th e Department' s surfac e transportatio n AD A rul e (4 9 CFRPart 37 ) doe s no t

presently includ e thi s language , th e Department , i n apendin g rulemakin g concernin g Part 37 , ha s propose dt o ad dit . Th e Departmen t

believe s it

i s appropriat e fo

r aPV O t o modif

y policie s s o that

accessibl e servic e i s actuall y mad e availabl e t o passengers , absen t a n undu e burde n o r

fundamental alteration .Commenter s wer e unabl e t o provid e any example s of ho w doin g s o woul db e inimica l t o passenge r vesse l operation s o r

safety . 39.2 3 Wha t

ar e th e requirement s concernin g contractor s t o owner s an doperator s o f passenge r

vessels ? A s note dabove , contractor s an dothe r person s who mth e PV O use s t o provid e service s t o passenger s "stan din th e shoes " o f th e PV O wit

h respec t t o th e requirement s o f

thi s rule . Th e PV O mus t

ensure , throug h provision s i n th e contract s o r othe r agreement s with suc h thir d parties , that

th e thir dpartie s compl y wit h applicabl e requirements . Commenter s wer e concerne dwith th e spee dat whic h contract s mus t

b e update dt o reflec t contractors ' dutie s o n behal f o f aPV O with respec t

t o th e ADA . Al l contract s mus t b e update d withi n on e year

fro mth e effectiv e dat e o f thi s rul e o r

th e contrac t

anniversary date , whicheve r on e comes sooner . Th e Departmen t believe s thi s amoun t

o f tim e i s sufficien t

for compliance . Anothe r commente r

suggeste dexcludin g contractor s outsid e o f th e U.S . fro mth e requirement s of

th e rule . Thi s final rul e doe s no t appl y t o contractor s wh o wor k with PVO s outside o f th e U.S . However , PVO s ar e encourage dt o voluntaril y contrac t for complianc e wit

h th e AD A t o th e maximu mdegre e tha t foreign/internationa l law s wil l allow . In referenc e t o paragrap h (b) , th e sam e commente r suggeste dthat

th e requiremen t

t o includ e "assuranc e o f

compliance " languag e i n contract s shoul dno t b e applie dt o contract s betwee n cruis e line s an dthei r U.S.-base dcontractors . Th e commente r expresse dthat

modifyin g contract s t o ad dthi s require dlanguag e woul dcaus e an "undu e burden " o n cruis e line s an dwoul d b e unnecessary du e t o existin g AD A requirement s applicabl e t o U.S.-base dcontractors . Ther e i s n o showin g i n an y o f

th e comment s that

th e tas k o f makin g suc h amodificatio n t o th e contrac twoul db e asignifican t barrie r a t all , le t alon e a n "undu e burden. " If

, a s th e commente r

suggests , th e contractor s ar e alread y i n complianc e wit

h AD A obligations , th e burde n o n the mwoul db e negligible . Anothe r commente r

questione dwhethe r

paragrap h (b ) implicitl y require s th e creatio n o f awritte n contrac t

wher e th e PV O an dcontractor hav e bee n operatin g withou t suc h acontract . Ther e i s n o mandat e fo

r awritte n contract , thoug h goo dbusines s practice s ofte n involv e writte n contracts . However , th e absenc e o f awritte n contrac t

doe s no t excus e noncomplianc e b y aPV O resultin g fro mth e actio n o f athir dpart y actin g o n it s behalf.Th e Departmen t doe s no t nee dt o receiv e copie s o f

writte n agreement s betwee n aPV O an dacontractor . 39.2 5 Ma y PVO s refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f apassenge r

vesse l o n th e basi s o f disability ? Th e Departmen t

view s an y polic y o r

actio n prohibitin g aperso n with adisability fro m bein g transporte do n o r

otherwis e usin g apassenge r vesse l a s discriminator y o n it s face . I f a PV O say s t o aperson , literall y o r i n effect , "yo u ar e aperso n wit h adisability ; therefor e sta y of f my vessel, " th e PV O woul dviolat e thi s rule . Th e Departmen t

recognize s that

som e disabilities ma

y mak e othe r

passenger s uncomfortable . Tha t

i s no t ajustifiabl e reaso n t o den y acces s t o th e vesse l t o person s with thes e disabilities (se e paragrap h (b)) . Onl y i f ther e i s agenuin e safet

y issue , meetin g th e stringen t criteri aoutline di n sectio n 39.27 , woul dth e PV O b e justifie di n excludin g aperso n becaus e th e perso n ha s adisability . Eve n i n that case , th e PV O woul dhav e t o provid e awritte n o r emai l explanatio n t o th e perso n withi n 1 0 day s o f th e denia l (paragrap h (c)) .2 0

Tw o commenter s indicate dtha t histori c vessel s may no t

b e abl e t o mee t

th e requirement s o f thi s section . Anothe r

commente r

inquire da s t o whethe r

th e sectio n allow s th e PV O t o den y a "wheelchair-bound " passenge r acces s t o asecon ddec k

wher e th e dec k

i s onl y accessibl e b y stairs , o r fromgoin g t o afirs t

dec k dinin g spac e whe n ther e i s n o remainin g accessibl e spac e in th e dinin g room . Th e Departmen t recognize s that , particularl y for vessel s buil t

before th e adoptio n o f

physica l accessibilit y standards , som e vessel s wil l no t enabl e som e person s with certai n disabilitie s t o trave l o n o r t o obtai n som e service s aboar dth e vessels . Fo r example , an olde r vesse l might

no t hav e an y overnigh t

cabin s o f asiz e tha t

coul daccommodat e aperso n usin g apowe r

wheelchair , o r

migh t hav e adinin g are atha t

i s o n adec k

that can b e accesse donl y b y usin g steps . Th e Departmen t woul dnot , in suc h asituation , regar daPVO' s statemen t t o a passenge r abou t existin g physica l barrier s a s equivalen t t o apolic y denyin g transportatio n o n o r us e o f th e vesse l o n th e basi s o f disability . Anothe r commente r

suggeste dusin g a"stric t scrutiny " standar dfor

determinin g whethe r avessel' s explanatio n for denyin g acces s i s reasonable . Th e "stric t scrutiny " legal standar di s use dfor assessin g constitutiona l law issues , an di t i s not suitabl e for

thi s situation . Man y o f th e comment s regardin g thi s sectio n ultimatel y addresse dvesse l constructio n an dth e difficult

y involve di n handlin g numerou s passenger s with mobilit y aids . Thi s rulemakin g impose s n o duty o n PVO s t o mak e alteration s t o thei r vessel s t o accommodat e disable dpassengers , beyon dexistin g AD A requirement s for Titl e I I (progra maccessibility ) o r Title II I (readil y achievabl e barrie r removal ) entities . A s wa s pointe dou t

b y commenter s i n th e publi c meeting , passenge r vessel s operat e a custome r servic e oriente dbusines s that necessitate s accommodatin g passenge r request s wheneve r possible . However , thi s rul e doe s no t cal l o n PVO s t o d o th e physicall y impossible .2 1

Fo r instance , suppos e avesse l ha s entries/corridor s tha t are 3 0 inche s wid e an dapassenge r use s amobility ai dtha

t i s 3 6 inche s wide . Th e passenge r i s no t abl e t o b e physicall y accommodate d throug h thos e corridor s usin g thi s devic e an dth e PV O woul dno t b e i n violatio n o f

thi s rule . (O f course , i f th e passenge r

chos e t o us e a

n alternativ e mobility devic e that coul dfit th e space , th e passenge r woul dhav e t o b e provide dacces s usin g th e alternativ e device. )

Sectio n 39.2 7 Ca n aPV O tak e actio n t o den y transportatio n o r restric t service s t o a passenge r

wit h adisabilit y base do n safet y concerns ? Thi s sectio n state s that

aPV O ca n den y transportatio n o r restric t service s t o aperso n with adisabilit y whe n necessitate db y legitimat e safet y requirements . Legitimat e safet y requirement s canno t b e base do n mer e speculation , stereotypes , o r generalization s abou t

individual s with disabilities . The y can b e basedonl y o n actual , demonstrabl e safet y risks . Th e rul e woul dals o permi t aPV O t o den y o r

restric t transportatio n o f

apassenge r

with adisabilit y i n th e even t tha t th e passenge r

pose dadirec t

threa t t o others . Whil e ther e i s n o recordkeepin g requiremen t in th e rule , aPV O tha

t claim s legitimat e safety requirement s a s th e basi s for an y restrictio n o n a passenge r with adisability shoul db e prepare dt o justif y th e actual safet

y basi s for

it s restriction . Thi s woul db e a

n importan t

issu e in th e revie w o f

acomplain t

b y th e cognizan t

Federa l agency . 39.2 9 Ma y PVO s limi t

th e number s o f

passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n apassenge r vessel ? Th e Departmen t

view s an y polic y limitin g th e numbe r of passenger s with adisabilit y o n avesse l a s discriminator y o n it s face . However , th e cruis e industry an dsevera l PVO s commente dthat

limitin g th e numbe r

o f passenger s with mobility aid s might b e necessary base d o n what avesse l can accommodat e eithe r physicall y o r

wit h curren t staf f levels . Th e Departmen t2 2

understand s thes e comment s bu t believe s i

t i s necessary to differentiat e betwee n disable d individual s wit

h mobility impairment s a s oppose dt o person s with othe r disabilities suc h a s hearin g o r

visio n impairments . PVO s d o no t hav e an y nee dt o limi t

th e numbe r

o f disable d individual s withou t

amobility impairment . However , th e Departmen t doe s recogniz e that

vesse l weigh t

an dstability requirement s ma y necessaril y limi t

th e numbe r

o f disable dpassenger s requirin g wheelchair s o r othe r powere d mobility device s that

can safel y b e physicall y accommodate do n boar da t an y on e time . Fo r example , i

f ther e ar e alread y tw o individual s o n boar dth e vesse l usin g powe r whee l chairs , an d accommodatin g athir dsuc h individua l woul dcreat e weigh t o r stabilit y issue s that

woul d threate n th e safet

y o f th e vesse l an dpersons aboar dit , th e Captai n coul dden y transportatio n t o th e thirdindividua l o n th e basi s o f alegitimat e safet

y requirement . Th e Departmen t anticipate s that thi s issu e woul daris e onl y o n relativel y smal l vessel s (e.g. , asmal l wate r taxi) , no t o n large r vessel s (e.g. , acruis e ship , th e State n Islan dferry) . Th e Departmen t

als o recognize s that , o n som e smalle r vessels , th e physica l limitation s o f th e vesse l may impos e limit s o n th e numbe r o f wheelchair s o r

othe r mobility device s tha t

can physicall y fit . Thi s provisio n i s no t intende dt o require , for

example , that

1 0 wheelchair s mus t b e accommodate do n avesse l wher e ther e i s physica l spac e for onl y four . 39.3 1 Ma y PVO s limi t

acces s t o transportatio n o n o r us e o f avesse l o n th e basi s tha t a passenge r

ha s acommunicabl e disease ? 39.3 3 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o provid e amedica l certificate ? Thes e relate dprovision s (i.e. , section s 39.3 1 an d39.33 ) ar e intende dt o limi t PVOs ' discretio n to impos e requirement s o r restriction s o n passenger s o n medica l grounds . Mos t2 3

disabilitie s ar e no t

medica l conditions : aperso n i s no t il l becaus e h e o r

sh e canno t

see , hear , o r walk , an dapplyin g amedica l mode l t o man y disabilities i s inappropriate . O n th e othe r hand , peopl e wit

h som e communicabl e disease s may hav e adisabilit y a s th e resul t o f thei r diseas e an d can pos e health threat s t o other s o n boar dth e vessel . Wit h respec t t o communicabl e diseases , th e PV O canno t den y o r restric t transportatio n o n o r us e o f apassenge r

vesse l o n th e basi s that

th e passenge r

ha s acommunicabl e disease , unles s th e PV O act s (1 ) o n th e basi s of adeterminatio n b y apubli c health authority o r (2 ) th e PV O i s abl e t o mak e atwo-pronge ddetermination . On e pron g i s th e severity o f th e health consequence s o f

adisease ; th e othe r

i s whethe r

th e diseas e can readil y b e communicate db y casua l contact . Onl y if

adiseas e ha s both sever e consequence s t o th e health o f othe r persons an d i s readil y communicable b y casua l contac t coul daPV O legitimatel y den y o r restric t transportation . Fo r example , HIV/AID S ha s sever e health consequences , bu t i s no t readil y communicable b y casua l contact . Th e commo n col di s readil y communicable b y casua l contac t bu t doe s no t hav e sever e health consequences . Consequently , havin g acol do r AID S woul dnot b e abasi s o n whic h aPV O coul dlimi t aperson' s transportatio n o n o r us e o f avessel . Probabl y th e bes t recen t exampl e o f

adiseas e that

meet s both criteri ai s Sever e Acut e Respirator y Syndrom e (SARS) , an dareadil y human-to-huma n transmissibl e fl u pandemi c wit

h sever e effect s o n person s contractin g th e diseas e o r an outbreak

o f noroviru s woul dals o qualify . I t shoul db e note dtha t

ther e coul db e som e circumstance s i n whic h th e tw o criteri a mentione di n thi s sectio n coul dinteract . Fo r example , apubli c health authority coul dissu e a n aler t o r recommendatio n concernin g th e trave l b y peopl e wit h aparticular

disease , bu t

not mak e adeterminatio n that

suc h persons coul dnot

trave l at all . In thes e circumstances , aPV O coul d2 4

stil l restric t

trave l b y persons wit

h th e diseas e i

f i t me t bot h th e casua l contac t

transmissio n an d sever e health consequence s prong s o f th e regulatory tes t

i n thi s section . I t i s importan t

that , i n addressin g communicable diseas e issues , PVO s ac t i n a nondiscriminatory way . Policie s for excludin g passenger s o n th e basi s o f communicabl e diseas e o r illnes s mus t

no t b e exercise dt o exclud e disable dpassenger s disproportionately . Fo r example , i f onl y deaf individual s wit

h noroviru s ar e denie dboarding , whil e hearing passenger s with th e sam e conditio n ar e allowe dt o board , ther e woul db e aviolatio n o f thi s rule . I n an y cas e i n whic h amedica l certificat e may b e require do r alimitatio n o n a passenger' s trave l b e impose dbecaus e o f acommunicable disease , th e limitatio n woul dhav e t o b e th e minimu mneede dt o dea l wit h th e medica l issu e involved . Fo r example , th e PV O woul d no t b e authorize dt o den y transportatio n t o a n individua l i f ales s drasti c alternative , suc h a s th e passenger' s us e of

medica l measure s that

woul dreduc e th e likelihoo do f th e transmissio n o f

a n illness , i s available . I f aPV O refuse s transportatio n t o apassenge r with adisabilit y o n ground s relate dt o a communicabl e diseas e o r othe r medica l condition , th e PV O mus t permi t th e passenge r

t o trave l o r us e th e vesse l (o r

acomparabl e vesse l for

acomparabl e trip ) at

alate r availabl e dat e withi n on e year a t th e sam e pric e a s th e origina l tri p or , a t th e passenger' s discretion , provid e arefund . I f ther e i s not

a n availabl e dat e fo r

th e passenge r

t o b e rebooke dwithi n on e year , arefun dwoul d hav e t o b e provided . Sectio n 39,3 1 woul dprohibi t aPV O fromrequirin g amedica l certificat e i n an y situatio n othe r tha n th e communicable diseas e situatio n discusse din sectio n 39.31 . Thi s represent s a chang e fro mth e NPRM , i n whic h th e Departmen t propose dt o permi t

medica l certificate s i n circumstance s suc h a s th e us e o f persona l oxyge n supplie s o r adeterminatio n b y vesse l personne l2 5

that a n individua l coul dno t

trave l successfull y withou t requirin g extraordinar y medica l assistance . Th e Departmen t believe s that , in th e passenge r vesse l contex t

(a s distinc t

fro mairlin e service , o n whic h thes e proposal s wer e modeled) , th e risk s that thes e proposal s wer e intende dt o addres s ar e muc h les s probable , an dtha t imposin g medica l certificat e requirement s o n passenger s ar e consequentl y not justified . Two commenter s objecte dt o allowin g th e PV O t o requir e medica l certificatio n fro ma disable dindividua l unde r any circumstance . Othe r commenter s wer e i n favo r o f requirin g medica l documentatio n unde r al l circumstances . Anothe r commente r

suggeste dallowin g PVO s t o restric t th e numbe r

o f passenger s with disabilities that ar e a t avery hig h ris k

o f requirin g emergenc y and/o r

extensiv e medica l car e durin g th e cours e o f th e voyage . A s note dabove , th e Departmen t

believe s that

provision s o f

thi s kin dar e unnecessary an dcoul dlea dt o unfai r exclusion s o r

restriction s for

passengers . W e therefor e di dno t includ e suc h provision s i n th e fina l rule . 39.3 5 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e tha t h e o r sh e i s travelin g o n o r

usin g apassenge r

vesse l whe n n o specia l privilege s o r service s ar e sought ? 39.3 7 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e i n orde r t o obtai n particula r

auxiliar y aid s an dservice s o r t o arrang e grou p travel ? Thes e relate dsection s (i.e. , section s 39.3 5 an d39.37 ) mak e clear that it i s neve r appropriat e fo r

aPV O t o requir e aperso n t o provid e advanc e notic e simpl y that h e o r sh e i s plannin g t o travel , jus t

becaus e h e o r

sh e ha s adisability . Th e PVO' s nondiscriminator y policie s an dpractice s shoul db e i n place , regardless . O n th e othe r hand , ther e may b e specifi c2 6

circumstance s in whic h provisio n o f advanc e notic e i s needed . Thes e includ e t o group s o f 1 0 o r mor e passenger s wit

h disabilities travelin g togethe r an dth e provisio n o f

aparticular

auxiliary ai d o r servic e (e.g. , asig n languag e interpreter) . Numerou s comment s wer e receive do n thes e provisions . Th e mai n thrus t o f thes e comment s was that PVO s nee dt o kno w what sort o f disabilitie s thei r

passenger s hav e in orde r t o adequatel y pla n t o accommodat e the mfro mboth a safet y perspectiv e an dt o provid e the mth e bes t experienc e possible . Th e Departmen t i s sympatheti c t o thi s positio n an dseek s t o try t o balanc e th e righ t o f privac y o f

th e passenger s wit

h th e nee do f

PVO s t o pla n t o accommodat e an dprovid e service s t o passengers . Passenger s with a disabilit y ar e no t

require dt o identif

y themselve s a s disable dwhe n the y ar e seekin g n o specia l privilege s o r

service s o r

auxiliary aid s o r

services . PVO s can legitimatel y sugges t that passenger s with disabilities voluntaril y self-disclos e need s for specia l privilege s o r

services , an d i t may b e pruden t

for passenger s t o d o s o i n order t o avoi dconfusion . However , wit

h respec t t o group s o f

passenger s wit

h disabilities travelin g together , a passenge r may b e require dt o identif y that nee dt o th e PV O a

t th e tim e o f

reservation . Likewise , apassenge r

seekin g aparticular

auxiliary ai do r

servic e may b e require dt o provid e advanc e notice . PVOs ' reservatio n an dinformatio n system s mus t ensur e that

whe n passenger s provid e thi s notice , th e informatio n i s transmitte dclearl y an do n tim e t o persons wh o nee dt o provid e th e service s involved , PVO s shoul dconside r solicitin g informatio n regardin g th e nee dfor specia l assistanc e fro mal l persons makin g areservation . Sectio n 39.3 9 Ho w d o PVO s ensur e tha t passenger s with disabilitie s ar e abl e t o us e accessibl e cabins ?2 7

Th e Departmen t

anticipate s that

th e forthcomin g Acces s Boar dguideline s wil l addres s th e scopin g an ddimension s o f accessibl e cabin s o n ne w o r altere dvessels . Whil e thi s rul e consequentl y doe s no t

requir e vessel s with overnigh t accommodation s t o hav e accessibl e cabins , w e recogniz e that

cabin s identifie db y PVO s a s accessibl e d o exis t o n som e vessels . Thi s sectio n concern s ho w PVO s woul dmak e sure that passenger s with disabilitie s actuall y ar e abl e t o ge t thos e accessibl e cabins . Th e Departmen t recognize s that

non-disable dpassengers , understandin g that accessibl e cabin s ar e somewhat mor e room y than othe r

cabin s i n th e sam e clas s of service , may sometime s see k

t o reserv e thos e cabins , makin g the munavailabl e t o passenger s wit h disabilities . Th e NPR M propose dasyste mi n whic h apassenge r requestin g a

n accessibl e cabi n woul d b e required , a

t th e PVO' s request , t o presen t documentatio n o f

th e physica l conditio n that necessitate s us e o f

a n accessibl e cabins , a

t whic h poin t

thei r reservation s woul dtrum p eve n earlie r reservation s for

a n accessibl e cabi n mad e b y non-disable dpassengers , thoug h n o passenger s woul deve r

b e "bumped " fro mth e voyag e a s aresult . Som e commenter s objecte dt o havin g t o provid e medica l documentation . Other s sai dthat passenger s wit

h disabilities shoul d b e abl e t o boo k

a n accessibl e cabi n u p t o th e da y o f sailing , whil e othe r

commenter s state dthat reservation s for

accessibl e cabin s shoul db e mad e withi n ase t tim e fram e (i.e. , 7 2 hours ) befor e departure . I n respons e t o comments , th e Departmen t i s deletin g th e propose drequiremen t that passenger s provid e documentatio n o f thei r disabilit y an drevisin g th e reservatio n requirements . Instead , th e fina

l rul e include s what

w e believ e i s asimple r

system , i n whic h accessibl e cabin s mus t b e withhel dfro mreservatio n unti l al l cabin s in that clas s o f servic e hav e bee n reserved . I f apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y request s aremainin g accessibl e cabin , the n th e passenge r wit h a2 8

disabilit y get s tha

t cabin . However , onc e al l th e other , non-accessibl e cabin s hav e bee n booked , th e PV O may , i

f it chooses , boo k

th e cabin s for

non-disable dpassengers . Whil e th e fina

l rul e doe s no t

requir e o r

permi t medica l documentatio n for person s reservin g accessibl e cabin s becaus e the y hav e adisability , PVO s hav e t o as k person s seekin g t o reserv e suc h acabi n whethe r the y hav e adisability tha t require s us e o f

th e accessibilit y facilitie s provide di n th e cabin . In addition , PVO s ma y requir e awritte n attestatio n fro mth e passenge r that he r o r sh e need s th e accessibl e feature s provide din th e cabin . Thes e provision s are modele d o n a n approac h that

i s sometime s use dconcernin g reservin g accessibl e seatin g sport s stadiums . PVO s mus t

als o investigat e th e potentia l misus e o f accessibl e cabin s an dca n tak e actio n agains t abuser s (e.g. , aPV O may den y transportatio n t o anon-disable dindividua l wh o book s a n accessibl e cabi n o n th e basi s o f amisrepresentatio n tha

t th e individua l ha s adisability) . Th e Departmen t

recognize s that

som e existin g vessel s may no t hav e accessibl e cabin s in al l classe s o f

service . PVOs , however , canno t properl y impos e cost s o n disable dpassenger s becaus e vessel s lac k

accessibl e cabin s i n som e classe s o f service. I

f apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y want s t o trave l i n ales s costl y clas s o f service , rathe r

than amor e expensiv e class , bu t th e PV O ha s chose n t o mak e adequat e number s o f accessibl e cabin s availabl e onl y i n mor e othe r expensiv e classe s of

service , th e PV O mus t

make accessibl e cabin s availabl e t o passenger s wit h disabilitie s at

n o mor e than th e cos t

o f th e clas s o f

servic e th e passenge r

requests . Unde r

a nondiscriminatio n rule , disable dpassengers , like al l othe r passengers , shoul db e abl e t o purchas e accommodation s the y ca n us e a t apric e the y ar e willin g t o pay . §39.4 1 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o trave l wit h anothe r person ?2 9

Th e Departmen t

regard s requirin g apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o trave l with anothe r person , jus t

becaus e that

perso n ha s adisability , a s discriminator y o n it s face . Suc h a requiremen t

i s no t onl y a n affron t t o th e independenc e an ddignit y o f th e passenger , bu t

may sometime s make trave l cost-prohibitive . In th e NPRM , th e Departmen t propose dallowin g PVO s t o requir e apersona l o r

safet y assistan t

i n som e circumstances . Thi s proposa l wa s base do n a paralle l sectio n of

th e ACA A rule . However , i n th e specifi c situatio n o f passenge r

vesse l transportatio n (whic h differ s fro mai r trave l i n anumbe r

o f importan t

respects) , th e Departmen t believe s tha

t allowin g PVO s t o requir e an assistan t coul dlea dt o abuse , an di s no t likel y t o b e necessar y i n an y event . Th e rul e clearl y state s tha t cre w member s ar e not

require dt o assis t passenger s with persona l function s lik e eating , dressing , o r toileting . Passenger s wh o nee d assistanc e wit

h thes e function s wil l therefor e b e awar e tha t the y canno t

expec t cre w member s t o performthes e function s and , consequently , wil l choos e t o trave l with acompanio n if the y nee d to . Vesse l personne l ar e likewis e traine dt o performsafet y function s for

al l passengers . On e commente r

aske di f th e PV O i s allowe dt o requir e apersona l caretake r for eac h disable dperso n wher e agrou p o f passenger s with adisabilit y inten dt o brin g onl y on e caretake r for th e group . Give n that

th e rul e doe s not

permi t requirement s t o trave l with a n attendan t

a t all , th e PV O coul dnot

impos e suc h arequirement . Anothe r commente r

state dtha t

thi s provisio n o f th e rul e place s al l responsibility for car e o n th e PV O regardles s o f th e credibilit y o f

th e passenger' s clai mo f

independence . Again , vesse l personne l d o no t hav e persona l car e obligation s with respec t

t o passenger s with disabilities . W e d o no t believ e that

apassenge r

with adisabilit y wh o canno t

ea t withou t assistanc e i s likel y t o embark o n alength y voyag e withou t someon e t o hel p wit

h eating .3 0

39.4 3 Ma y PVO s impos e specia l charge s o n passenger s wit h adisabilit y fo r providin g service s require db y thi s rule ? Pric e discriminatio n i s forbidden . PVO s may no t charg e highe r

fare s t o passenger s wit

h disabilitie s tha n t o othe r

passengers . PVO s canno t impos e surcharge s o n passenger s with disabilities , o r

any sort of extr ao r special charge s for

facilities , equipment , accommodations , o r service s tha t

mus t b e provide dt o passenger s becaus e the y hav e adisability . Thi s prohibitio n woul dappl y not

onl y t o formal charge s mad e b y th e PV O itself , but t o informal charge s tha t PV O personne l migh t

see k t o impos e o r

pressur e passenger s with adisabilit y t o pay . Fo r example , i

f avesse l canno t

b e boarde db y awheelchai r use r withou t assistanc e (e.g. , becaus e th e boardin g ram p slop e i s to o steep) , it woul dno t

b e appropriat e for

vesse l personne l wh o provid e boardin g assistanc e t o ask , pressure , o r impl y that

th e wheelchai r

users shoul dprovid e ati p for th e assistance . On e o f th e importan t

implication s o f

th e prohibitio n o n pric e discriminatio n concern s situations i n whic h an accommodatio n fo r aperso n with adisabilit y i s availabl e onl y i n amor e expensiv e typ e o r

clas s o f servic e tha n th e passenge r requests . Th e mos t

importan t

applicatio n o f thi s principl e concern s reservation s for accessibl e cabins , whic h ar e governe db y sectio n 39.39 . However , th e sam e principl e woul dappl y t o othe r service s o r

accommodation s o n boar dsom e ship s a s well . Th e onl y commen t regardin g thi s sectio n state dthat passenger s requirin g an accessibl e cabi n shoul db e provide dth e sam e pricin g option s availabl e t o passenger s wh o d o no t requir e an accessibl e cabin . Thi s sectio n a s writte n ensure s thi s t o b e th e case . 39.4 5 Ma y PVO s impos e restriction s o n passenger s wit h adisabilit y tha t the y d o no t impos e o n othe r

passengers ?3 1

39.4 7 Ma y PVO s requir e passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o sig n waiver s o r releases ? Thes e relate dsection s (i.e. , section s 39.4 5 an d39.47 ) woul dforbi drestriction s o n passenger s with adisability that ar e no t impose do n othe r

passengers , includin g requirement s t o sig n waiver s o r

release s eithe r

for themselve s o r

thei r assistiv e devices . Th e kind s o f restriction s thes e section s addres s ai"e restriction s create db y PV O policy . Th e Departmen t i s awar e that , particularl y pendin g th e adoptio n of passenge r

vesse l physica l accessibilit y standards , portion s o f existin g vessel s may wel l b e inaccessibl e t o som e passenger s with adisability . Inaccessibility o f thi s kin dwoul dno t

violat e thes e sections , but a n administrativ e rul e declarin g certai n portion s o f avesse l of

f limit s t o apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y would , i

f that rul e di dno t

appl y equall y t o al l passengers . Likewise , waiver s o f liability o r

release s no t

require do f

al l passenger s canno t

b e require do f

passenger s wit

h adisabilit y (including , bu t no t limite dto , waiver s o r

release s concernin g mobility devices) . 39.5 1 Wha t

i s th e genera l requiremen t fo r PVOs ' provisio n o f

auxiliar y aid s an dservice s t o passengers ? Thi s sectio n require s PVO s t o effectivel y communicat e with passenger s with disabilities , throug h th e us e o f

auxiliary aid s o r

service s wher e needed . Thi s obligatio n include s effectivel y conveyin g infonnatio n s o that both th e passenge r

an dth e PV O can b e understoo dan dunderstan d what i s bein g communicated . Th e languag e o f th e fina l rul e distinguishe s betwee n th e somewha t differen t obligation s o f

publi c an dprivat e entitie s with regar dt o th e provisio n o f auxiliary aid s an dservices , an dstate s th e fundamental alteratio n an dundu e burde n exceptio n t o thes e requirements . PVOs , no t individual s with disabilities , hav e th e responsibilit y t o provid e neede d auxiliar y aid s an dservices .3 2

"Undu e burden " i s on e o f th e fundamenta l concept s i n disabilit y law , applyin g i n a variety of contexts . Th e basi c definitio n o f what constitute s a

n undu e burde n i s state din th e Departmen t

o f Justic e Title II I rule , 2 8 CFR36.104 , a s bein g somethin g that involve s significan t difficult y o r expense . I n determinin g whethe r an actio n woul dresul t

in a n undu e burden , th e factor s that

th e DO J definitio n lists , adapte dt o th e passenge r vesse l context , includ e (1 ) Th e natur e an dcos t

o f th e actio n neede dt o compl y with Part 3 9 requirements ; (2 ) Th e overal l financial resource s o f th e PV O involved , th e numbe r o f person s employe d b y th e PVO ; th e effec t

o n expense s an dresources ; legitimat e safet y requirement s that

ar e necessary for

saf e operatio n o f

th e vessel ; o r

th e impac t

otherwis e o f

th e actio n upo n th e operatio n o f

vessel ; (3 ) Th e geographi c separateness , an dth e administrativ e o r fiscal relationshi p o f

PV O i n questio n t o an y paren t

corporatio n o r

entity ; (4 ) I f applicable , th e overal l financial resource s o f an y paren t

corporatio n o r

entity ; th e overal l siz e o f

th e paren t

corporatio n o r

entit y with respec t

t o th e numbe r

o f it s employees ; th e number , type , an dlocatio n o f it s facilities ; an d (5 ) I f applicable , th e typ e o f

operatio n o r

operation s o f

an y paren t

corporatio n o r

entity , includin g th e composition , structure , an dfunction s o f th e workforc e o f

th e paren t corporatio n o r

entity .3 3

DO J provide s further

informatio n abou t

it s applicatio n o f

th e concep t

in th e preambl e to it s Titl e 11 1 regulatio n (discussio n o f 2 8 CFR36.303(f) , se e www.ada.gov/reg3a.html) . I t mus t b e emphasize dthat

becaus e somethin g create s som e degre e o f cos t an ddifficulty , i t i s not necessaril y a

n undu e burden . Ther e ar e "du e burdens, " cost s an ddifficultie s tha t mus t b e born e i n orde r

t o affor dnondiscriminator y servic e t o individual s wit h disabilities . A s th e factor s i n th e DO J definitio n indicate , what may b e a n undu e burde n for

asmal l entit y (e.g. , becaus e it woul d"break

th e bank " for

tha t entity , makin g profitabl e operatio n impossible ) may b e a"du e burden " that

woul db e "smal l change " t o alarge r entity . Requirin g a

n extensiv e an d ver y expensiv e servic e t o mee t aminor , transitor y nee dmigh t b e undu e becaus e it

i s disproportionate . "Undu e burden " determination s inevitabl y involv e th e exercis e o f informe d judgmen t abou t th e fact s o f

agive n situation , bu t

th e ba r i s intende dt o b e high : th e concep t i s no t intende dt o provid e afre e pas s t o entitie s t o avoi dnondiscriminatio n obligations . It shoul d b e emphasized , i n th e contex t o f auxiliary aid s an dservices , that eve n i f on e particular

auxiliary ai do f servic e create s a

n undu e burden , th e PV O retain s a n obligatio n t o provid e effectiv e communicatio n throug h us e o f anothe r auxiliary ai do r

servic e that

i s no t undul y burdensome . On e commente r

sai dthat , i n orde r

for aPV O t o effectivel y communicat e wit h individual s with hearin g an dvisual impairments , th e PV O shoul dinstal l advance dtechnolog y fo r videophone s an dinstan t

messagin g o n it s vessel . Th e Departmen t believe s it

woul db e premature , a s wel l a s outside th e scop e o f th e notic e for

thi s rulemaking , t o requir e aparticular technolog y o r

vesse l communicatio n syste mat thi s time , bu t

thi s i s a n issu e that

coul db e addresse da s part

o f th e future accessibilit y standar drulemaking .3 4

39.5 3 Wha t

informatio n mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisability ? Th e Departmen t

recognize s that

som e existin g vessel s ma y no t b e abl e t o b e mad e accessibl e t o peopl e wit

h mobilit y impairment s an dthat som e port s (e.g. , som e foreig n port s a t whic h acruis e shi p calls ) may not b e usabl e b y person s wit h som e disabilities . Thi s sectio n require s PVO s t o infor

mpeopl e with disabilities , accuratel y an di n detail, abou t what the y can expect . Suc h informatio n includes : (1 ) an y limitation s o f th e usability o f

th e vesse l o r

portion s o f th e vesse l b y peopl e wit

h mobilit y impairments ; (2 ) an y limitation s o n th e accessibility o f boardin g an ddisembarkin g a t port s a t whic h th e vesse l wil l cal l (e.g. , becaus e o f th e us e o f inaccessibl e lighter s o r

tender s a s th e means o f

comin g t o o r

fro mth e vessel) ; (3 ) an y limitation s o n th e accessibility o f

service s o r

tour s ancillary t o th e transportatio n provide db y th e vesse l concernin g whic h th e PV O makes arrangement s availabl e t o passengers ; (4 ) limitation s o n th e ability of passenger s t o tak e aservic e anima l of f th e vesse l a

t aforeig n por

t (e.g. , becaus e o f quarantin e regulations) ; an d(5 ) th e particular auxiliary aid s o r

service s availabl e t o passenger s with hearing o r

visio n impairment s fo

r eac h o f th e variou s on-boar dactivitie s an dservice s tha t requir e advanc e notic e i n orde r t o b e mad e available . With thi s information , potentia l passenger s with adisability can mak e a n informe dchoic e abou t

whethe r seekin g transportatio n o n a particular vesse l i s wort

h thei r while . On e commente r

suggeste dthat

providin g informatio n abou t boardin g an ddisembarkin g onl y t o thos e passenger s that self-identif

y a s havin g adisabilit y may caus e confusio n an dba d feeling s amon g thos e passenger s with disabilitie s that di dno t self-identify . Moreover , th e commente r

recommende dmakin g suc h informatio n availabl e i n al l promotiona l material s includin g pre-boardin g information , website , advertisements , th e Dail y Program , an din al l3 5

brochures . Th e Departmen t believe s that

ther e i s meri t

i n providin g suc h informatio n generall y to al l passengers . However , i f aPV O provide s thi s informatio n t o peopl e wh o as k for i t i n orde r t o accommodat e adisability , that i s sufficient

t o mee t th e PVO' s obligatio n unde r th e rule . 39.5 5 Mus t

informatio n an dreservatio n service s o f PVO s b e accessibl e t o individual s wit h hearin g o r

visio n impairments ? Thi s sectio n applie s t o informatio n an dreservatio n service s mad e availabl e t o consumer s in th e Unite dStates , regardles s o f th e nationalit y o f

aPV O o r

wher e th e personne l o r

equipmen t providin g th e service s ar e themselve s based . I f aPV O provide s telephon e reservatio n o r informatio n servic e t o th e public , th e PV O mus t mak e thi s servic e availabl e t o individual s wh o ar e deaf o r hard-of-hearin g throug h us e o f atex t telephon e (TTY ) o r

aTT Y rela y servic e (TRS) . In respons e t o comment s receive do n thi s section , th e Departmen t wil l no t requir e eac h PV O t o hav e acces s t o atex t

telephone , s o lon g a s the y ca n receiv e call s throug h atex t telephon e rela y service . On e commente r

state dthat

thi s provisio n shoul dinclud e awe b accessibility requiremen t followin g th e Worl dWid e We b Consortiu mstandards . Th e Departmen t i s awar e that

we b accessibility i s a

n importan t

issu e for peopl e with disabilities , an dw e wil l addres s thi s subjec t further durin g th e nex t

phas e o f passenge r

vesse l rulemaking . Anothe r commente r

recommende dtha t

individual s suc h a s trave l agent s an dboa t cre w wh o interac t

wit h consumer s shoul dreceiv e trainin g o n what disabilit y acces s i s available . In referenc e t o trave l agents , th e Departmen t believe s thi s i s outside th e scop e o f thi s rulemaking . A s fo r employees , comment s fro mPVO s asserte dthat crew s ar e alread y traine dt o accommodat e3 6

passenger s wit

h disabilities . Th e Departmen t ma y further conside r trainin g requirement s for crew s durin g th e developmen t o f th e nex t phas e of th e passenge r

vesse l rulemaking . 39.5 7 Mus t

PVO s mak e copie s o f

thi s rul e availabl e t o passengers ? PVO s mus t

maintai n acurren t

cop y o f th e tex t o f thi s rul e o n eac h vesse l an di n every termina l whic h the y serve . Th e cop y may b e apape r cop y o r adigita l cop y s o lon g a s it can b e easil y reference db y PV O employee s an db y passenger s upo n thei r request . Commenter s supporte dthi s sectio n a s written . Privat e secto r PVO s wh o d o no t

receiv e Federa l financial assistanc e ar e no t

require dt o mak e acop y o f th e rul e availabl e i n language s othe r than English . However , an y PVO s tha t

d o receiv e Federa l financial assistanc e shoul db e awar e of thei r obligation s concernin g persons wit h lowe r Englis h proficienc y unde r Title V I o f

th e Civi l Right s Ac t o f 1964 , a s amended , an dapplicabl e Executiv e Order s an dregulations . A s part o f aPVO' s obligatio n t o communicat e effectively , aPV O mus t mak e copie s availabl e i n accessibl e fomat s o n request , subjec t

t o th e fundamenta l alteratio n provision s o f sectio n 39.5 1 (c) . I

f provisio n o f th e informatio n i s no t

feasibl e i n on e accessibl e format , becaus e i t woul dinvolv e afundamenta l alteration , the n anothe r

accessibl e format

woul dhav e t o b e mad e available . 39.6 1 Wha t

requirement s mus t

PVO s mee t

concernin g th e accessibilit y o f terminal s an d othe r landsid e facilities ? Thi s sectio n applie s t o landsid e facilitie s tha t th e PV O owns , leases , o r control s i n th e U.S . I t require s complianc e wit

h th e sam e AD A obligation s a s appl y t o othe r type s o f transportatio n facilitie s unde r 4 9 CF RPart

37 .3 7

I f th e PV O doe s no t

own , lease , o r

contro l afacility , the n th e requirement s o f thi s sectio n d o no t appl y t o it

(ther e ma

y wel l b e situation s i n whic h apubli c entity o r anothe r privat e entit y woul dow n o r

contro l th e facility , i n whic h cas e th e othe r entity woul dhav e it s ow n AD A and/o r sectio n 50 4 obligations) . In th e cas e o f aforeig n facility , wher e AD A o r sectio n 50 4 rule s woul dno t appl y in thei r

ow n right , facility accessibility woul dthe n becom e amatte r o f th e la w of th e country i n whic h th e facility i s located . Commenter s recommende dtha t thi s sectio n shoul db e applie dt o facilitie s bot h insid e an doutsid e o f

th e VS . However , a s note di n th e discussio n o f

th e definitio n o f

"facility, " th e Departmen t can appl y thi s regulatio n onl y t o facilitie s locate di n th e U.S , sinc e th e AD A doe s no t appl y t o landsid e facilitie s i n foreig n territory . Th e rul e make s afamilia

r three-part

breakdow n o f

accessibilit y responsibilitie s fo r covere dfacilities , similar t o that foun di n DOT' s existin g AD A regulation s (se e 4 9 CF RPart 37 , subpart C) . Ne w facilitie s mus t mee t accessibility standard s fro mth e beginning . In th e cas e o f a n alteration , th e altere dportio n o f th e existin g facility ha s t o b e brough t u p t o di e sam e accessibility standard s applicabl e t o ne w facilities . Fo r existin g facilitie s no t

otherwis e bein g altered , th e PV O ha s t o ensur e tha t th e facility i s abl e t o b e use db y apassenge r with adisabilit y t o acces s th e PVO' s vessel . Thi s coul db e achieve dthroug h avariet y o f means . A s unde r

othe r application s o f

th e ADA , requirement s for publi c secto r

entitie s unde r

Title I I an dprivat e secto r entitie s unde r

Titl e II I differ

somewhat

with respec t

t o existin g facilitie s (i.e. , progra m accessibilit y vs . readil y achievabl e barrie r removal) . Thes e difference s ar e state di n paragrap h (c ) o f thi s section . W e not e that

ther e may b e man y situation s i n whic h aPV O share s accessibilit y responsibilitie s wit

h anothe r party . Fo r

example , aPV O may leas e aportio n o f aport facility3 8

tha t i s owne db y aprivat e o r

publi c entity . Th e PV O ha s responsibilitie s unde r thi s Part ; th e othe r entity ma

y hav e responsibilitie s i n it s ow n righ t unde r Title II o r

II I o r th e AD A an dunde r sectio n 504 . In thes e cases , it woul db e u p t o th e partie s involve dt o allocat e th e responsibilitie s amon g themselves , s o that the y jointl y ensur e that

accessibility requirement s ar e me t for th e facility . Wher e th e PV O doe s no t own , lease , o r

contro l afacility , th e PV O ha s n o responsibilit y fo r makin g accessibilit y change s unde r thi s rule . On e commente r

recommende dtha t

facilitie s use db y smal l vessel s shoul db e exemp t fro mthi s section . Th e Departmen t agai n find s n o basi s for

limitin g th e applicability o f thi s provisio n base do n vesse l size . A landsid e facilit y operate db y asmal l vesse l PV O ha s n o different statu s fro mon e operate db y alarg e PV O for AD A o r sectio n 50 4 purposes . 39.6 3 Wha t

modification s an dauxiliar y aid s an dservice s ar e require da t terminal s an d othe r landsid e facilitie s fo r

individual s wit h hearin g o r visio n impairments ? Thi s sectio n specifie s tha t effectiv e communicatio n that ha s t o b e provide dat

terminal s an dothe r landsid e facilitie s t o ensur e that person s with sensory impairment s wil l b e abl e t o reques t an dreceiv e th e informatio n otherwis e availabl e t o th e public , concernin g suc h subject s a s ticketing , fares , an dschedules . A few commenter s sai dthat PVO s shoul dnot

hav e t o mak e change s t o facilitie s that

th e PV O doe s not

ow n o r operate . Again , wher e th e PV O doe s no t own , lease , o r contro l afacility , th e PV O ha s n o responsibilit y for makin g accessibilit y change s t o th e facilit y unde r thi s rule . Moreover , effectiv e communicatio n can b e achieve dthroug h means , lik e auxiliary aid s an dservices , that woul dnot

requir e modification s t o facilitie s wher e aPV O i s not abl e t o make change s t o th e facility .3 9

Th e Departmen t

propose daone-year

phase-i n for

bot h existin g an dne w facilitie s in orde r t o allo w PVO s t o explor e an dimplemen t th e bes t communication s option s for thei r customer s an dbusines s operations . On e commente r expresse dthat

ther e shoul dno t

b e aphase-i n perio dfor thi s provisio n an dthat

it shoul dbecom e effectiv e immediatel y du e t o curren t technolog y an dexistin g AD A requirements . Th e Departmen t agrees , an di n thi s fina

l rule , make s thi s provisio n effectiv e whe n th e rul e goe s int o effect . Subpar t E - Accessibilit y o f

Vessels Thi s subpart

i s reserved . It

i s aplace-holde r

for th e subsequen t

inclusio n o f

passenge r vesse l physica l accessibilit y standard s base do n future Acces s Boar dguidelines . W e emphasiz e that thi s rul e doe s no t

creat e standard s for

th e desig n an dconstructio n o f vessel s an ddoe s no t impos e requirement s t o alte r existin g vessel s fo

r th e purpos e o f

accessibility . PVO s remai n obligated , o f

course , t o mee t

existin g AD A requirement s for readil y achievabl e barrie r remova l (Titl e III ) o r

progra maccessibilit y (Titl e II) . 39.8 1 Wha t

assistanc e mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y i n gettin g t o an d fro mapassenge r

vessel ? Thi s sectio n doe s no t

dea l with boardin g avessel , a s such . Rather , it deal s with ho w peopl e ge t

t o th e poin t

o f boardin g avessel , in term s o f lan dtransfer s (e.g. , abu s betwee n th e airpor t an dth e terminal ) an di n actuall y movin g throug h th e termina l an dboardin g proces s u p t o th e poin t o f gettin g ont o th e vessel , wher e th e PV O o r acontracto r

t o th e PV O provide s thei r services . PVO s ar e responsibl e for makin g sur e that

thes e service s ar e accessibl e t o peopl e with disabilities . Representative s o f th e cruis e lin e industry commente dthat requirin g cruis e line s t o4 0

ensur e th e accessibility o f service s provide db y third-party independen t contractors , suc h a s transportatio n t o o r

fro mth e cruis e ship , woul db e unreasonabl e an dadenia l o f du e process . Thi s rul e doe s no t

impos e suc h a

n obligatio n i

f th e PV O an dth e servic e provider , suc h a s atax i company , hav e n o contractua l relationship . Thi s provisio n wil l not hav e extraterritoria l applicatio n an dwil l appl y onl y with respec t t o terminal s locate di n th e U.S . 39.8 3 Wha t

ar e PVOs ' obligation s fo r assistin g passenger s wit h adisabilit y i n gettin g o n an dof f apassenge r

vessel ? Th e optima l solutio n for

boardin g avesse l involve s apassenge r with adisabilit y bein g abl e t o boar dindependentl y (e.g. , vi aalevel-entry ramp) . Th e Departmen t realize s tha t

ther e wil l b e man y situation s wher e thi s optima l solutio n doe s no t exist . In thes e situations , th e PV O i s responsibl e for

providin g assistanc e that enable s apassenge r

with adisabilit y t o ge t

o n o r of f th e vessel . A s note dabove , thi s rul e doe s no t requir e vesse l personne l t o d o th e physicall y impossibl e wit

h respec t t o providin g boardin g assistance . On e commente r aske dho w aPV O i s t o decid e betwee n apassenge r wh o i s "no t

abl e t o ge t

o n o r of f apassenge r

vesse l withou t assistance " an don e wh o can "readil y ge t o n o r of f apassenge r

vesse l withou t

assistance. " In suc h asituatio n th e PV O shoul das k th e passenge r

whethe r he/sh e want s o r

need s assistance . W e not e that

anumbe r

o f comment s represente dthat thes e service s ar e alread y bein g provide di n man y instances , s o w e believ e it i s fair t o sugges t

that thi s requiremen t

woul dno t creat e significan t

adde dburden s for

PVOs . W e als o not e that thi s provisio n pertain s t o norma l boardin g an ddisembarkatio n fro mavessel . Obviously , in th e cas e o f an "abando n ship " o r

othe r emergenc y situation , cre w shoul dus e an y mean s necessary t o ensur e that al l passenger s can safel y evacuate .4 1

Th e Departmen t

appreciate s th e comment s receive dregardin g accessibl e boardin g system s an dwil l us e the mt o infor mafuture rulemakin g i n thi s are awhe n th e Acces s Boar dha s provide dappropriat e standard s o n whic h aregulatio n can b e based . 39.8 5 Wha t

service s mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n boar da passenge r

vessel ? 39.8 7 Wha t

service s ar e PVO s no t

require dt o provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n boar dapassenge r

vessel ? Thes e section s (i.e. , section s 39.8 5 an d39.87 ) concern service s that PVO s mus t

provid e or , alternatively , d o not

nee dt o provid e t o passenger s with adisability . Th e service s aPV O mus t provid e includ e movemen t abou t th e vessel , bu t

onl y wit h respec t t o portion s o f

th e vesse l that ar e no t accessibl e t o passenger s with adisabilit y actin g independently . T o th e exten t that a PV O make s accessibilit y improvement s t o avessel , th e PV O can probabl y reduc e it s obligatio n t o provid e thi s service. Whe n foo di s provide dt o passengers , PV O personne l mus t hel p passenger s with adisabilit y t o alimite ddegree , includin g openin g package s an didentifyin g food , o r explainin g choices . Assistanc e i n actua l eatin g o r othe r persona l function s (e.g. , toiletin g o r

provisio n o f

medica l equipmen t

o r supplie s o r

assistiv e devices , beyon dwhat i s provide dt o al l passengers ) i s not required . Effectiv e communicatio n o f al l on-boar dinformatio n i s required . Severa l commenter s expresse dtha t PVO s shoul db e require dt o provid e close d captionin g o n televisions , interpreter s aboardth e vesse l (i n theatre s o r othe r "public " room s aboar dth e vessel) , an dwheelchair s fo r us e b y passengers . In thi s rulemaking , th e Departmen t i s no t mandatin g th e us e o f

an y specifi c mean s o f

communication , thoug h televisions , i f provide d4 2

fo r passengers , mus t

hav e close dcaptioning . Otherwise, PVOs ' obligatio n i s t o provid e effectiv e communication , throug h th e us e of auxiliary aid s an dservice s a s appropriat e for Title I I o r

11 1 entities , a s th e cas e may be . A s for wheelchair s o r

othe r assistive devices , th e Departmen t believe s thi s i s th e responsibilit y o f th e passenge r

an dno t th e PVO , excep t

t o th e exten t

tha t th e PV O woul dnee dawheele dmobility assistive devic e t o provid e boardin g assistanc e to a n individua l wh o doe s no t

normall y us e suc h adevic e but coul dno t

boardth e vesse l withou t on e (e.g. , asemi-ambulator y perso n wh o ca n wal k o n aleve l surfac e bu t

woul dhav e difficult

y with a stee p boardin g ramp) . On e commente r

als o expresse dthat

sig n languag e interpreter s shoul db e provide do n vessel s travelin g inside an doutside o f th e U.S . Us e o f

sig n languag e interpreter s i s on e typ e o f auxiliary aid s an dservices , whic h may b e provide dsubjec t t o th e fundamenta l alteratio n provision s o f

sectio n 39.51(c) . 39.8 9 Wha t

requirement s appl y t o on-boar dsafet y brieHngs , information , an ddrills ? Thi s sectio n specifie s tha t safety-relate dinformatio n mus t b e communicate deffectivel y t o passenger s wit

h disabilities . Thi s woul dinclud e th e us e o f auxiliar y aid s an dservices , wher e needed . Safety video s woul dhav e t o b e captione do r hav e a n interprete r

inset , in orde r

t o mak e th e informatio n availabl e t o persons with impaire dhearing . Providin g safety informatio n i n thi s way i s ake y componen t

o f effectiv e communicatio n o f thi s materia l t o individual s wh o ar e dea f o r wh o hav e hearin g impairments . Passenger s with disabilities mus t b e enable dt o participat e i n evacuatio n an dothe r

safet y drills , an dinformatio n abou t evacuatio n an dsafety procedure s woul d hav e t o b e kep t

i n location s that

passenger s with disabilitie s can acces s an duse . Severa l4 3

commenter s supporte drequirin g PVO s t o utiliz e flashin g light s t o warn passenger s with hearing disabilitie s o f

emergencies . Thi s issu e wil l b e addresse db y th e Acces s Board . 39.9 1 Mus t

PVO s permi t

passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o trave l wit h servic e animals ? Man y person s wit

h disabilities rel y o n servic e animal s t o trave l an dconduc t dail y functions . Thi s sectio n specifie s that PVO s woul db e require dt o permi t servic e animal s t o accompan y apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y o n boar davessel . Foreig n countrie s may limi t entry of servic e animals . Thi s shoul dno t affec t th e carriag e o f servic e animal s o n th e vessel , however , sinc e ther e i s n o requiremen t that th e animal leav e th e ship . Limitation s o n th e abilit y o f suc h a n animal t o leav e th e shi p a t aforeig n por

t woul db e include di n th e informatio n that acruis e shi p woul dprovid e t o potentia l customer s inquirin g abou t a n upcomin g cruise . Consisten t with foreig n port

requirements , th e PV O coul dinsis t tha t th e anima l no t

disembark

at aport wher e doin g s o i s not

permitted . Th e use r

coul dleav e th e vesse l eve n i

f th e anima l ha dt o remai n o n board , however . PVO s an downer s woul dhav e t o work togethe r t o ensur e that

th e animal wa s properl y care dfor i n th e owner' s absenc e (e.g. , i n th e cas e o f

alength y excursio n away fro mth e vessel) . Severa l commenter s sai dthat PVO s shoul dpermi t

passenger s with disabilitie s t o brin g thei r ow n foo dan dsupplie s fo r servic e animal s withou t

an y charg e an dprovid e refrigerator s for prope r storag e o f

suc h food . PV O commenter s sai dthat PVO s shoul dno t

b e require dt o provid e foo dfor th e animal , statin g that

ther e shoul db e n o charge s for passenger s usin g thei r

ow n anima l foo dan dthat

mos t cruis e line s currentl y follo w thi s practice . Unde r th e final rule , PVO s wil l no t b e require dt o provid e foo dfor servic e animals , but

passenger s may brin g areasonabl e quantity o f thei r ow n foo daboar dth e vesse l a t n o additiona l charge . PVO s mus t provid e refrigeratio n4 4

spac e fo r th e animal food . Thi s requiremen t applie s onl y t o cruis e ship s o r othe r vessel s providin g overnigh t

accommodations. Ther e i s n o nee dfor refrigeratio n o n short-voyag e ferrie s o r wate r taxis . W e vie w alimitatio n o n th e numbe r o f servic e animal s that

can b e brough t

o n agive n voyag e a s tantamoun t

t o anumbe r

limi t o n passenger s with adisabilit y (i.e. , a s anumbe r limit) , whic h thi s rul e prohibits . I t i s no t eviden t that havin g anumbe r

o f suc h animal s o n boar dashi p a t agive n tim e woul db e disruptiv e t o shi p operations , an dvagu e concern s abou t advers e effect s o n th e quality o f

th e cruis e experienc e fo

r othe r passenger s d o not

trump th e nondiscriminatio n imperativ e o f

th e ADA . Whil e thi s rul e doe s no t

requir e it , th e Departmen t believe s that

it i s agoo dide at o permi t no t onl y servic e animals , pe r se , bu t als o emotiona l support

animal s (ESA ) t o accompan y passenger s wit

h disabilitie s wh o us e them . Thi s can b e beneficia l t o individual s wh o genuinel y nee dth e assistanc e o f

suc h a n animal t o enjo y full y trave l an dservice s aboar davessel . W e refer PVO s an dpassenger s with disabilitie s t o applicabl e provision s o f th e Department' s Ai r

Carrie r Acces s Ac t

regulation s an dappendice s (1 4 CFRPart 382 ) for suggestion s o n ho w an di n what circumstance s it

i s appropriat e t o accommodat e peopl e usin g ESAs . Commenter s raise dquestion s abou t animal relie f

area s aboar dth e vessel . Sinc e thi s goe s th e desig n o r

constructio n o f

physica l feature s o f

th e avessel , i t

i s bette r addresse di n th e nex t rulemakin g phas e concernin g accessibility standards . 39.9 3 Wha t

wheelchair s an dothe r

assistiv e device s ma y passenger s wit h adisabilit y brin g ont o apassenge r

vessel ? 39.9 5 Ma y PVO s limi t

thei r liabilit y fo r

th e los s o f

o r damag e t o wheelchair s an dothe r4 5

assistiv e devices ? Thes e section s (i.e. , section s 39.9 3 an d39.95 ) sa y simpl y that passenger s shoul db e permitte dt o brin g an dus e thei r ow n wheelchair s an dothe r assistiv e device s o n boar davessel . Th e cruis e lin e industry state dthat i t doe s no t support th e us e o f

mobilit y device s that

ar e two wheele dan dallo w a

n individua l t o "ride " th e device . Anothe r commente r

expresse dthat

th e reference s t o mobility aid s an dothe r assistive device s d o no t

conformt o th e curren t

standar d foun di n 4 9 CFRPar

t 37 . Th e Departmen t

i s currentl y reviewin g an dmay revis e it s Part 3 7 treatmen t o f mobility aids . Wit h respec t t o mobility aids , th e fina l rul e i s modele do n a

n approac h supporte db y th e Departmen t

o f Justice . Tha t

is , manual an dpowe r

wheelchair s an dothe r

manua l mobility aid s mus t b e accommodate din an y are aope n t o pedestria n use . Thi s requiremen t i s intende dt o b e implemente dconsisten t

wit h othe r provision s o f

th e rul e (e.g. , concernin g existin g facilit y accessibility , weigh t

an dbalanc e concerns) , whic h may in occasiona l situation s limi t th e ability especiall y o f

large r powe r wheelchair s t o b e accommodated . Wit h respec t t o othe r powere dmobilit y device s (e.g. , two-wheele ddevices , suc h a s Segways , designe do r

adapte dfor

us e b y aperso n with adisabilit y t o accommodat e that disability) , PVO s woul db e require dt o mak e reasonabl e modification s i n policies , practices , o r procedure s t o allo w suc h device s t o b e use db y individual s wit h mobilit y disabilities , unles s doin g s o woul db e inconsisten t with legitimat e safet

y requirements . Th e Departmen t expect s that , i n mos t

cases , suc h device s woul db e permitte dt o b e used . Th e Departmen t

strongl y emphasize s that an y suc h safety requirement s canno t b e pretextura l an dmus t

b e base do n actual , demonstrable , risk s an dno t o n no t mer e speculation , stereotypes , o r

generalization s eithe r

abou t peopl e wit

h disabilities o r

thei r mobility devices .4 6

Whil e th e rul e doe s no t

includ e arecordkeepin g requiremen t concernin g suc h safet

y requirements , aPV O subjec t t o acomplain t

abou t arbitraril y excludin g amobility devic e woul d doubtles s b e aske dt o documen t th e factual justificatio n fo r an y polic y limitin g passengers ' devices . Thes e requirement s appl y t o PVO s covere db y both Titl e I I an dTitl e II I o f th e ADA . I

n addition , Titl e II (i.e. , publi c sector ) entitie s woul dhav e t o minimiz e an y restriction s place do n us e of othe r powere dmobilit y device s an dprovid e awritte n explanatio n t o th e user , o n request , o f an y exclusio n o r

restrictio n of

hi s o r he r device . Thi s latte r

provisio n i s foun din th e Title I I enforcemen t

provisio n of

thi s regulatio n (sectio n 36.109) . Onc e adevic e i s o n board , i f th e PV O i s responsibl e for it s los s o r

damage , th e PV O mus t compensat e th e owner , a

t th e leve l of

th e origina l purchas e pric e o f th e device . On e commente r state dthat th e appropriat e cos t

for th e los s o f

damage dassistiv e device s shoul db e th e curren t replacemen t

cos t for th e devic e rathe r

than th e origina l purchas e price . Th e Departmen t i s utilizin g th e origina l purchas e price . Thi s i s th e measur e o f th e leve l o f

compensatio n foun d withi n th e Department' s ACA A rule , an dw e believ e it wil l mos t

appropriatel y compensat e th e owne r for th e los s o f

o r damag e t o th e device . 39.10 1 Wha t

ar e th e requirement s fo r providin g Complaint s Resolutio n Officials ? §39.10 3 Wha t

action s d o CRO s tak e o n complaints ? Th e Complaint s Resolutio n Official (CRO ) i s th e PVO' s exper t i n disability matters , knowledgeabl e abou t

both th e Department' s regulation s an dth e PVO' s procedures , an di s abl e t o assis t passenger s wit

h disabilitie s an dothe r

PV O persorme l i n resolvin g issues . Th e CR O mode l shoul dadap t

ver y wel l t o passenge r

vessels , t o solv e problem s a t th e PV O leve l before the y4 7

becom e matter s fo

r complaint s t o th e DO T o r DOJ . A commente r

expresse dthat

i t may b e impractica l an dfinanciall y burdensom e t o hav e a CR O onboar deac h vessel . Th e Departmen t doe s not mandat e that

CR O dutie s necessaril y b e full-tim e fo

r agive n employee , an dCR O function s can b e performe da s collatera l dutie s o f existin g personnel . PVO s could , fo r example , us e anumbe r

o f different vesse l an dlandsid e personne l a s CROs , wh o might perfor mthes e function s i n additio n t o thei r othe r duties . W e expec t that PVO s wil l hav e varyin g degree s o f formality i n thei r

CR O programs ; however , n o matte r whethe r i n afacility o r

o n avessel , al l employee s shoul db e abl e t o direc t apassenge r

t o th e CRO . PVO s ar e likel y t o fin dit necessar y t o ensur e that

no t onl y CROs , bu t

als o othe r personne l wh o interac t

wit h passengers , ar e sufficientl y knowledgeabl e regardin g th e requirement s o f

thes e rule s an dproficien t i n performin g task s relate dt o passenger s with disabilities . (PV O commenter s asserte dthat thei r personne l ar e alread y traine dt o dea l properl y with customers , includin g passenger s with disabilities. ) I f the y ar e not , it

i s likel y that

mistake s wil l b e mad e that

woul dpotentiall y lea dt o noncompliance . Som e commenter s recommende d th e adoptio n o f

trainin g standard s o r

requirement s i n thi s rule . However , th e Departmen t i s no t institutin g an y formal trainin g requiremen t a t thi s tim e an dwil l leav e it t o PVO s t o decid e ho w bes t t o prepar e thei r

CROs , alon g wit

h th e remainde r

o f thei r entir e staff

, t o mee t th e responsibilitie s that

PVO s hav e unde r

thi s Part . If

, ove r time , th e Departmen t

become s awar e o f implementatio n o r

complianc e difficultie s tha t appear t o ste mfro malac k

o f training , th e Departmen t

can revisi t

thi s issue . On e commente r

expresse dthat

certifyin g th e trainin g o r draftin g atrainin g curriculu m woul db e difficul t

an dunnecessary . Thi s rul e doe s no t institut e acertificatio n requirement .4 8

Anothe r commente r

expresse dthat

informatio n abou t

CRO s shoul db e poste do n th e PVO' s websit e s o tha

t passenger s hav e acces s t o th e information . W e agre e that source s of

variou s information , includin g websites , shoul dinclud e informatio n o n th e functio n o f CRO s an dho w t o contac t them , bu t

w e ar e not

requirin g thi s a s part

o f thi s rule . 39.10 5 Ho w mus t

PVO s respon dt o writte n complaints ? 39.10 7 Wher e ma y passenger s obtai n assistanc e wit h matter s covere db y thi s regulation ? Th e require dresponse s t o complaint s unde r thi s sectio n b y th e PV O may b e i n eithe r writte n o r emai l form . A t

thi s time , th e Departmen t i s no t institutin g areportin g requiremen t for complaint s receive db y PVO s regardin g violation s o f thi s rule . Upo n analysi s o f operation s unde r thi s rule , th e Departmen t may propos e areportin g requiremen t at alate r date . I t shoul db e note dtha t thes e section s concern th e interactio n betwee n PVO s an dpassengers ; thes e ar e no t procedure s for

Federa l agenc y response s t o complaint s mad e t o DO T o r DOJ . Fo r

example , DO J doe s no t follo w thes e procedure s whe n it receive s acomplain t

concernin g aTitl e II I PVO . On e commente r

suggeste dthat

deadline s b e pu t

int o plac e t o ensur e tha t

complaint s d o no t languis h an dthat

atimel y resolutio n i s received . Th e commente r als o suggeste dthat

ther e shoul db e an outsid e organizatio n for aggrieve dpassenger s t o tak e complaint s t o i f the y ar e not satisfie dwith th e CR O resolution . In s o fa r a s deadline s ar e concerned , thes e sections , a s written , provid e deadline s for filin g an drespondin g t o complaints . In referenc e t o appeal s o f a PVO' s decision , th e complainan t ha s th e ability t o pursu e DO T o r DO J enforcemen t

action , for Title II o r Title II I entities , respectively . Th e PV O mus t notif y th e complainan t

o f thi s right . 39.10 9 Wha t

enforcemen t

action s ma y b e take n unde r thi s Part ?4 9

On e importan t

differenc e betwee n th e ACA A an dth e AD A i s that , unde r th e former , th e Departmen t

ha s it s ow n civi l penalty enforcemen t authority an dprocedures . Th e Departmen t doe s no t hav e it s ow n civi l penalty authorit y unde r Title s I I an dII I o f

th e ADA , thoug h th e Departmen t

can conduc t

investigation s an dcomplianc e reviews , collec t data , findfacts , com e t o conclusions , an drefer

matter s t o th e Departmen t o f Justic e for

further actio n unde r

sectio n 50 4 an dTitl e II . Th e Departmenta l Offic e o f Civi l Right s (DOCR ) wil l b e th e centra l poin t for receivin g suc h complaints . DO J ha s th e jurisdictio n t o conduc t investigation s an dtak e enforcemen t

actio n unde r

Titl e III , whic h can lea dt o th e impositio n o f damage s an dcivi l penalties . Som e PVO s receiv e Federa l financial assistance , suc h a s ferr y operator s wh o receiv e Federa l Transi t

Administratio n (FTA ) funding . Complaint s concernin g violation s o f thi s Part b y F T A-assiste dferr

y operator s coul db e mad e t o th e FT A unde r th e Department' s AD A an d sectio n 50 4 rules , an dFT A coul dtak e enforcemen t actio n a s provide di n thos e rules . N o comment s wer e receive do n thi s sectio n an dit i s adopte da s written . REQUES T FO RCOMMENTS : Thi s rul e i s afinal rul e with areques t for comment s limite dt o thre e issues . Al l provision s wil l g o int o effec t o n [insert

dat e 120 day s fro mdat e o f publicatio n i n th e Federa l Register ] With respec t t o th e thre e issue s o n whic h th e Departmen t i s seekin g further comment , th e Departmen t intends , befor e th e effectiv e dat e o f th e rule , t o publis h eithe r a n amende dfina

l rul e o r anotic e explainin g wh y n o further change s ar e bein g made . Th e firs t issu e concern s us e b y passenger s wit h disabilitie s o f

emotiona l support

animals . Unlik e servic e animals , emotiona l support animal s ar e no t

traine dt o perfor

mspecifi c physica l tasks , bu t b y thei r presenc e assis t

individual s with menta l health-relate ddisabilitie s i n copin g5 0

wit h th e effect s o f

thei r disabilities . Fo r

example , a

n emotiona l support

anima l may assis t

an individua l wit

h asever e anxiety disorde r in dealin g wit

h th e stresse s o f

travel . In th e absenc e o f thi s assistanc e fro mth e animal , th e individua l coul dfindtrave l very difficul t o r impossible . A s note di n th e preambl e discussio n o f sectio n 39.91 , thi s rul e doe s no t requir e PVO s t o provid e acces s t o emotiona l support animals . I

n anothe r disabilit y discriminatio n context , unde r th e Ai r Carrie r Acces s Act , th e Departmen t require s ai r

carrier s t o permi t

emotiona l support animal s t o trave l with thei r users . Th e Departmen t

seek s commen t

o n whethe r

PVO s shoul db e require dt o allo w acces s for individual s wit

h disabilitie s an dthei r

emotiona l support

animals . I

f PVO s ar e require dt o d o so , what , i f any , safeguard s agains t

abus e (e.g. , passenger s attemptin g t o pas s of f thei r pet s a s emotional support animals ) shoul db e included ? Th e servic e anima l provision s a s currentl y writte n i n thi s rul e ar e consisten t with DOJ' s propose drule s amendin g Titl e II an dTitl e III . Shoul dDO T rule s b e identica l t o DO J rule s i n thi s with respec t

t o emotiona l support

animal s (i.e. , suc h that

th e us e o f

emotiona l support

animal s i s treate dth e sam e way o n passenge r vessel s a s it

i s i n othe r

publi c accommodation s covere db y DO J rules , lik e a s parks , restaurants , dorms , lodging , hospitals , etc.) ? Alternatively , shoul d DO T hav e discretio n t o hav e differen t provision s specifi c t o vessels ? Th e secon dissu e concern s th e treatmen t o f mobility aids . Sectio n 39.9 3 divide s mobilit y device s int o tw o categories : wheelchair s an dothe r power-drive n mobility devices . Wheelchair s hav e aspecifi c definitio n i n sectio n 39.3 , includin g "thre e o r four-wheele ddevices , usabl e indoors , designe dfor

an duse db y individual s wit h mobility impairments , whethe r operate d manuall y o r

powered. " Unde r

sectio n 39.93 , PVO s mus t permi t wheelchair s t o b e use di n an y are aope n t o pedestria n use , though , a s note di n th e preambl e discussio n of sectio n 39.25 , ther e coul db e circumstance s in whic h aparticular wheelchai r

doe s no t fit aparticular

space .5 1

PVO s can limi t

th e us e of

othe r power-drive n mobility aid s b y applyin g aserie s of factor s se t

fort h i n paragrap h 39.9 3 (b) . Th e applicatio n o f thes e factor s coul dgiv e PVO s greate r discretio n t o permi t

o r refus e us e o f

device s that

di dno t mee t th e definitio n o f

"wheelchair, " (e.g. , device s that

otherwis e loo k

lik e traditiona l wheelchair s bu t hav e si x wheels , two-wheele d device s lik e Segways ) than the y hav e with respec t to wheelchairs . Th e Departmen t seek s commen t tw o set s o f

question s relate dt o th e handlin g o f mobility aids . First , shoul daPV O hav e t o demonstrat e (i.e. , bear aburde n o f

proof ) that i t ha s asoun d basi s for excludin g o r

restrictin g apassenger' s othe r power-drive n mobilit y aid ? Shoul dther e b e an y basi s othe r

tha n safety (i.e. , inconsistenc y wit h alegitimat e safet

y requirement ) for

a decisio n t o exclud e o r

limi t adevice ? Shoul dit

b e mad e clear

that adevice , eve n i

f not originall y designe dfor

us e b y individual s with disabilities , shoul db e accepte do n boar davesse l i f it i s adapte dfor

us e b y apassenge r

with adisability , agai n subjec t t o legitimat e safety requirements ? Second , shoul dth e entir e approac h t o mobility aid s b e rethought ? Fo r example , i t

may no t b e necessar y t o distinguis h betwee n categorie s o f mobility aid s at

all . On e commente r

t o th e NPR M suggeste dadoptin g th e term"wheele dmobility assistive device " b e use di n plac e o f othe r terms . I n thi s concept , i

f awheele dmobilit y assistiv e device , howeve r it i s designed , can b e accommodate do n boardavessel , consisten t wit h legitimat e safet

y requirements , i t

woul dhav e t o b e accepte db y th e PVO , regardles s o f whethe r i t wa s a"wheelchair, " pe r

se . Th e Departmen t seek s commen t

o n thi s approac h an do n whether , if adopted , it

shoul dinclud e an y categorica l exception s (e.g. , gasolin e engine-powere ddevices) . Fo r information , th e Departmen t refer s intereste dperson s t o th e Department' s Septembe r 200 5 interpretatio n o f

it s existin g AD A5 2

regulatio n (4 9 CFRPar

t 37 ) concernin g acceptanc e of mobility aid s [www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/ada/civil_rights_3893.html] . Similar t o th e emotiona l support animal issu e earlier , th e mobility ai dprovision s a s currentl y writte n i n thi s rul e ar e consisten t with DOJ' s propose drule s amendin g Titl e I I an dTitle III . Shoul dDO T rule s b e identica l t o DO J rule s i n thi s with respec t t o mobilit y aid s (i.e. , suc h that th e us e o f

mobilit y aid s i s treate dth e sam e way o n passenge r vessel s a s it

i s in othe r

publi c accommodation s covere db y DO J rules , lik e a s parks , restaurants , dorms , lodging , hospitals , etc.) ? Alternatively , shoul dDO T hav e discretio n t o hav e different provision s specifi c t o vessels ? Th e thir dissu e th e Departmen t seek s commen t

o n concern s th e overal l relationshi p betwee n DO J an dDO T AD A rules . DO J currentl y ha s draf t final rule s revisin g it s Titl e II an d Titl e II I DO T rule s unde r revie w b y th e Offic e o f

Managemen t

an dBudge t

(OMB) . It

i s possibl e that , a s par

t o f th e interagenc y revie w proces s le db y OMB , provision s i n th e DO J rule s (e.g. , concernin g th e definitio n o f auxiliary aid s an dservice s an dth e applicatio n o f that definition ) migh t

chang e in away that

creat e adifferenc e betwee n th e languag e o f Part 3 9 an d th e languag e o f

th e forthcomin g DO J rules . I n suc h asituation , shoul dDO T amen dPart 3 9 t o b e consisten t with th e ne w DO J language ? Th e purpos e o f doin g s o woul db e t o avoi dconfusio n o r an y burde n place do n peopl e with disabilities o r PVO s tha t

migh t aris e if differen t definition s o r substantiv e provision s o f

different rule s applie din th e specifi c contex t o f passenge r

vesse l operations , a s distinc t

fro mothe r

aspect s o f

publi c accommodation s o r publi c secto r

facilitie s an dactivitie s covere dby , DO J rules .5 3

REGULATOR Y ANALYSE S AN D NOTICE S Executiv e Orde r

1286 6 an dDO T Regulatory Policie s an dProcedure s Thi s i s asignifican t

rul e unde r

Executiv e Orde r

1286 6 an dDO T Regulatory Policie s an d Procedure s purposes . Thi s i s becaus e th e rul e addres s issue s o f considerabl e polic y interes t an d create s requirement s fo

r entitie s that

hav e no t previousl y bee n subjec t

t o regulation . However , th e rul e doe s no t

impose significan t

costs . Th e mai n thrus t

of th e rul e i s t o prohibi t

PVO s fro m takin g action s —suc h a s requirin g attendants , denyin g transportation , limitin g acces s fo r servic e animals , o r

imposin g specia l charge s - tha t creat e barrier s t o trave l b y person s with disabilities . Ther e i s little , if

any , cos t t o aPV O fromavoidin g takin g discrimmatory actions . Accordin g t o comment s receive da

t both th e ANPR M an dNPR M stages , man y PVO s alread y provid e boardin g assistanc e an dothe r service s t o passenger s wit h disabilities , s o i t

i s reasonabl e t o assum e that

th e passenge r

assistanc e provision s o f

thi s rul e wil l no t

hav e significan t

incrementa l costs . Thi s rul e doe s no t

impos e atrainin g requiremen t o r reportin g requirements . I n th e sectio n o f

th e preambl e respondin g t o th e Regulator y Flexibilit y Act , th e Departmen t

wil l discus s th e cos t

impacts , o r

lac k o f same , fro msom e specifi c section s o f th e rule . Som e commenter s di dexpres s concern abou t potentia l cost s o f

th e NPRM . Thes e comment s largel y wer e th e resul t o f commenter s mistakenl y believin g that th e NPR M propose d requirin g PVO s t o physicall y alte r vessels , especiall y smal l vessels . In fact , th e NPR M di dnot propose , an dth e fina

l rul e doe s no t

require , alteration s t o vessel s for th e purpos e o f

achievin g accessibility . Th e rul e take s vessel s a s the y ar e an dfocuse s o n th e policie s an dpractice s o f PVO s wit h respec t t o th e us e o f

th e vessel s b y passenger s wit h disabilities .5 4

In afuture rulemaking , th e Departmen t anticipate s proposing , i n conjunctio n v/it h th e Acces s Board , desig n an dconstructio n standard s for vessels . Thes e standard s wil l affec t ne w vessel s an dalteration s to existin g vessels . Thi s future rulemakin g i s expecte dt o involv e amor e detaile dregulator y evaluatio n wit h respec t t o th e cost s an dbenefit s of it s proposals . In th e passenge r

vesse l context , a s i n othe r areas , th e purpos e o f

th e AD A i s t o ensur e nondiscriminatio n o n th e basi s o f disability an daccessibilit y o f trave l o n vessel s for

peopl e wit

h disabilities . Consequently , th e mos t importan t

benefit s o f

thi s rul e ar e di e largel y non quantifiabl e benefit s o f

increase dacces s an dmobility for passenger s with disabilities . Policie s require db y thi s rul e wil l eliminat e mos t practice s o f

PVO s that

preven t o r inhibi t trave l b y person s wit

h disabilities . Th e benefit s that wil l accru e fro mremova l o f thes e barrier s canno t

b e quantified , bu t

coul dwel l includ e increase demployment , business , recreational , an deducationa l opportunitie s for

traveler s with disabilities , an dquality o f lif e enhancement s associate dwith trave l opportunitie s both withi n th e U.S . an dt o foreig n points . Man y person s with mobility impairment s wil l b e abl e t o us e passenge r vesse l service s for th e firs t time , an dtak e advantag e o f a n expande drang e o f

trave l opportunities . Eve n person s with disabilitie s wh o d o no t immediatel y choos e t o us e apassenge r vesse l wil l kno w that

barrier s t o suc h trave l hav e bee n removed , an dther e i s apsychologica l benefi t t o knowin g on e can trave l i f on e wishe s (wha t

economist s sometime s refer t o a s th e "optio n value " o f aregulator y provision) . Othe r beneficiarie s o f

thi s rul e includ e th e trave l companions , family , an dfriend s o f passenger s wit

h disabilities , sinc e person s with disabilitie s woul dhav e greate r an dmor e varie d trave l opportunities . In addition , t o th e exten t tha t change s i n PV O practic e mak e us e o f vessel s easie r for everyone , ther e wil l b e indirec t benefit s for

th e genera l travelin g public .5 5

Becaus e makin g passenge r vesse l transportatio n an dservice s mor e readil y availabl e t o passenger s wit

h disabilitie s an dother s travelin g wit h the mi s likel y t o increas e overal l usag e o f vessel s t o som e degree , i

t i s likel y that

ther e wil l b e som e economi c benefit s t o PVO s from complianc e wit

h th e rule , thoug h th e Departmen t doe s no t hav e informatio n allowin g u s t o quantif y thes e potentia l benefits . Regulatory Flexibilit y Ac t I n considerin g thi s rul e fro mth e poin t o f vie w o f th e Regulator y Flexibilit y Act , w e emphasiz e tw o mai n points . First , for th e reason s discusse dabove , w e believ e strongl y that th e overal l cost s o f

th e rul e t o any entitie s - larg e o r smal l - wil l b e very low . Th e rul e wil l no t creat e significan t

economi c impact s o n anyone . In particular , th e Departmen t her e repeat s what i t ha s sai dthroughou t

th e rulemaking : th e rul e doe s no t impose desig n an dconstructio n standard s that

wil l requir e vesse l operators , larg e o r small , t o alte r

thei r vessels . Second , compare dt o th e NPRM , th e numbe r o f smal l entitie s subjec t

t o th e rul e i s greatl y reduced . Th e fina

l rul e cover s onl y privat e entitie s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportm g people , eliminatin g fro mcoverag e privat e entitie s no t primaril y engage di n th e busines s of

transportin g people . Th e vas t majorit y o f smal l entitie s that

th e NPR M woul dhav e covere d(e.g. , fishin g charte r boats , sightseein g an ddinne r cruis e boats , div e boats ) are no t subjec t t o th e fina

l rule . Of th e privat e entitie s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g peopl e that

th e rul e doe s cover , mos t - suc h a s cruis e ship s an dpubli c ferr y system s - ar e no t smal l entities . Some , suc h a s smalle r ferr y or wate r tax i operations , ma

y b e smal l entities . Whil e th e numbe r

of smal l entitie s covere db y th e fina l rul e i s no t

ascertainabl e fro mth e recor d o f thi s rulemaking, th e Departmen t believe s that

i t i s highl y unlikel y t o b e substantial .5 6

Th e Smal l Busines s Administratio n (SBA ) Offic e of Advocac y commente do n th e NPRM . On e o

f th e primary SB A comment s concerne dSBA' s estimat e that aver y larg e numbe r of smal l businesse s woul db e covere db y th e rule . Give n th e chang e i n th e fina l rul e t o cove r onl y privat e entitie s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people , SBA' s estimat e - base dalmos t

entirel y o n privat e entitie s no t primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g peopl e - i s n o longe r

applicable . W e recogniz e that ther e coul dals o b e som e smal l publi c entitie s that

ar e covere db y th e rul e (e.g. , asmal l municipalit y that operate s aferr

y o r wate r tax i service) , thoug h th e recor do f th e rulemakin g doe s no t

provid e abasi s for

knowin g whethe r

thi s i s th e cas e o r

estimatin g ho w man y ther e may be . Becaus e th e cost s o f th e rul e t o any entitie s i s minimal , ther e woul dno t asignifican t

cos t t o thes e Title I I entities . SB A als o pointe dt o certai n section s o f th e rul e tha t

it though t coul dinvolv e costs . Wit h respec t t o sectio n 39.3 , SB A aske dtha t th e Departmen t

shoul dmak e clear

that ther e i s n o liability for

discriminatio n basedo n th e accessibility o f existin g vessels . A s state delsewhere , thi s rul e doe s no t

impos e any incrementa l obligatio n t o alte r existin g vessel s for

th e purpos e o f accessibility . PVOs , lik e othe r entities , remai n subjec t

t o th e existin g AD A requirement s t o provid e progra maccessibility (Titl e II ) o r t o ensur e readil y achievabl e barrie r remova l (Titl e 111). SB A als o suggeste dmakin g complianc e material s availabl e regardin g th e rule' s definitions , particularl y i

f ther e ar e conflictin g definition s betwee n DO J rule s an dth e Ai r Carrie r Acces s Act . Unde r

thi s o r an y rule , n o on e i s require dt o compl y with adefinition . Complianc e i s require donl y with substantiv e provision s o f arule . Th e final rul e ha s harmonize dDO T passenge r vesse l rul e provision s wit h DO J AD A rul e provisions . Wit h respec t t o sectio n 39.13 , SB A sai dth e smal l busines s communit y wa s confuse d abou t th e differenc e betwee n thi s rul e an dforthcomin g Acces s Boar dguidelines , an dthat th e5 7

effectiv e dat e o f

th e rul e shoul db e extende dsi x months . Th e distinctio n i s actuall y aver y clear an dsimpl e one : thi s ml e concern s th e policie s that PVO s appl y t o passenger s with disabilitie s o n thei r vessel s an ddoe s no t

creat e desig n o r

constructio n standard s for ne w o r altere dvessels . Th e forthcomin g Acces s Boar dguideline s wil l creat e desig n an dconstructio n standard s for ne w an daltere dlarge r

vessel s (e.g. , thos e with apassenge r capacit y o f

ove r 15 0 passenger s o r

ove r 4 9 space s for

overnigh t

accommodations) , bu t

wil l no t addres s th e kind s o f

polic y issue s that

th e curren t DO T rul e addresses . Th e Departmen t i s makin g thi s rul e effectiv e 120 day s fro mth e dat e o f publication , an dw e d o no t believ e alonge r

leadtim e i s neede dt o assis t th e relativel y few remainin g smal l PVO s covere db y th e rul e in understandin g thi s straightforwar dpoint . Throug h lon g experience , th e Departmen t ha s foun dit

mos t helpfu l t o issu e guidanc e (e.g. , question s an danswers ) afte r aregulatio n ha s gon e int o effect , whe n both w e an dth e regulate d partie s hav e ha dtim e t o determin e what implementatio n an dinterpretatio n question s o f genera l interes t ar e valuable t o address . Wid i respec t

t o section s 39.2 9 (39.2 7 i n th e NPRM ) an d39.93 , SB A asserte ddiat ther e wa s apaperwork

burden , arecordkeepin g requirement , an datrainin g burden . Sectio n 39.2 9 o f th e final rul e i n fac t

require s neithe r

paperwork , no r

recordkeeping , no r

training . I

t simpl y direct s vesse l operator s no t t o impos e numbe r

limits , excep t

wher e legitimat e safet

y requirement s (i.e. , with regar dt o weigh t an dbalance ) dictat e otherwise . In mos t instances , give n that th e final rul e focuse s o n large r vessels , thi s exceptio n i s unlikel y t o com e int o play . Sectio n 39.9 3 ha s bee n revise dfor greate r consistenc y wid i th e Departmen t o f Justice' s approac h t o mobilit y ai dissues , an dlikewis e doe s no t includ e recordkeepin g o r trainin g requirements . In on e categor y o f

case s - denia l o f

acces s to a

n "othe r powere dmobilit y device " b y apubli c entity , th e entit y woul dhav e t o provid e awritte n explanatio n o n th e passenger' s request . Give n that publi c5 8

entitie s covere db y th e ml e - mostl y larg e publi c ferr y system s - ar e no t

smal l entities , an dthat

it i s likel y ther e woul db e fe w instance s i n whic h mobilit y device s woul db e denie dpassage , an d fewer stil l i n whic h th e passenge r aske dfor awritte n explanation , th e Departmen t believe s that th e cos t an dburde n o f

thi s requiremen t

woul db e very minor . With respec t

t o th e advanc e notic e provision s o f th e rul e (39.33 an d39.3 5 i n th e NPRM , 39.3 5 an d39.3 7 o f

th e final rule) , SB A requeste dtha t th e Departmen t

respon dt o th e commen t that operator s o f

smal l vessel s shoul db e abl e t o requir e advanc e notic e fo r fewer than th e propose dgrou p o f

1 0 o r mor e disable dpassenger s travelin g together . A s note dabove , mos t o f th e vessel s t o whic h thi s commen t pertaine dar e not

covere db y th e fina

l rule . Moreover , comment s di dno t

sugges t apersuasiv e reaso n why , for example , agrou p o f

four o r si x wheelchai r

user s shoul db e burdene dwith a n advanc e notic e requiremen t simpl y becaus e th e siz e o f th e vesse l o r

siz e o f th e busines s operatin g th e vesse l i s smaller . Th e Departmen t believe s th e 10-perso n grou p provisio n i s sensible , an dit remain s i n th e fina

l rule . With respec t

t o sectio n 39.83 , concernin g assistanc e b y vesse l personne l i n gettin g person s wid i disabilitie s o n an dof f th e vessel , SB A aske dth e Departmen t t o provid e estimate s of th e cost s o f

providin g suc h assistance , a s a"ne w requirement. " A s SB A acknowledged , commenter s t o th e NPRM sai dthat thei r personne l commonl y performe dthi s functio n already . In analyzin g th e cost s o f

arule , th e Departmen t

focuse s o n incrementa l costs , no t assumin g a baselin e i n whic h n o on e i s performin g somethin g require db y th e rule . Th e informatio n i n th e recor dsuggest s that

th e incrementa l cost s o f

thi s provisio n o f

th e rul e woul db e low , an dth e recor ddoe s no t

provid e informatio n o n ho w man y vesse l operator s (particularl y th e relativel y fe w smal l PVO s that

th e fina l rul e covers ) currentl y declin e t o provid e boardin g assistanc e t o passenger s wit

h disabilities . Whil e th e recor dtherefor e doe s no t support aquantifie destimat e of5 9

th e incrementa l cost s of

thi s requiremen t

t o smal l entities , th e Departmen t i s justified , base do n th e evidenc e o f

th e record , fo

r estimatin g that

it woul db e very low . Concernin g servic e animals , SB A suggeste dthat ther e shoul db e a

n exceptio n t o th e rul e that woul dallo w ver

y smal l vessel s t o den y passag e for safet y reasons . A s note dabove , th e numbe r of ver y smal l vessel s covere db y th e rul e i s likel y t o b e ver y small . Denial of

acces s t o a servic e animal i s tantamoun t t o denyin g transportatio n t o it s user . Consequently , th e provision s o f sectio n 39.27 , concernin g exclusio n o f apassenge r

wit h disabilitie s i

n connectio n wit

h legitimat e safet

y requirements , woul dappl y i n acas e wher e aPV O believe di t shoul dexclud e a servic e animal for

safet y reasons . SB A als o note s that smalle r ferrie s an dothe r

smal l vessel s migh t no t hav e refrigerator s o n boar dt o stor e foo dfor servic e animals . Ther e i s n o nee dt o refrigerat e animal foo do n th e short trip s typicall y ru n b y smal l ferrie s o r wate r taxis , s o th e issu e woul dlikel y neve r

arise . Th e nee dt o stor e an drefrigerat e anima l foo dwoul dmos t likel y aris e o n vessel s that

provid e overnigh t

accommodations , whic h typicall y ar e large r vessels . Wid i respec t

t o complaint s resolutio n officer s (CROs ; section s 39.10 1 - 39.105 ) SB A request s a n estimat e o f

th e cost s o f

thi s requirement . A s SB A concedes , ther e ar e n o trainin g requirement s for

CRO s in th e final rule , an dman y of th e sam e personne l alread y receiv e custome r relation s an dsafet

y training . Consequently , th e incrementa l cos t o f gettin g smal l entities ' CRO s t o th e poin t o f proficienc y i s limite dt o th e tim e t o rea dan dunderstan dth e rule . Th e rul e i s no t

excessivel y lengthy , with th e regulator y tex t likel y t o amoun t

t o aroun d7- 8 Federa l Registe r

pages . It i s no t necessar y for

CRO s t o memoriz e th e rule , onl y t o becom e familia r enoug h wit

h i t t o kno w what

provision s t o referenc e whe n aquestio n o r issu e arises . It i s fair t o assum e that

thi s tas k woul dtak e a

n hour . Suppos e ther e ar e 50 0 smal l PVO s covere d b y th e rul e (likel y a

n overgenerou s number) . The n th e tota l burde n woul db e 50 0 wor k hours .6 0

T o make acos t

estimate , on e woul dmultipl y thi s numbe r o f hour s b y th e averag e hourl y wag e o f PV O personne l wh o woul drea dth e rule . I f thi s averag e i s $20/hour , the n th e total cos t o f th e requiremen t

for smal l PVO s woul db e $10,000 . T o estimat e th e cos t

an dburde n o f

havin g CRO s workin g for smal l entitie s t o provid e response s t o writte n complaints , it woul db e necessary t o estimat e ho w man y suc h complaint s ther e wil l be . Th e recor do f th e rulemakin g provide s n o basi s fo r makin g suc h a

n estimate . Th e mai n purpos e o f

th e CR O requiremen t

i s t o resolv e problem s befor e the y tur n int o writte n complaints . Likewise , th e purpos e o f th e entir e rul e i s t o se t

fordi explici t

expectation s for

PV O policies , s o that

PVO s d o no t

conduc t themselve s i n way s that

giv e ris e t o complaints . Man y vesse l industry conmienter s sai dtha t the y emphasiz e providin g goo dcustome r servic e t o passenger s with disabilities . I f true , thi s woul dminimiz e th e occurrenc e o f complaints . Fo r

thes e reasons , th e Departmen t

believe s that

th e numbe r

o f writte n complaint s involvin g smal l entitie s woul db e small . I

f w e assum e that

th e tas k o f gatherm g informatio n for an dwritin g alette r

t o a complainan t

woul dtak e four

hours , an ddiat

2 0 percen t

o f th e hypothetica l 50 0 PVO s - 10 0 entitie s - ha don e complain t file dagains t

the mpe r year , th e tas k

woul doccup y 40 0 wor

k hours . Again , i f w e multipl y dii s figure b y th e average hourl y wag e o f th e CR O - assuming , a s before , that thi s i s $20/hou r

- the n th e annua l tota l i s $8000 . It i s possibl e t o plu g i n avariety o f assumption s abou t

di e numbe r

o f CROs , th e numbe r

o f complaints , an dth e wag e rate s involved , bu t th e botto mlin e remain s avery modes t economi c impac t

i n an y plausibl e scenario . Partie s aggrieve db y PV O misconduc t alread y hav e th e authority t o brin g litigatio n unde r th e AD A o r

t o complai n t o DO J abou t disabilit y discrimination . Th e Specto r case , cite dearlier i n thi s preamble , i s th e mos t prominen t

exampl e o f

suc h litigation , havin g bee n decide db y th e Suprem e Court .6 1

Becaus e th e cost s o f

th e rul e ar e minima l t o an y covere dparties , an dbecaus e th e numbe r o f smal l entitie s affecte di s likel y t o b e very small , I certif y that thi s rul e wil l no t

hav e a significan t

economi c effec t

o n asubstantia l numbe r

o f smal l entities . Federalis m Whil e ther e are som e stat e an dloca l entitie s (i.e . operator s o f stat e o r municipa l ferr

y systems ) that

woul db e covere db y thi s rule , mos t regulate dpartie s ar e privat e entities . Th e rul e wil l no t creat e an y significan t

change s i n th e Federal/state/loca l relationshi p wit h respec t t o thes e entities , an dha s n o pre-emptiv e effect . Consequently , w e hav e conclude dthat ther e ar e no t sufficient Federalis mimpact s t o warran t th e preparatio n o f

aFederalis massessment . Lis t o f Subject s fo r

4 9 CF RPar t

3 9

Individual s wit

h disabilities . Mas s transportation . Passenge r vessel s
ISSUE D TH I , 2010 , A T WASHINGTON , D.C .6 2

Fo r th e reason s set

fort h i n th e preamble , th e Departmen t i s creatin g ane w 4 9 CF

RPart 39 , t o rea da s follows :
l.Th e authorit y citatio n for 4 9 CFRPart

3 9 read s a s follows : Authority : 4 2 U.S.C . 1210 1 throug h 12213 ; 4 9 U.S.C . 322 ; 2 9 U.S.C . 79 4

2 . Ad dane w 4 9 CET

l Part 39 , t o rea da s follows :

4 9 CF RPar t

3 9 - Transportatio n fo r Individual s wit h Disabilities : Passenge r Vessels Subpar t A - Genera l Sec . 39. 1 What

i s th e purpos e o f

thi s Part ? 39. 3 Wha t

d o th e term s i n thi s rul e mean ? « 39. 5 T o who md o th e provision s o f thi s Part apply ? 39. 7 What

othe r authoritie s concernin g nondiscriminatio n o n th e basi s of disabilit y appl y t o owner s an doperator s o f

passenge r

vessels ? 39. 9 What

may th e owne r

o r operato r o f aforeign-fla g vesse l d o i f it believe s aprovisio n o f

a foreig n nation' s la

w prohibit s complianc e with aprovisio n of thi s Part ? 39.1 1 [Reserved ] 39.1 3 Whe n mus t

PVO s compl y wit

h th e provision s of

thi s Part ?6 3

•Subpar t B - Nondiscriminatio n an dAcces s t o Service s 39.2 1 Wha t

i s th e genera l nondiscriminatio n requiremen t o f thi s Part ? 39.2 3 What

are th e requirement s concernin g contractor s t o owner s an doperator s of passenge r vessels ? 39.2 5 May PVO s refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l o n th e basi s o f

disability ? 39.2 7 Can aPV O tak e actio n t o den y transportatio n o r restric t service s t o apassenge r

with a disabilit y base do n safet

y concerns ? 39.2 9 May PVO s limi t

th e numbe r

o f passenger s wid i adisabilit y o n apassenge r vessel ? 39.3 1 May PVO s limi t

acces s t o transportatio n o r us e of avesse l o n th e basi s that apassenge r ha s acommunicabl e disease ? 39.3 3 May PVO s requir e apassenge r with adisabilit y t o provid e amedica l certificate ? 39.3 5 May PVO s requir e apassenge r with adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e that h e o r sh e i s travelin g o n o r

usin g apassenge r

vesse l whe n n o specia l privilege s o r service s ar e sought ? 39.3 7 39.3 7 May PVO s requir e apassenge r with adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e i n orde r t o obtai n particular

auxiliary aid s an dservice s o r t o arrang e grou p travel? 39.3 9 Ho w d o PVO s ensur e that passenger s with disabilitie s ar e abl e t o us e accessibl e cabins ? 39.4 1 May PVO s requir e apassenge r with adisabilit y t o trave l with anothe r person ? 39.4 3 Ma

y PVO s impos e specia l charge s o n passenger s with adisabilit y for providin g service s require db y thi s rule ? 39.4 5 May PVO s impos e othe r restriction s o n passenger s wit h adisabilit y that

the y d o not impos e o n othe r

passengers ? 39.4 7 Ma y PVO s requir e passenger s with adisabilit y t o sig n waiver s o r releases ?6 4

Subpar t C - Informatio n fo r

Passenger s 39.5 1 What

i s th e genera l requiremen t for PVOs ' provisio n o f

auxiliary aid s an dservice s t o passengers ? 39.5 3 What

informatio n mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisability ? 39.5 5 Mus t

informatio n an dreservatio n service s o f PVO s b e accessibl e t o individual s with hearin g o r

visio n impairments ? 39.5 7 Mus t

PVO s mak e copie s o f

thi s rul e availabl e t o passengers ? •Subpar t D - Accessibilit y o f

Landsid e Facilitie s 39.6 1 - What

requirement s mus t

PVO s mee t

concernin g th e accessibility o f terminal s an dothe r landsid e facilities ? 39.6 3 What

modification s an dauxiliary aid s an dservice s ar e require da t terminal s an dothe r landsid e facilitie s for

individual s with hearin g o r visio n impairments ? •Subpar t E - Accessibilit y o f

Vessel s [RESERVED ] Subpar t F- Assistanc e an dService s t o Passenger s wit h Disabilitie s 39.8 1 What

assistanc e mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s with adisabilit y i n gettin g t o an dfro m apassenge r

vessel ? 39.8 3 What

ar e PVOs ' obligation s fo r assistin g passenger s with adisabilit y i n gettin g o n an dof f apassenge r

vessel ? 39.8 5 Wha

t service s mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n boar dapassenge r vessel ?6 5

39.8 7 What

service s are PVO s no t

require dt o provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n boar da passenge r vessel ? 39.8 9 What

requirement s appl y t o on-boar dsafet y briefings , information , an ddrills ? 39.9 1 Mus t

PVO s permi t

passenger s with adisabilit y t o trave l wit h servic e animals ? 39.9 3 What

wheelchair s an dothe r

assistive device s may passenger s with adisabilit y brin g ont o apassenge r

vessel ? 39.9 5 Ma

y PVO s limi t

thei r liability for

th e los s of

o r damag e t o wheelchair s an dothe r assistive devices ? Subpar t G - Complaint s an dEnforcemen t Procedure s 39.10 1 What

ar e th e requirement s for

providin g Complaint s Resolutio n Officials ? 39.10 3 What

action s d o CRO s tak e o n complaints ? 39.10 5 Ho w mus t

PVO s respon dt o writte n complaints ? 39.10 7 Wher e may person s obtai n assistanc e with matter s covere db y thi s regulation ? 39,10 9 What

enforcemen t

action s ma

y b e take n unde r

thi s Part ? Subpar t A - Genera l 39. 1 Wha t

i s th e purpos e o f

thi s Part ? Th e purpos e o f

thi s Part i s t o carry ou t

th e American s wit

h Disabilitie s Ac t

an dSectio n 50 4 of th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t

o f 197 3 with respec t

t o passenge r

vessels . Thi s rul e prohibit s owner s an doperator s o f

passenge r

vessels , includin g U.S . an dforeign-fla g vessels , fro m discriminatin g agains t

passenger s o n th e basi s o f disability ; require s vessel s an drelate dfacilitie s6 6

t o b e accessible ; an drequire s owner s an doperator s o f vessel s t o take step s to accommodat e passenger s wit

h disabilities .

39. 3 Wha t

d o th e term s i n thi s rul e mean ? I n thi s regulation , th e term s liste di n thi s sectio n hav e th e followin g meanings :
"Accessible " means , wit

h respec t t o vessel s an dfacilities , complyin g with th e applicabl e requirement s o f

thi s Part . "Th e Act " o r

"ADA " means th e American s wit h Disabilitie s Ac t

o f 199 0 (Pub . L . 101-336 , 104 Stat . 327 , 4 2 U.S.C . 12101-1221 3 an d4 7 U.S.C . 22 5 an d611) , a s it may b e amende dfro mtim e t o time . "Assistiv e device " mean s an y piec e o f equipmen t

tha t assist s apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y t o cop e with th e effect s o f

hi s o r he r disability . Suc h device s ar e intende dt o assis t apassenge r

wit h adisability t o hear , see , communicate , maneuver , o r performothe r

function s o f

dail y life , an d ma y includ e medica l devices . "Auxiliary aid s an dservices " includes : (1 ) Qualifie dinterpreter s on-sit e o r throug h vide o remot e interpretin g (VRI ) services ; notetakers ; real-tim e computer-aide dtranscriptio n services ; writte n materials ; exchang e o f writte n notes ; telephon e handse t amplifiers ; assistiv e listenin g devices ; assistiv e listenin g6 7

systems ; telephone s compatibl e wit h hearin g aids ; close dcaptio n decoders ; ope n an dclose d captioning , includin g real-tim e captioning ; voice , text , an dvideo-base dtelecommunication s product s an dsystems , includin g tex t telephone s (TTYs) , videophones , an dcaptione dtelephones , o r equall y effectiv e telecommunication s devices ; videotex t displays ; accessibl e electroni c an d informatio n technology ; o r othe r effectiv e method s of

makin g aurall y delivere dinformatio n availabl e t o individual s wh o ar e deaf o r har dof hearing ; (2 ) Qualifie dreaders , tape dtexts , audi o recordings , braile dmaterial s an ddisplays , scree n reade r software , magnificatio n software , optica l readers , secondary auditory program s (SAP) , larg e prin t

materials , accessibl e electroni c an dinformatio n technology , o r othe r effectiv e method s of

makin g visuall y delivere dmaterial s availabl e t o individual s wh o ar e blin do r hav e lo w vision ; (3 ) Acquisitio n o r

modificatio n of

equipmen t

o r devices ; o r (4 ) Othe r similar service s o r

actions . "Coas t Guard " mean s th e Unite dState s Coas t Guard , a n agenc y o f

th e Departmen t

o f Homelan d Security . "Commerce " mean s travel , trade , transportation , o r communicatio n amon g th e severa l states , betwee n any foreig n country o r any territory an dpossessio n an dan y state , o r betwee n point s i n th e sam e stat e bu t

throug h anothe r

stat e o r foreig n country .6 8

"Designate dpubli c transportation " mean s transportatio n provide db y apubli c entit y b y passenge r vesse l that

provide s th e genera l publi c wit h genera l o r

special service , includin g charte r service , o n aregular

an dcontinuin g basis . "Department " o r

"DOT " mean s th e Unite dState s Departmen t o f Transportation , includin g any o f it s agencies . "Direc t threat " mean s asignifican t ris k t o th e health o r

safet y o f other s that

canno t b e eliminate d b y amodificatio n o f

policies , practices , o r

procedures , o r

b y th e provisio n o f

auxiliary aid s o r services . "Disability " means , with respec t t o a n individual , (A ) aphysica l o r

menta l impairmen t

diat substantiall y limit s on e o r mor e majo r

lif e activitie s o f suc h individual ; (B ) arecor do f

suc h an impairment ; o r (C ) bein g regarde da s havin g suc h a n impairmen t

(a s describe di n paragrap h (3)) . (1 ) "Majo r

Lif e Activities " means (A ) In genera l Fo r purpose s o f

thi s definitio n majo r

lif e activitie s include , bu t

are no t limite dto , caring for oneself , performin g manua l tasks , seeing , hearing , eating , sleeping , walking , standing , lifting .6 9

bending , speaking , breathing , learning , reading , concentrating , diinking , communicating , an d working . (B ) Majo r bodil y function s Fo r purpose s o f

thi s definition , amajor

lif e activity als o include s th e operatio n o f amajo r bodil y function , includin g bu t

no t limite dto , function s of

th e immun e system , norma l cel l growth , digestive , bowel , bladder , neurological , brain , respiratory , circulatory , endocrine , an d reproductiv e functions . (2 ) "Physica l o r

menta l impairment " mean s — (A ) An y physiologica l disorde r o r condition , cosmeti c disfigurement , o r anatomica l los s affectin g on e o r

mor e o f th e followin g bod y systems : neurological , musculoskeletal , specia l sens e organs , respiratory includin g speec h organs , cardiovascular , digestive , genito-urinary , hemi c an dlymphatic , skin , an dendocrine ; (B ) An y menta l o r

psychologica l disorder , suc h a s mental retardation , organi c brai n syndrome , emotiona l o r

menta l illness , an dspecifi c learnin g disabilities . (C ) Th e term"physica l o r menta l impairment " includes , bu t i s no t limite dto , suc h contagiou s o r noncontagiou s disease s an dcondition s a s orthopedic , visual , speech , an dhearin g impairments ; cerebral palsy , epilepsy , muscular dystrophy , multipl e sclerosis , cancer , hear t disease , diabetes , menta l retardation , emotiona l illness , specifi c learnin g disabilities , HIV , tuberculosis , dru g addictio n an dalcoholism . (D ) Th e phras e "physica l o r menta l impairment " doe s no t includ e homosexualit y o r bisexuality . (3 ) Regarde da s havin g suc h a n impaiiinen t7 0

Fo r purpose s o f

thi s definition , (A ) A n individua l meet s th e requiremen t o f "bein g regarde da s havin g suc h a n impairment " if th e individua l establishe s that h e o r sh e ha s bee n subjecte dt o a n actio n prohibite dunde r thi s chapte r becaus e of

an actua l o r

perceive dphysica l o r

mental impairmen t

whethe r o r not th e impairmen t

limit s o r i s perceive dt o limi t

amajo r lif e activity . (B ) Th e definitio n o f

"regarde da s havin g suc h an impairment " shal l not appl y t o impairment s that are transitory an dminor . A transitory impairmen t i s a n impairmen t

wit h a n actua l o r expecte dduratio n o f

6 month s o r

less. (4 ) Rule s o f

constructio n regardin g th e definitio n o f disability : Th e definitio n o f

"disability " i n thi s sectio n mus t b e construe di n accordanc e th e provision s o f 4 2 U.S.C . 1210 2 (4) . (5 ) Th e ter m"disability " doe s no t includ e — (i ) Transvestism , transsexualism , pedophilia , exhibitionism , voyeurism , gende r identity disorder s no t resultin g fromphysica l impairments , o r othe r sexua l behavio r

disorders ; (ii ) Compulsiv e gambling , kleptomania , o r pyromania ; (iii ) Psychoactiv e substanc e abus e disorder s resultin g fro mth e curren t illega l us e o f

drugs . "Facility " mean s al l o r

an y portio n o f

buildings , structures , sites , complexes , equipment , roads , walks , passageways , parkin g lots , o r othe r rea l o r persona l property , includin g th e sit e wher e th e building , property , structure , o r equipmen t

i s located .7 ]

"Individua l wit

h adisability " mean s aperso n wh o ha s adisability , bu t doe s no t includ e a n individua l wh o i s currentl y engagin g i n th e illegal us e o f drugs , whe n apubli c o r

privat e entit y act s o n th e basi s o f

suc h use . "Operates " includes , with respec t t o passenge r

vesse l service , th e provisio n o f transportatio n b y a publi c o r privat e entit y itsel f

o r b y aperso n unde r

acontractua l o r

othe r arrangemen t

o r relationshi p with th e entity . "Passenge r

fo r hire " mean s apassenge r

for who mconsideratio n i s contribute da s aconditio n of carriag e o n th e vessel , whethe r directl y o r

indirectl y flowing t o th e owner , charterer , operator , agent , o r an y othe r perso n havin g a

n interes t i n th e vessel . "Passenge r

vessel " mean s an y ship , boat , o r othe r craf t use da s aconveyanc e o n water , regardles s o f

it s mean s o f

propulsion , whic h accept s passengers , whethe r o r no t for hire . Th e ter mdoe s no t

includ e boat s o r

othe r craf t rente do r lease dt o an doperate dsolel y b y consumer s o r fixe dfloating structure s permanentl y moore do r attache dt o alandsid e facility . "Passenge r

vesse l owne r

o r operato r (PVO) " mean s any publi c o r privat e entity tha t

own s o r operate s apassenge r

vessel . Whe n th e party that own s apassenge r

vesse l i s adifferen t

pjirt y fro mth e part y diat

operate s th e vessel , bot

h ar e responsibl e fo

r complyin g with th e requirement s o f thi s Part . T o b e aPV O for purpose s o f

thi s Part , aprivat e entit y mus t b e aprivat e entit y7 2

primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people , a s determine db y th e Departmen t o f Transportatio n i

n consultatio n wit

h th e Departmen t

o f Justice . "Privat e entity " mean s any entit y othe r than apubli c entit y that

i s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f

transportin g people . "Publi c entity " means : (a ) An y stat e o r

local government ; (b ) An y department , agency , specia l purpos e district, o r othe r instrumentality o f

on e o r mor e stat e o r loca l government s (includin g a n entity establishe dt o provid e publi c ferr y service ) "Qualifie dindividua l wit

h adisability " mean s a

n individua l with adisabilit y — (a ) Who , a s apassenge r

(referre dt o a s a"passenge r with adisability") , with respec t t o obtainin g transportatio n o n o r

us e o f apassenge r

vessel , o r

othe r service s o r

accommodation s require db y thi s Part , (i ) Buy s o r

otherwis e validl y obtains , o r make s agoo dfait

h effor t t o obtain , aticke t

for transportatio n o n apassenge r vesse l an dpresent s himsel f o r hersel f at th e vesse l for

th e purpos e o f travelin g o n th e voyag e t o whic h th e ticke t pertains ; o r (ii ) With respec t

t o us e o f apassenge r

vesse l for

whic h member s o f

th e publi c ar e no t

require dt o obtai n tickets , present s himsel f o r hersel f a t th e vesse l fo r

th e purpos e o f

usin g th e vesse l fo r

th e purpos e for

whic h it i s mad e availabl e t o th e public ; an d (iii ) Meet s reasonable , nondiscriminatory requirement s applicabl e t o al l passengers ; o r7 3

(b ) Who , wit

h respec t t o accompanyin g o r

meetin g atraveler , usin g groun dtransportation , usin g facilities , o r

obtainin g informatio n abou t schedules , fares , reservations , o r policies , take s thos e action s necessar y t o us e facilitie s o r service s offere db y th e PV O t o th e genera l public , wit h reasonabl e modifications , a s needed , provide db y th e PVO . "Secretary " mean s th e Secretary o f Transportatio n o r

his/he r designee . "Sectio n 504 " mean s sectio n 50 4 o f th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t

o f 197 3 (Pub . L . 93-112 , 8 7 Stat . 394 , 2 9 U.S.C . 794) , a s amended . "Servic e animal " mean s any guid e dog , signa l dog , o r othe r anima l individuall y traine dt o wor k o r performtask s fo

r a n individua l wit

h adisability , including , bu t no t limite dto , guidin g individual s with impaire dvision , alertin g individual s wit h impaire dhearing t o intruder s o r sounds , alertin g person s wit h seizur e disorder s t o th e onse t o f aseizure , providin g minima l protectio n o r

rescu e work , pullin g awheelchair , o r fetchin g droppe ditems . "Specifie dpubli c transportation " mean s transportatio n b y passenge r vesse l provide db y aprivat e entit y t o th e general public , with general o r specia l servic e (includm g charte r service ) o n a regular an dcontinuin g basis , wher e th e privat e entit y i s primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g people . "Terminal " means , wit

h respec t t o passenge r

vesse l transportation , th e portio n o f aproperty locate dadjacen t

t o adock , entry ramp , o r othe r mean s o f boardin g apassenge r

vessel , includin g7 4

area s throug h whic h passenger s gai n acces s t o lan dtransportation , passenge r shelters , designate d waitin g areas , ticketin g areas , an dbaggag e drop-of f an dretrieva l sites , t o th e exten t that th e PV O own s o r lease s th e facilit

y o r exercise s contro l ove r

th e selection , design , construction , o r alteratio n o f

th e property . "Unite dStates " o r

"U.S. " mean s th e Unite dState s o f America , includin g it s territories , commonwealths , an dpossessions . "Wheelchair " mean s an y mobilit y ai dbelongin g t o an y clas s o f thre e o r four-wheele ddevices , usabl e indoors , designe dfor an duse db y individual s with mobility impairments , whethe r operate dmanuall y o r

powered . "You " mean s th e owne r

o r operato r o f apassenge r

vessel , unles s th e contex t require s adifferent meaning . 39. 5 T o who md o th e provision s o f thi s Par t apply ? (a ) Excep t

a s provide din paragrap h (b ) o r (c ) o f thi s section , thi s Part

applie s t o yo u i

f yo u ar e th e owne r

o r operato r o f an y passenge r

vessel , an dyo u are : (1 ) A publi c entity that

provide s designate dpubli c transportation ; o r (2 ) A privat e entity primaril y engage di n th e busines s o f transportin g peopl e whos e operation s affec t

commerc e an dthat

provide s specifie dpubli c transportation ;7 5

(b ) I f yo u ar e th e PV O o f

aforeign-fla g passenge r

vessel , thi s Part

applie s t o you onl y i

f • you r vesse l pick s u p passenger s a t aport in th e Unite dStates , it s territories , possessions , o r commonwealths . (c ) [Reserved ]

39. 7 Wha t

othe r authoritie s concernin g nondiscriminatio n o n th e basi s o f disabilit y appl y t o owner s an doperator s o f passenge r

vessels ? (a ) I f yo u receiv e Federa l financial assistanc e fro mth e Departmen t o f Transportation , complianc e wit

h applicabl e requirement s o f thi s Par t i s aconditio n o f

complianc e wit

h sectio n 50 4 o f th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t

o f 197 3 an do f

receivin g financia l assistance . (b ) Yo u ar e als o subjec t

t o AD A regulation s o f

th e Departmen t

o f Justic e (2 8 CfTi Part 3 5 o r 36 , a s applicable) . 39. 9 Wha t

ma y th e owne r

o r operato r o f aforeign-fla g vesse l d o i f i t believe s aprovisio n o f aforeig n nation' s la w prohibit s complianc e wit h aprovisio n o f thi s Part ? (a ) I f you ar e th e PV O o f

aforeign-fla g vessel , an dyo u believ e that abindin g legal requiremen t

o f aforeig n natio n preclude s yo u fro mcomplyin g with aprovisio n o f thi s Part , yo u may reques t

awaive r o f th e provisio n o f

thi s Part . (b ) Yo u mus t

sen dsuc h awaive r

reques t t o th e Department . (c ) You r waive r reques t mus t includ e th e followin g elements : (1 ) A copy , i n th e Englis h language , o f th e foreig n la w involved ; (2 ) A descriptio n of

ho w th e bindin g lega l requiremen t of aforeig n natio n applie s an dho w i t

preclude s complianc e with aprovisio n o f thi s Part ;7 6

(3 ) A descriptio n o f

th e alternativ e mean s yo u wil l use , i f th e waive r

i s granted , t o effectivel y achiev e th e objectiv e o f th e provisio n o f

thi s Par t subjec t t o th e waive r

or , i f applicable , ajustificatio n o f wh y i t woul db e impossibl e t o achiev e thi s objectiv e i n an y way . (d ) I f yo u submi t

suc h awaive r

reques t i n th e 90-da y perio dbetwee n th e publicatio n o f thi s rul e i n di e Federa l Registe r an dth e effectiv e dat e o f

thi s Part , yo u may continu e t o appl y th e foreig n legal requiremen t pendin g th e Department' s respons e t o you r waive r request . (e ) Th e Departmen t

shal l gran t

th e waive r

reques t i f i t determine s that

di e bindin g legal requiremen t

of aforeig n natio n applies , that it doe s preclud e complianc e with aprovisio n of thi s Part , an dthat

th e PV O ha s provide da

n effectiv e alternativ e mean s o f achievin g th e objectiv e o f th e provisio n o f

thi s Part subjec t t o th e waive r

o r clear an dconvincin g evidenc e that i t woul db e impossibl e t o achiev e thi s objectiv e i n an y way . 39.1 1 [RESERVED ] 39.1 3 Whe n mus t

PVO s compl y wit h th e provision s o f thi s Part ? Yo u ar e require dt o compl y with th e requirement s o f thi s Part beginnin g [insert

effectiv e dat e o f thi s Part] , excep t

a s odierwis e provide di n individua l section s o f thi s Part . •Subpar t B - Nondiscriminatio n an dAcces s t o Service s 39.2 1 Wha t

i s th e genera l nondiscriminatio n requiremen t o f thi s Part ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

no t d o an y o f

th e followin g things , eithe r directl y o r

throug h a contractual , licensing , o r

othe r arrangement :7 7

(1 ) Yo u mus t

no t discriminat e agains t

any qualifie dindividua l wit h adisability , b y reaso n of suc h disability , with respec t t o th e individual' s us e of avessel ; (2 ) Yo u mus t

no t requir e aqualifie dindividua l with adisability t o accep t specia l service s that th e individua l doe s no t

request ; (3 ) Yo u mus t

no t exclud e aqualifie dindividua l with adisabilit y fromo r den y di e perso n th e benefi t

of an y vesse l transportatio n o r relate dservice s tha

t ar e availabl e t o othe r

persons , excep t whe n specificall y permitte db y anothe r sectio n o f

thi s Part ; an d (4 ) Yo u mus t

no t tak e any actio n agains t

a n individua l (e.g. , refusin g t o provid e transportation ) becaus e th e individua l asserts , o n hi s or he r ow n behal f

or throug h o r

o n behal f o f odiers , right s protecte db y thi s Part o r th e ADA . (b ) (1 ) A s aPV O tha

t i s aprivat e entity , yo u mus t mak e reasonabl e modification s i n policies , practices , o r

procedure s whe n suc h modification s are necessary t o affor dsuc h goods , services , facilities , privileges , advantages , o r accommodation s t o individual s wit h disabilities , unles s yo u can demonstrat e that makin g suc h modification s woul dfundamentall y alte r th e natur e o f suc h goods , services , facilities , privileges , advantages , o r accommodations . (2 ) A s aPV O that

i s apubli c entity , yo u mus t mak e reasonabl e modification s i n policies , practices , o r

procedure s whe n necessary t o avoi ddiscriminatio n o n th e basi s of disability , unles s yo u can demonstrat e that

makin g th e modification s woul dfundamentall y alte r th e natur e of

th e services , programs , o r

activitie s yo u offer . 39.2 3 Wha t

ar e th e requirement s concernin g contractor s t o owner s an doperator s o f passenge r

vessels ?7 8

(a ) If , a s aPVO , you ente r

int o acontractua l o r

othe r arrangemen t

o r relationshi p wit

h any othe r party to provid e service s to o r affectin g passengers , you mus t ensur e that

di e othe r party meet s th e requirement s o f dii s Part that woul dappl y t o yo u i

f you provide dth e servic e yourself. (b ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

includ e an assuranc e of

complianc e wit

h thi s Part

i n you r contract s o r

agreement s wit

h an y contractor s wh o provid e t o th e publi c service s that ar e subjec t t o th e requirement s o f

thi s Part . Noncomplianc e with thi s assuranc e i s amateria l breac h o f th e contrac t o n th e contractor' s part . With respec t t o contract s o r

agreement s existin g o n [insert effectiv e dat e o f

thi s rule] , yo u mus t

ensur e th e inclusio n of

thi s assuranc e b y [insert

dat e on e year fro mth e effectiv e dat e o f thi s rule ] o r

o n th e nex t

occasio n o n whic h di e contrac t o r agreemen t

i s renewe do r

amended , whicheve r

come s first . (1 ) Thi s assuranc e mus t

commi t th e contracto r

t o complianc e wit

h al l applicabl e provision s o f

thi s Part i n activitie s performe do n behal f o f th e PVO . (2 ) Th e assuranc e mus t

als o commi t

th e contracto r

t o implementin g directive s issue db y you r Complaint s Resolutio n Official s (CROs ) unde r §39.103 . (c ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

als o includ e suc h a

n assuranc e o f

complianc e i n you r

contract s o r agreement s o f

appointmen t

with U.S . trave l agents . Wit h respec t t o contract s o r

agreement s with U.S . trave l agent s existin g o n [insert effectiv e dat e o f

thi s rule] , yo u mus t

ensur e th e inclusio n o f

thi s assuranc e b y [insert

dat e on e year

fro mth e effectiv e dat e o f thi s rule ] o r

o n th e nex t occasio n o n whic h th e contrac t o r agreemen t

i s renewe do r

amended , whicheve r

comes first . Yo u ar e no t

require dt o includ e suc h a n assuranc e i n contract s with foreig n trave l agents . (d ) Yo u remai n responsibl e for you r contractors ' an dU.S . trave l agents ' complianc e wit h thi s Part an dwith th e assurance s i n you r contract s with them .7 9

(e ) It i s no t adefens e t o a

n enforcemen t

actio n unde r

thi s Part that you r noncomplianc e resulte dfromactio n o r

inactio n b y acontracto r

o r U-S . trave l agent .

39.2 5 Ma y PVO s refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l o n th e basi s o f disability ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

no t refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l t o a passenge r wit h adisability o n th e basi s o f hi s o r he r disability , excep t

a s specificall y permitte d b y thi s Part . (b ) Yo u mus t

no t refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l t o apassenge r

with a disability becaus e th e person's disabilit y result s i n appearanc e o r involuntary behavio r

tha t may offend , annoy , o r

inconvenienc e crewmember s o r othe r passengers . (c ) I f yo u refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l t o apassenge r

o n abasi s relatin g t o th e individual' s disability , yo u mus t provid e t o th e perso n awritte n statemen t o f th e reaso n for th e refusal . Thi s statemen t mus t includ e th e specifi c basi s for you r opinio n tha t

th e refusal meet s th e standard s o f sectio n 39.2 7 o r

i s otherwis e specificall y permitte db y thi s Part . Yo u mus t provid e thi s writte n statemen t t o th e perso n withi n 1 0 calendar day s o f th e refusal of transportatio n o r

us e o f th e vessel . 39.2 7 Ca n aPV O tak e actio n t o den y transportatio n o r restric t service s t o apassenge r wit h adisabilit y base do n safet y concerns ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u may tak e actio n t o den y transportatio n o r restric t service s t o a passenge r wit h adisability i

f necessitate db y legitimat e safet y requirements . Safet

y requirement s mus t b e base do n actua l risk s an dno t o n mer e speculation , stereotypes , o r generalization s abou t8 0

individual s wit

h disabilities . Exampl e 1 t o paragrap h 39.2 7 (a) : Yo u may tak e suc h actio n i n orde r t o compl y with Coas t Guar dsafet

y regulation s Exampl e 2 to paragrap h 39.27(a) : Yo u ma y tak e suc h actio n i

f accommodatin g alarg e o r heav y wheelchai r

would , togethe r

with it s occupant , creat e weigh t an dbalanc e proble mthat coul d affec t adversel y th e seaworthines s o f th e vesse l o r

imped e emergenc y egres s fro mth e vessel . Exampl e 3 t o paragrap h 39.27(a) : Yo u coul drestric t acces s t o alifeboa

t for amobility devic e that woul dlimi t

acces s t o th e lifeboa

t for othe r passengers . (b ) I n takin g actio n pursuan t

t o legitimat e safet

y requirements , yo u mus t tak e th e actio n tha t impose s th e minimu mfeasibl e burden s o r limitation s fro mth e poin t o f vie w of th e passenger . Fo r

example , if

yo u can mee t

legitimat e safet

y requirement s b y amean s short o f refusin g transportatio n t o apassenger , yo u mus t d o so . (c ) Yo u may tak e actio n t o den y transportatio n o r restric t service s t o apassenge r

if th e passenge r pose s adirec t

threa t t o others . In determinin g whethe r a n individua l pose s adirec t threat t o th e health o r

safet y o f others , th e PV O mus t

mak e a n individualize dassessment , based o n reasonabl e judgmen t

that relie s o n curren t

medica l knowledg e o r

o n th e bes t

availabl e objectiv e evidence , t o ascertain : th e nature , duration , an dseverity o f th e risk ; th e probabilit y that th e potentia l injur

y wil l actuall y occur ; an dwhethe r reasonabl e modification s o f policies , practices , o r

procedure s wil l mitigat e di e risk .

39.2 9 Ma y PVO s limi t

th e numbe r

o f passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n apassenge r vessel ?8 1

A s aPVO , yo u mus t

no t limi t th e numbe r

o f passenger s wit

h adisabilit y othe r

tha n individual s with amobility disabilit y o n you r vessel . However , i

f i n di e Captain' s judgment , weigh t o r stabilit y issue s ar e presente db y th e presenc e o f mobility device s an dwoul dconflic t wit h legitimat e safet

y requirement s pertainin g t o th e vesse l an dit s passengers , the n th e numbe r o f passenger s with mobility aid s may b e limited , but onl y t o th e exten t

reasonabl e t o preven t

a avoi dsuc h aconflict . 39.3 1 Ma y PVO s limi t

acces s t o transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l o n th e basi s tha t a passenge r

ha s acommunicabl e disease ? (a ) Yo u mus t

not tak e an y o f

th e followin g action s o n th e basi s that apassenge r

ha s a communicable diseas e o r infection , unles s on e o f

th e condition s o f

paragrap h (b ) o f

thi s sectio n exists : (1 ) Refus e t o provid e transportatio n o r us e o f avesse l t o th e passenger ; (2 ) Dela y th e passenger' s transportatio n o r us e of th e vesse l (e.g. , requir e th e passenge r t o tak e alate r

trip) ; (3 ) Impos e o n th e passenge r an y condition , restriction , o r requiremen t

not impose do n othe r passengers ; o r (4 ) Requir e th e passenge r t o provid e amedica l certificate . (b ) Yo u ma y tak e action s liste di n paragrap h (a ) o f thi s sectio n onl y i

f eithe r o r both o f th e condition s liste di n paragraph s (1 ) - (2 ) o f thi s paragrap h ar e met . Th e actio n yo u tak e mus t b e th e leas t

restrictiv e fro mth e poin t o f vie w o f th e passenger , consisten t wit h protectin g th e health o f othe r passengers .8 2

(1 ) U.S . o r

internationa l publi c health authoritie s (e.g. , th e Centers fo r Diseas e Control , Publi c Health Service , Worl dHealt h Organization ) hav e determine dtha t persons with a particular conditio n shoul dno t

b e permitte dt o trave l o r

shoul dtrave l onl y unde r condition s specifie db y th e publi c health authorities ; (2 ) A n individua l ha s aconditio n that i s both readil y transmissibl e b y casua l contac t i n th e contex t

of travelin g o n o r

usin g apassenge r

vesse l an dha s seriou s health consequences . Exampl e 1 t o paragrap h 39.31(b)(2) . A passenge r ha s acommo n cold . Thi s conditio n i s readil y transmissibl e b y casua l contac t but doe s no t hav e seriou s health consequences . Yo u ma y not tak e an y o f

th e action s liste di n paragrap h (a ) o f thi s section . Exampl e 2 t o paragrap h 39.31(b)(2 : A passenge r ha s HIV/AIDS . Thi s conditio n i s not readil y transmissibl e b y casua l contac t bu t doe s hav e seriou s health consequences . Yo u may no t tak e an y o f th e action s liste di n paragrap h (a ) o f thi s section . Exampl e 3 t o paragrap h 39.31((b)(2) : A passenge r ha s SAR S o r

anorovirus . Thes e condition s ar e readil y transmissibl e b y casua l contac t an dhav e seriou s health consequences . Yo u ma y tak e a n actio n liste di n paragrap h (a ) o f thi s section . Exampl e 4 t o paragrap h 39.31(b)(2) . A passenge r ha s aconditio n diat

i s no t readil y transmissibl e b y casua l contac t t o o r doe s no t hav e seriou s health consequence s for th e genera l passenge r

population . However , i t i s possibl e that

i t coul db e readil y transmitte db y casua l contac t wit h an dhav e seriou s health consequence s for a n individua l with asever e allerg y o r severel y compromise dimmun e system . Yo u may no t tak e an y o f th e action s liste di n paragrap h (a ) o f thi s section . (c ) An y actio n o f

thos e liste din paragrap h (a ) o f thi s sectio n that

yo u tak e unde r paragrap h (b ) o f

thi s sectio n mus t

b e th e leas t

drasti c actio n yo u can tak e t o protec t th e healt h o f othe r passengers . Fo r

example , i

f yo u can protec t

th e health o f

othe r passenge r

b y imposin g a8 3

conditio n o n th e transportatio n o f apassenge r

wit h acommunicabl e diseas e (e.g. , limitin g th e passenger' s acces s t o certai n facilitie s o n th e vesse l fo r aperio dof

time) , yo u canno t

totall y den y transportatio n o n th e vessel . (d ) Fo r purpose s of

paragrap h (a)(4 ) o f

dii s section , amedica l certificat e i s awritte n statemen t fro mth e passenger' s physicia n sayin g tha t th e passenger' s diseas e o r infectio n woul d not , unde r th e presen t

condition s in th e particular passenger' s case , b e readil y communicabl e t o othe r persons b y casua l contac t durin g th e norma l cours e o f th e passenger' s transportatio n o r us e o f th e vessel . Suc h amedica l certificat e mus t stat e an y condition s o r

precaution s that

woul d hav e t o b e observe dt o preven t th e transmissio n o f

th e diseas e o r

infectio n t o othe r

person s i n th e norma l cours e o f

th e passenger' s transportatio n o n o r us e o f th e vessel . It

mus t b e sufficientl y recen t t o pertai n directl y t o th e communicable diseas e presente db y th e passenge r a t th e tim e th e passenge r seek s t o boar dth e vessel . (e ) I f you r actio n unde r

thi s sectio n result s i n th e postponemen t o f apassenger' s transportatio n o r

us e o f th e vessel , yo u mus t

permi t th e passenge r

t o trave l o r

us e th e vesse l a

t a late r availabl e tim e (u p t o on e yea r fro mth e dat e o f

th e postpone dtri p o r

us e o f th e vessel ) at

th e cos t tha t woul dhav e applie dt o th e passenger' s originall y schedule dtri p o r us e o f th e vesse l withou t penalty or , at

th e passenger' s discretion , provid e arefun dfor an y unuse dtransportatio n o r us e of th e vessel . I

f ther e i s n o availabl e reservatio n withi n on e year , yo u mus t provid e a refund . (f ) I f yo u tak e an y actio n unde r thi s sectio n that

restrict s apassenger' s transportatio n o r us e o f th e vessel , yo u must , o n th e passenger' s request , provid e awritte n explanatio n withi n 1 0 day s o f di e request .8 4

39.3 3 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o provid e amedica l certificate ? Excep t a s provide di n sectio n 39.3 1 o f thi s Part , yo u mus t

no t requir e apassenge r

with a disabilit y t o hav e amedica l certificat e a s aconditio n for bein g provide dtransportatio n o n you r vessel . 39.3 5 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e tha t h e o r sh e i s travelin g o n o r

usin g apassenge r

vesse l whe n n o particula r service s ar e sought ? A s aPVO , yo u mus t

no t requir e apassenge r

with adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e of th e fac t tha t h e o r sh e i s travelin g o n o r

usin g apassenge r

vesse l whe n th e passenge r i s no t seekin g particular

auxiliary aid s o r

services , o r

specia l privilege s o r

services , tha t

i n orde r t o b e provide dnee dt o b e arrange dbefor e th e passenge r arrive s t o boardth e vessel . Th e PV O alway s ha s a n obligatio n t o provid e effectiv e communicatio n betwee n th e PV O an dindividual s wh o ar e deaf o r har do f hearin g o r

blin do r visuall y impaire dthroug h th e us e o f appropriat e auxiliary aid s an dservices . 39.3 7 39.3 7 Ma y PVO s requir e apassenge r wit h adisabilit y t o provid e advanc e notic e i n orde r t o obtai n particula r

auxiliar y aid s an dservice s o r t o arrang e grou p travel ? (a ) Excep t

a s provide di n thi s section , a s aPV O yo u mus t no t requir e apassenge r

wit h a disability t o provid e advanc e notic e i n orde r t o obtai n service s o r

privilege s require db y thi s Part . (b ) I f 1 0 o r mor e passenger s with adisabilit y see k t o trave l a s agroup , yo u may requir e 7 2 hour s advanc e notic e for th e group' s travel . (c ) With respec t

t o providin g particular

auxiliary aid s an dservices , yo u ma y reques t reasonabl e advanc e notic e t o guarante e th e availabilit y o f thos e aid s o r

services .8 5

(d ) You r resei-vatio n an dothe r

administrativ e system s mus t ensur e that

whe n passenger s provid e th e advanc e notic e that you require , consisten t

with thi s section , fo

r service s an d privileges, , th e notic e i s communicated , clearl y an do n time , t o th e peopl e responsibl e fo r providin g th e requeste dservic e o r accommodation . 39.3 9 Ho w d o PVO s ensur e tha t passenger s wit h disabilitie s ar e abl e t o us e accessibl e cabins ? (a ) A s aPV O operatin g avesse l that ha s accessibl e cabins , yo u mus t follo w th e requirement s o f

thi s Part t o ensur e that

passenger s with disabilitie s wh o nee daccessibl e cabin s hav e nondiscriminator y acces s t o them . (b ) Yo u must , wit

h respec t t o reservation s mad e b y an y mean s (e.g. , telephone , internet , in person , o r

throug h athir dparty) : (1 ) Modif y you r policies , practices , o r

procedure s t o ensur e that individual s with disabilitie s can make reservation s for accessibl e cabin s durin g th e sam e hour s an di n th e sam e manne r a s individual s wh o d o not

nee daccessibl e cabins ; (2 ) Identif y an ddescrib e accessibl e feature s i n th e cabin s offere dthroug h you r reservation s servic e i n enoug h detai l t o permi t individual s wit

h disabilitie s t o asses s independend y whethe r a give n cabi n meet s hi s o r

he r accessibilit y needs . (3 ) Ensur e that

accessibl e cabin s ar e hel dfor us e b y individual s with disabilitie s unti l al l odie r cabin s i n that

clas s of servic e hav e bee n rented ; (4 ) Reserv e accessibl e cabin s upo n reques t b y apassenge r

wid i disabilitie s an densur e that th e specifi c accessibl e cabi n reserve db y that passenge r

i s hel dfor

hi mo r her , eve n yo u d o no t normall y hol dspecifi c cabin s for passenger s wh o make reservations .8 6

(c ) Yo u may releas e unsol daccessibl e cabin s t o person s withou t disabilitie s fo

r thei r ow n us e whe n al l othe r

cabin s i n th e sam e clas s o f servic e an dpric e fo

r avoyag e hav e bee n reserved . (d ) I f apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y seek s t o reserv e a n accessibl e cabi n i

n agive n clas s o f service , an dther e i s no t

a n availabl e accessibl e cabi n i n tha t clas s o f service , bu t

ther e i s a n availabl e accessibl e cabi n i n adifferent

clas s o f service , yo u mus t

allo w th e passenge r

t o reserv e tha t accessibl e cabi n a

t th e pric e o f

th e requeste dclas s o f

servic e o f

th e clas s of

servic e i n whic h th e accessibl e cabi n exists , whicheve r i s lower . (e ) A s aPVO , yo u ar e neve r require dt o den y transportatio n t o any passenge r wh o ha s alread y reserve dpassag e i n orde r t o accommodat e apassenge r with adisabilit y i n a

n accessibl e cabin . (f ) Yo u mus t

no t requir e proo f

o f disability , including , fo

r example , adoctor' s note , befor e reservin g a n accessibl e cabin . (g ) T o preven t

frau din th e assignmen t

o f accessibl e cabin s (e.g. , attempt s b y individual s wh o d o no t hav e disabilities t o reserv e accessibl e cabin s becaus e the y hav e greate r space , yo u — (1 ) mus t inquir e o f

person s seekin g t o reserv e suc h cabin s whethe r th e individua l (o r

a n individua l for

who mth e cabi n i s bein g reserved ) ha s amobility disabilit y o r adisabilit y that require s th e us e o

f th e accessibl e feature s that ar e provide di n th e cabin . (2 ) may requir e awritte n attestatio n fro mth e individua l that accessibl e cabi n i s for

aperso n wh o ha s amobilit y disabilit y o r adisabilit y that

requue s th e us e o f

th e accessibl e feature s that ar e provide di n th e cabin , (h ) Yo u mus t

investigat e th e potentia l misus e o f accessibl e cabin s wher e ther e i s goo dcaus e t o believ e that

suc h cabin s hav e bee n purchase dfraudulently , an dyo u ma y tak e appropriat e actio n agains t someon e wh o ha s reserve do r purchase dsuc h acabi n fraudulently . Fo r example , i

f a n8 7

individua l wh o doe s no t

hav e adisability reserve s a n accessibl e cabin , afte

r havin g atteste dthat h e o r sh e ha s amobility disability , yo u may den y transportatio n t o th e individual .

39.4 1 Ma y apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y b e require dt o trave l wit h anothe r person ? (a ) Yo u mus t

not requir e that

apassenge r

with adisabilit y trave l with anothe r perso n a s a conditio n of

bein g provide dtransportatio n o n o r us e o f apassenge r

vessel . (b ) You r personne l ar e no t

require dt o performpersona l task s (e.g. , assistin g with eating , dressing , toileting ) for

apassenger . 39.4 3 Ma y PVO s impos e specia l charge s o n passenger s wit h adisabilit y fo r providin g service s require db y thi s rule ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

no t charg e highe r

fares , surcharges , o r

othe r fee s t o passenger s with adisabilit y tha t

ar e no t impose do n othe r

passenger s for

transportatio n o r

us e o f di e vessel . (b ) I f th e accommodation s o n avesse l that ar e accessibl e t o passenger s with adisabilit y ar e availabl e onl y i n atyp e o r clas s o f servic e o r

part o f avesse l that

ar e mor e expensiv e tha n th e typ e o r clas s o f servic e o r

part o f avesse l that

th e passenge r

requests , yo u mus t

provid e th e accessibl e accommodatio n a t th e pric e o f

th e typ e o r

clas s o f servic e o r

facility that

th e passenge r requests . (c ) Yo u mus t

no t impos e special o r

extr acharge s for

providin g facilities , equipment , o r service s tha

t thi s rul e require s t o b e provide dt o passenger s wit h adisability .8 8

39.4 5 Ma y PVO s impos e othe r restriction s o n passenger s wit h adisabilit y tha t the y d o no t impos e o n othe r

passengers ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

no t subjec t passenger s with adisabilit y t o restriction s that d o no t appl y t o othe r

passengers , excep t

a s otherwis e explicitl y permitte di n thi s Part . (b ) Restriction s yo u mus t no t impos e o n passenger s with adisability include , bu t ar e no t limite dto , th e following : (1 ) Restrictin g passengers ' movemen t withi n th e vesse l o r

aterminal ; (2 ) Requirin g passenger s t o remai n i n aholdin g are ao r othe r locatio n in orde r

t o receiv e transportatio n o r

services ; (4 ) Requirin g passenger s t o wea r badge s o r

othe r specia l identification ; o r (5 ) Requirin g ambulatory passengers , includin g but no t limite dt o blin do r

visuall y impaire dpassengers , t o us e awheelchai r o r othe r mobilit y devic e i n orde r

t o receiv e assistanc e require db y thi s Part

o r otherwis e offere dt o th e passenger . (c ) Specia l muste r

station s for

disable dindividual s ar e permissibl e for emergenc y evacuation s i n orde r

t o centrall y locat e availabl e resources .

39.4 7 Ma y PVO s requir e passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o sig n waiver s o r releases ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

not requir e passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o sig n an y releas e o r waive r o f liability no t

require do f

al l passenger s i n orde r

t o receiv e transportatio n o r us e o f a vesse l o r t o receiv e service s relatin g t o adisability . (b ) Yo u mus t

no t requir e passenger s wit

h adisabilit y t o sig n waiver s of liabilit y for damag e t o o r

los s o f wheelchair s o r

othe r mobilit y o r

assistive devices .8 9

Subpar t C - Informatio n fo r

Passenger s 39.5 1 Wha t

i s th e genera l requiremen t fo r PVOs ' provisio n of

auxiliar y aid s an dservice s t o passengers ? (a ) I f yo u ar e aPV O that

i s apubli c entity , yo u mus t furnis h appropriat e auxiliary aid s an dservice s wher e necessary t o affor da n individua l with adisabilit y a n equa l opportunity t o participat e in , an denjo y th e benefit s of , aservice , progra mo r

activity . In determinin g what typ e o f auxiliary ai do r

servic e i s necessary , yo u mus t giv e primary consideratio n t o th e request s o f individual s with disabilities . (b ) I f yo u ar e aPV O tha t

i s aprivat e entity , yo u mus t furnis h appropriat e auxiliary aid s o r service s wher e necessary t o ensur e effectiv e communicatio n with individual s with disabilities . (c ) I f aprovisio n o f

aparticular

auxiliary ai do r

servic e woul dresul t

i n afundamental alteratio n i n th e natur e o f th e goods , services , facilities , privileges , advantages , o r accommodation s bein g offere do r i n a n undu e burden , yo u shal l provid e a n alternativ e auxiliary ai do r service , i f on e exists, that

woul dno t

resul t i n afundamental alteratio n o r undu e burde n but woul dnevertheles s ensur e that , t o di e maximu mexten t possible , individual s with disabilitie s receiv e th e goods , services , facilities , privileges , advantages , o r accommodation s yo u offer . (d ) A s aPVO , it

i s you r responsibility , no t

that of apassenge r

wit h adisability , t o provid e neede dauxiliary aid s an dservices . 39.5 3 Wha t

informatio n mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisability ? A s aPVO , yo u mus t

provid e th e followin g informatio n t o individual s wh o self-identif y a s havin g adisability (includin g thos e wh o ar e deaf o r hardof hearin g o r

wh o ar e blin do r visuall y impaired ) o r

wh o reques t

disability-relate dinformation , o r person s makin g inquirie s o n9 0

th e behal f o f suc h persons . Th e informatio n yo u provid e must , t o th e maximu mexten t feasible , b e specifi c t o th e vesse l aperso n i s seekin g t o trave l o n o r use . (a ) Th e availability o f

accessibl e facilitie s o n th e vesse l including , but not limite dto , mean s o f boardin g th e vessel , toile t rooms , staterooms , decks , dining , an drecreationa l facilities . (b ) Any limitation s of

th e usability of

th e vesse l o r

portion s o f

th e vesse l b y peopl e wit

h mobilit y impairments ; \ ( c ) An y limitation s o n th e accessibilit y o f boardin g an ddisembarkin g a t port s a t whic h th e vesse l wil l cal l (e.g. , becaus e o f th e us e o f

inaccessibl e lighter s o r

tender s a s th e mean s o f comin g t o o r

fro mth e vessel) ; (d ) An y limitation s o n th e accessibilit y o f service s o r

tour s ancillary t o th e transportatio n provide db y th e vesse l concernin g whic h th e PV O make s arrangement s availabl e t o passengers ; (d ) An y limitation s o n th e ability o f apassenge r

t o tak e aservic e animal of f th e vesse l a

t foreig n port s a

t whic h th e vesse l wil l cal l (e.g. , becaus e o f quarantin e regulations ) an dprovision s for th e car e o f

an anima l acceptabl e t o th e PV O tha t th e passenge r

mus t mee t whe n th e passenge r disembark s a

t apor t a t whic h th e animal mus t

remai n aboar dth e vessel . (e ) Th e services , includin g auxiliary aid s an dservices , availabl e t o individual s wh o ar e dea f o r har do f hearin g o r

blin do r visuall y impaired . (b ) An y limitation s o n th e abilit y of th e vesse l t o accommodat e passenger s with adisability . (c ) An y limitation s o n th e accessibilit y o f boardin g an ddisembarkin g at port s a t whic h th e vesse l wil l cal l an dservice s o r tour s ancillary t o th e transportatio n provide db y th e vesse l concernin g whic h th e PV O make s arrangement s availabl e t o passengers .9 1

39.5 5 Mus t

informatio n an dreservatio n service s o f PVO s b e accessibl e t o individual s wit h hearin g o r

vision impairments ? Thi s sectio n applie s t o informatio n an dreservatio n service s mad e availabl e t o person s i n th e Unite dStates . (a ) If , a s aPVO , yo u provid e telephon e reservatio n o r informatio n servic e t o th e public , yo u mus t mak e thi s servic e availabl e t o individual s wh o ar e deaf o r hard-of-hearin g an dwh o us e atex t telephon e (TTY ) o r

aTT Y rela y servic e (TRS) . (1 ) Yo u mus t

mak e servic e t o TTY/TR S user s availabl e durin g th e sam e hour s a s telephon e servic e for

th e genera l public . (2 ) Your respons e tim e t o TTY/TR S call s mus t b e equivalen t

t o your respons e tim e for you r telephon e servic e t o th e genera l public . (3 ) Yo u mus t

mee t thi s requiremen t

b y [dat e on e year

fro mth e effectiv e dat e o f thi s Part] . (b ) If

, a s aPVO , yo u provid e writte n (i.e. , har dcopy ) informatio n t o th e public , yo u mus t ensur e that

thi s informatio n i s abl e t o b e communicate deffectively , o n request , t o persons with vision impairments . Yo u mus t provid e thi s informatio n i n th e sam e languages(s ) i n whic h yo u mak e i t

availabl e t o th e genera l public . 39.5 7 Mus t

PVO s mak e copie s o f

thi s rul e availabl e t o passengers ? A s aPVO , yo u mus t

kee p acurren t

cop y o f thi s Part o n eac h vesse l an deac h U.S . por t o r termina l yo u serv e an dmak e i t availabl e t o passenger s o n request . I f yo u ar e a n entity that

doe s no t receiv e Federal financial assistance , yo u ar e not require dt o mak e thi s cop y availabl e i n9 2

language s othe r

than , English . Yo u mus t make i t availabl e i

n accessibl e fonnat s o n request , subjec t t o th e provision s of

sectio n 39.51(c) . Subpar t D - Accessibilit y o f

Landsid e Facilitie s 39.6 1 - Wha t

requirement s mus t

PVO s mee t

concernin g th e accessibilit y o f terminal s an d othe r landsid e facilities ? A s aPVO , yo u mus t

compl y with th e followin g requirement s with respec t t o al l termina l an dothe r landsid e facilitie s yo u own , lease , o r contro l i n th e Unite dState s (includin g it s territories , possessions , an dcommonwealths) : (a ) Wit h respec t t o ne w facilities , yo u mus t d o di e following : (1 ) Yo u mus t

ensur e tha t

termina l facilitie s ar e readil y accessibl e t o an dusabl e b y individual s wit

h disabilities , includin g individual s wh o us e wheele dmobility assistiv e devices . Yo u ar e deeme dt o compl y with thi s obligatio n i f th e facilitie s mee t

th e requirement s o f

4 9 CF R Par t 37 , §37.9 , an dth e standard s reference di n tha t section . (2 ) You mus t

ensur e that

ther e i s a n accessibl e rout e betwee n th e termina l o r othe r passenge r waitin g are aan dth e boardin g ramp o r devic e use dfo

r th e vessel . A n accessibl e rout e i s on e meetin g th e requirement s o f th e standard s reference di n 4 9 CFRPart 37 , §37.9 . (b ) Whe n afacility i s altered , th e altere dportio n mus t mee t th e sam e standard s that

woul d appl y t o ane w facility , (c ) Wit h respec t t o a n existin g facility , you r

obligation s ar e th e following : (1 ) I f you ar e apubli c entity , yo u mus t ensur e that

you r terminal s an dothe r

landsid e facilitie s mee t

programaccessibilit y requirements , consisten t wit h Departmen t

o f Justic e requirement s a

t 2 8 CFR35.150 .9 3

(2 ) I f you ar e aprivat e entity , yo u ar e require dto remov e architectura l barrier s wher e doin g s o i s readil y achievable , i.e. , easil y accomplishabl e an dabl e to carrie dou t withou t muc h difficult y o r expense , consisten t

with Departmen t

o f Justic e requirement s a

t 2 8 CFR36.30 4 or , i

f no t readil y achievable , ensur e that you r goods , services , facilities , privileges , advantages , o r accommodation s ar e availabl e throug h alternativ e method s i f thos e method s ar e readil y achievable , consisten t

with Departmen t

o f Justic e regulation s at

28.36.305 . (d ) Wher e yo u shar e responsibilit y for ensurin g accessibilit y o f afacility with anothe r entity , yo u an dth e othe r

entit y ar e jointl y an dseverall y responsibl e for meetin g applicabl e accessibility requirements . 39.6 3 Wha t

modification s an dauxiliar y aid s an dservice s ar e require da t terminal s an d othe r landsid e facilitie s fo r

individual s wit h hearin g o r visio n impairments ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

ensur e that

th e informatio n yo u provid e t o th e genera l publi c at terminal s an dothe r

landsid e facilitie s i s effectivel y communicate dt o individual s wh o ar e blin do r wh o hav e impaire dvisio n an ddeaf o r hard-of-hearin g individuals , throug h th e us e o f auxiliary aid s an dservices . T o th e exten t that thi s informatio n i s no t

avaUabl e t o thes e individual s throug h accessibl e signag e and/o r verba l publi c addres s announcement s o r othe r mean s , you r

personne l mus t

promptl y provid e th e informatio n t o suc h individual s o n thei r request , in language s (e.g. , English , Norwegian , Japanese ) i n whic h th e informatio n i s provide d t o th e genera l public .

(b ) Th e type s of

informatio n yo u mus t

mak e availabl e include , bu t ar e no t limite dto , informatio n concernin g ticketing, fares , schedule s an ddelays , an dth e checkin g an dclaimin g o f luggage .9 4

Subpar t E - Accessibilit y o f

Vessel s [RESERVED ] Subpar t F- - Assistanc e an dService s t o Passenger s wit h Disabilitie s
39.8 1 Wha t

assistanc e mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y i n gettin g t o an d fro mapassenge r

vessel ? (a ) A s aPVO , i

f yo u provide , contrac t

for , o r otherwis e arrang e for

transportatio n t o an d fro mapassenge r

vesse l i n th e U.S . (e.g. , abu s transfe r fro ma n airport t o avesse l terminal) , yo u mus t ensur e that

th e transfe r

servic e i s accessibl e t o an dusabl e b y individual s with disabilities , a s require db y thi s Part . (b ) Yo u mus t

als o provid e assistanc e requeste db y o r o n behal f o f apassenge r

with a disabilit y i n movin g betwee n th e termina l entranc e (o r avehicl e drop-of

f poin t adjacen t t o th e entrance ) o f

atermina l in th e U.S . an dth e plac e wher e peopl e get o n o r of f th e passenge r

vessel . Thi s requiremen t

include s assistanc e i n accessin g ke y functional area s o f th e terminal , suc h a s ticke t counter s an dbaggag e checking/claim . I t als o include s abrie f

sto p upo n reques t

a t a n accessibl e toile t

room . 39.8 3 Wha t

ar e PVOs ' obligation s fo r assistin g passenger s wit h adisabilit y i n gettin g o n an dot f apassenge r

vessel ? (a ) I f apassenge r

with adisabilit y can readil y ge t o n o r of f apassenge r

vesse l withou t assistance , yo u ar e no t

require dt o provid e suc h assistanc e t o th e passenger . Yo u mus t no t9 5

requir e suc h apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y to accep t

assistanc e fromyo u in gettin g o n o r of f th e vesse l unles s i t

i s provide dt o al l passenger s a s amatte r o f course . (b ) Wit h respec t t o apassenge r

with adisabilit y wh o i s no t abl e t o ge t

o n o r of f a passenge r vesse l withou t

assistance , yo u mus t

promptl y provid e assistanc e that ensure s that

th e passenge r ca n ge t o n o r of f th e vessel . (c ) Whe n you hav e t o provid e assistanc e t o apassenge r wit h adisabilit y i n gettin g o n o r of f apassenge r

vessel , yo u may us e any availabl e mean s t o whic h th e passenge r consent s (e.g. , lifts , ramps , boardin g chairs , assistanc e b y vesse l persormel) . 39.8 5 Wha t

service s mus t

PVO s provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n boar da passenge r

vessel ? A s aPVO , yo u mus t

provid e service s o n boar dth e vesse l a s requeste db y o r o n behal f o f passenger s with adisability , o r whe n offere db y PV O personne l an daccepte db y passenger s wit h adisability , a s follows : (a ) Assistanc e in movin g abou t th e vessel , wit

h respec t t o any physica l barrier s renderin g a n are ano t readil y accessibl e an dusabl e t o th e passenger . (b ) I f foo di s provide dt o passenger s o n th e vessel , assistanc e i n preparatio n for eating , suc h a s openin g package s an didentifyin g food ; (c ) Effectiv e communicatio n with passenger s wh o hav e vision impairment s o r wh o ar e deaf o r hard-of-hearing , s o that

thes e passenger s hav e timel y acces s t o informatio n th e PV O provide s t o othe r

passenger s (e.g. , weather , on-boar dservices , delays) .9 6

39.8 7 Wha t

service s ar e PVO s no t

require dt o provid e t o passenger s wit h adisabilit y o n boar dapassenge r

vessel ? A s aPVO , yo u ar e no t

require dt o provid e extensiv e specia l assistanc e t o passenger s wit h adisability . Fo r

purpose s o f

thi s section , extensiv e special assistanc e include s th e followin g activities : (a ) Assistanc e i n actua l eating ; (b ) Assistanc e withi n atoile t roo mo r assistanc e elsewher e o n th e vesse l with eliminatio n functions ; an d (c ) Provisio n o f

medica l equipmen t

o r services , o r

persona l devices , excep t t o th e exten t provide dt o al l passengers . 39.8 9 Wha t

requirement s appl y t o on-boar dsafet y briefings , information , an ddrills ? A s aPVO , yo u mus t

compl y with th e followin g requirement s with respec t t o safet y briefings , information , o r drill s provide dt o passengers : (a ) Yo u mus t

provid e th e briefing s o r

othe r safety-relate dinformatio n throug h mean s that effectivel y communicat e thei r conten t t o persons wit

h visio n o r

hearing impairments , usin g auxiliary aid s an dservice s wher e necessar y for effectiv e communication . Thi s include s providin g writte n material s i n alternativ e format s that person s with visio n impairment s ca n use . (b ) Yo u mus t

no t requir e an y passenge r

with adisabilit y t o demonstrat e tha t h e o r sh e ha s listene dto , read , o r

understoo dth e informatio n presented , excep t t o di e exten t

that yo u impose suc h arequiremen t o n al l passengers . Yo u mus t no t tak e an y actio n advers e t o a qualifie dindividua l wit

h adisabilit y o n th e basi s that th e perso n ha s not

"accepted " th e briefing .9 7

(c ) A s aPVO , i

f yo u presen t

on-boar dsafet

y briefing s t o passenger s o n vide o screens , yo u mus t ensur e that

th e safety-vide o presentatio n i s accessibl e t o passenger s wid i impaire d hearing (e.g. , throug h us e of captionin g o r

placemen t

o f asig n languag e interprete r i n th e video) . (d ) Yo u mus t

provid e whateve r

assistanc e i s necessary t o enabl e passenger s with disabilities t o participat e full y i n safet y o r emergenc y evacuatio n drill s provide dt o al l passengers . (e ) Yo u mus t

maintai n evacuatio n programs, information , an dequipmen t in location s that passenger s can readil y acces s an duse . 39.9 1 Mus t

PVO s permi t

passenger s wit h adisabilit y t o trave l wit h servic e animals ? (a ) A s aPVO , you mus t

permi t servic e animal s t o accompan y passenger s with a disability . (b ) Yo u mus t

permi t th e servic e anima l t o accompan y th e passenge r i n al l location s that passenger s can us e o n avessel , includin g i n lifeboats . (c ) Yo u mus t

permi t th e passenge r

accompanie db y th e servic e anima l t o brin g aboar da reasonabl e quantit y o f

foo dfor th e anima l aboar dth e vesse l at n o additiona l charge . I

f you r vesse l provide s overnigh t accommodations , yo u mus t als o provid e reasonabl e refrigeratio n spac e for th e servic e anima l food . (d ) Yo u mus t

accep t th e followin g a s evidenc e that a n anima l i s aservic e animal : identificatio n cards , othe r writte n documentation , presenc e o f harnesses , tags , and/o r

th e credibl e verba l assurance s o f

apassenge r

wit h adisabilit y usin g th e animal . (e ) I f th e lega l requirement s o f aforeig n governmen t

(e.g. , quarantin e regulations ) d o no t permi t aservic e animal t o disembark a t aforeig n port , a s aPV O yo u may requir e th e anima l9 8

t o remai n o n boar dwhil e it s use r leave s th e vessel . You mus t wor k wit h th e animal' s use r

to ensur e that

th e anima l i s properl y care dfo r durin g th e user' s absence . 39.9 3 Wha t

wheelchair s an dothe r

assistiv e device s ma y passenger s wit h adisabilit y brin g ont o apassenge r

vessel ? (a ) A s aPV O subjec t

to Title III o f

th e ADA , yo u mus t

permi t individual s with mobilit y disabilities t o us e wheelchair s an dmanually-powere dmobilit y aids , suc h a s walkers , crutches , canes , braces , o r othe r similar device s designe dfor

us e b y individual s wit h mobilit y disabilities i n an y area s ope n t o pedestria n use . (b ) (1 ) A s A PV O subjec t t o Title II I o f

th e ADA , yo u mus t

mak e reasonabl e modification s i n you r

policies , practices , o r

procedure s t o permi t

th e us e o f

othe r power-drive n mobility device s b y individual s with mobility disabilities , unles s yo u can demonstrat e tha t a devic e canno t

b e operate do n boar dth e vesse l consisten t wit h legitimat e safet

y requirement s yo u hav e establishe dfor

th e vessel . (2) . In determinin g whethe r aparticular

othe r power-drive n mobilit y devic e ca n b e allowe do n aspecifi c vesse l a s areasonabl e modificatio n unde r (b)(1) , th e PV O mus t

consider : (i ) Th e type , size , weight , dimensions , an dspee do f th e device ; (ii ) Th e vessel' s volum e o f pedestria n traffi c (whic h may var y at different time s o f th e day , week , month , o r

year) ; (iii ) Th e vessel' s desig n an doperationa l characteristic s (e.g. , th e siz e an dbalanc e requirement s o f

th e vessel , th e density an dplacemen t of stationary devices , an dth e availabilit y of storag e for

th e device , i

f requeste db y th e user) ;9 9

(iv ) Wliethe r

legitimat e safet

y requirement s can b e establishe dt o permi t th e saf e operatio n o f

adevic e in th e specifi c vessel ; an d (c ) (1 ) A s a.PV O subjec t to Title III o f

th e ADA , yo u mus t

no t as k a n individua l usin g a wheelchai r

o r othe r power-drive n mobility devic e question s abou t th e natur e an dexten t

o f th e individual' s disability . (2 ) You_ma

y as k aperso n usin g a

n othe r power-drive n mobilit y devic e t o provid e a credibl e assuranc e that

th e mobilit y devic e i s require dbecaus e o f th e person' s disability . In respons e t o thi s inquiry , yo u mus t accep t th e presentatio n o f

avalid . State-issue ddisabilit y parkin g placar do r

card , o r State-issue dproo f

of disabilit y a s acredibl e assuranc e tha t th e us e o f th e othe r power-drive n mobilit y devic e i s for th e individual' s mobilit y disability . In lie u o f a valid . State-issue ddisabdit y parkin g placar do r card , o r State-issue dproo f

o f disability , aPV O shal l accep t

a s acredibl e assuranc e averba l representation no t contradicte db y observabl e fact , that th e othe r power-drive n mobility devic e i s bein g use dfor amobilit y disability . (d ) A s aPV O subjec t

t o Title I I o f

th e ADA , yo u mus t

follo w th e requirement s o f paragraph s (a) ( - (c ) o f

thi s section , h i addition , an y restrictio n yo u impos e o n th e us e o f a n othe r powere dmobilit y devic e o n you r vesse l mus t

b e limite dt o th e minimu mnecessar y t o mee t alegitimat e safet

y requirement . Fo r

example , i

f adevic e can b e accommodate di n som e space s o f th e vesse l but

no t other s becaus e o f

alegitimat e safet

y requirement , yo u coul dno t completel y exclud e th e devic e fro mth e vessel . (e ) A s aPVO , yo u ar e no t require dt o permi t

passenger s wid i adisabilit y t o brin g wheelchair s o r

othe r powere dmobility device s int o lifeboat s o r othe r surviva l craft , i n th e contex t o f a n emergenc y evacuatio n o f th e vessel .10 0

39.9 5 Ma y PVO s limi t

thei r liabilit y fo r

los s o f o r damag e t o wheelchair s o r othe r assistiv e devices ? Consisten t

wit h any applicabl e requirement s o f internationa l law , yo u mus t no t appl y an y liability limit s wid i respec t t o los s o f o r damag e t o wheele dmobility assistiv e device s o r othe r assistive devices . Th e criterio n for calculatin g th e compensatio n for alost , damaged , o r destroye dwheelchai r

o r othe r assistive devic e i s th e origina l purchas e pric e o f th e device . Subpar t G -Complaint s an dEnforcemen t Procedure s 39.10 1 Wha t

ar e th e requirement s fo r providin g Complaint s Resolutio n Officials ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

designat e on e o r

mor e Complaint s Resolutio n Official s (CROs) . (b ) Yo u mus t

make aCR O availabl e for contac t o n eac h vesse l an da

t eac h termina l that yo u serve . Th e CR O ma y b e mad e availabl e i n perso n o r vi atelephone , i

f a t n o cos t t o th e passenger . I

f atelephon e link

t o th e CR O i s used , TT Y o r TR S servic e mus t

b e availabl e s o that person s with hearing impairment s may readil y communicat e with th e CRO . Yo u mus t mak e CR O servic e availabl e in th e language(s ) i n whic h yo u mak e you r othe r service s availabl e t o th e genera l public . (c ) Yo u mus t

make passenger s with adisabilit y awar e o f th e availability o f

aCR O an d ho w t o contac t

th e CR O i n th e followin g circumstances : (1 ) In an y situatio n i n whic h an y perso n complain s o r raise s aconcern with you r persorme l abou t

discrimination , policies, , o r service s with respec t

t o passenger s with adisability , an dyou r personne l d o no t

immediatel y resolv e th e issu e t o th e customer' s satisfactio n o r provid e arequeste daccommodation , you r persorme l mus t

immediatel y infor

mth e passenge r

o f th e righ t t o contac t aCR O an dth e locatio n and/o r phon e numbe r

of th e CR O availabl e o n th e vesse l o r at10 1

th e terminal . You r

personne l mus t

provid e thi s informatio n to th e passenge r i n aforma

t h e o r sh e can use . (2 ) You r reservatio n agents , contractors , an dweb site s mus t provid e informatio n equivalen t

t o that require db y paragrap h (c)(1 ) o f thi s sectio n t o passenger s with adisabilit y usin g thos e services . (d ) Eac h CR O mus t

b e thoroughl y familia

r with th e requirement s o f thi s Par t an dth e PVO' s procedure s with respec t t o passenger s with adisability . Th e CR O i s intende dt o b e th e PVO' s "expert " i n complianc e wit h th e requirement s o f

thi s Part . (e ) Yo u mus t

ensur e dia t

eac h o f you r CRO s ha s th e authority t o mak e dispositiv e resolutio n o f

complaint s o n behal f

of th e PVO . Thi s mean s that th e CR O mus t

hav e th e powe r

t o overrul e th e decisio n o f

an y othe r

persormel , excep t

that th e CR O may not

b e give n authority t o counterman dadecisio n of th e maste r

o f avesse l with respec t

t o safet y matters .

39.10 3 Wha t

action s d o CRO s tak e o n complaints ? Whe n acomplain t

i s mad e directl y t o aCR O (e.g. , orally , b y phone , TTY ) th e CR O mus t promptl y tak e dispositiv e actio n a s follows : (a ) I f th e complain t

i s mad e t o aCR O before th e actio n o r propose dactio n o f

PV O personne l ha s resulte di n aviolatio n o f aprovisio n o f

thi s Part , th e CR O mus t

take , o r direc t othe r PV O personne l t o take , whateve r actio n i s necessary t o ensur e complianc e wit h thi s Part . (b ) I f a n allege dviolatio n o f

aprovisio n o f

thi s Part ha s alread y occurred , an dth e CR O agree s that

aviolatio n ha s occurred , th e CR O mus t provid e t o th e complainan t awritte n statemen t settin g fort

h asummary o f

th e fact s an dwha

t steps , i f any , th e PV O propose s t o tak e i n respons e t o th e violation .10 2

(c ) I f th e CR O determine s that di e PVO' s actio n doe s no t violat e aprovisio n o f

thi s Part , th e CR O mus t

provid e t o th e complainan t awritte n statemen t

includin g asummary o f

th e fact s an dth e reasons , unde r

thi s Part , fo

r th e determination . (d ) Th e statement s require dt o b e provide dunde r thi s sectio n mus t

informth e complainan t

o f hi s o r he r righ t t o complai n t o th e Departmen t o f Transportatio n and/o r Departmen t

o f Justice . Th e CR O mus t provid e th e statemen t

i n perso n t o th e complainan t i n perso n if possible ; otherwise , i t

mus t b e transmitte dt o th e complainan t withi n 1 0 calendar

day s of th e complaint . 39.10 5 Ho w mus t

PVO s respon dt o writte n complaints ? (a ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

respon dt o writte n complaint s receive db y an y mean s (e.g. , letter , fax , e-mail , electroni c instan t message) concernin g matter s covere db y thi s Part . (b ) A passenge r

makin g awritte n complaint , mus t stat e whethe r

h e o r sh e ha dcontacte da CR O i n th e matter , provid e th e nam e o f th e CR O an dth e dat e o f

th e contact , i

f available, an d enclos e an y writte n respons e receive dfro mth e CRO . (c ) A s aPVO , yo u ar e not require dt o respon dt o acomplain t fro mapassenge r postmarke do r

transmitte dmor e tha n 4 5 day s afte r th e dat e o f

di e incident . (d ) A s aPVO , yo u mus t

mak e adispositiv e writte n respons e t o awritte n disabilit y complain t withi n 3 0 day s o f

it s receipt . Th e respons e mus t specificall y admit

o r den y that a violatio n o f

dii s Part ha s occurred. Th e respons e mus t b e effectivel y communicate dt o th e recipient .10 3

(1 ) I f yo u admi t

that aviolatio n ha s occurred , yo u mus t provid e t o th e complainan t a writte n statemen t

settin g fort

h asummary o f

th e fact s an dth e steps , i

f any , yo u wil l tak e i n respons e t o th e violation . (2 ) I f yo u den y that

aviolatio n ha s occurred , you r respons e mus t

includ e asummary o f th e fact s an dyou r

reasons , unde r

thi s Part , for

th e determination . (3 ) You r respons e mus t

als o infor

mth e complainan t

of hi s o r he r righ t t o pursu e DO T o r DO J enforcemen t

actio n unde r

thi s Part , a s applicable . DO T ha s enforcemen t authority unde r Titl e II o f th e AD A for

publi c entitie s an dunde r sectio n 50 4 o f

th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t

for entitie s that receiv e Federa l financial assistance ; DO J ha s enforcemen t authorit y unde r

Titl e II I o f

th e AD A for privat e entities . 39.10 7 Wher e ma y person s obtai n assistanc e wit h matter s covere db y thi s regulatio n ? A passenger , PVO , o r

an y othe r

perso n may obtai n information , guidance , o r othe r assistanc e concernin g 4 9 CF RPart 3 9 fro mthe n DO T Departmenta l Offic e o f Civi l Right s and/o r DO T Offic e o f

Genera l Counsel , 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenue , SE , Washington , D C 20590 . 39.10 9 Wha t

enforcemen t

action s ma y b e take n unde r thi s Part ? (a ) Th e Departmen t

o f Transportatio n investigate s complaint s an dconduct s review s o r othe r inquirie s int o th e complianc e wit h thi s Part

o f PVO s that

ar e Titl e I I entities . (b ) A s aPV O subjec t

t o Titl e II o f

th e ADA , yo u mus t

b e prepare dt o provid e t o th e Departmen t

o f Transportatio n awritte n explanatio n o f you r actio n i n an y situatio n i n whic h yo u exclud e o r

restric t a n individua l wit

h adisabilit y o r

any mobility o r

othe r assistiv e devic e use d b y suc h a n individua l wit

h respec t t o th e us e of

you r vessel .10 4 ( c ) Th e Departmen t

o f Transportatio n investigate s complaint s conduct s complianc e review s o r

othe r inquirie s int o th e complianc e o f thi s Part o f PVOs , whethe r

privat e o r

publi c entities , that

receiv e Federa l financial assistanc e fro mth e Department , unde r sectio n 50 4 o f

th e Rehabilitatio n Ac t

of 1973 , a s amended . (d ) Th e Departmen t

ma y refer

an y matte r

concernin g th e complianc e o f PVO s with thi s Par t t o th e Departmen t

o f Justic e for

enforcemen t

action . (e ) Th e Departmen t

o f Justic e investigate s complaint s an dconduct s review s o r othe r inquirie s int o th e complianc e with thi s Part o f PVO s that

ar e Titl e II I entities . (f ) Th e Departmen t

o f Justic e may fil e sui t

i n Federa l cour t

agains t both Titl e I I an dTitl e II I PVO s for

violation s o f

dii s Part. "