[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20843-20844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9682]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2000-7245]


Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative 
waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel YANKEE.

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SUMMARY: As authorized by Public Law 105-383, the Secretary of

[[Page 20844]]

Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 
is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S. build requirement of the 
coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver 
has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a description of the 
proposed service, is listed below. Interested parties may comment on 
the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses 
in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines that in 
accordance with Pub.L. 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR 388 
(65 FR 6905; February 11, 2000) that the issuance of the waiver will 
have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business 
that uses U.S.-flag vessels, a waiver will not be granted.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2000-7245. 
Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket 
Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, Department of Transportation, 400 
7th St., SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You may also send comments 
electronically via the Internet at http://dmses.dot.gov/submit/. All 
comments will become part of this docket and will be available for 
inspection and copying at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
E.T., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. An electronic 
version of this document and all documents entered into this docket is 
available on the World Wide Web at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hokana, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR 832 Room 7201, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-0760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title V of P.L. 105-383 provides authority 
to the Secretary of Transportation to administratively waive the U.S.-
build requirements of the Jones Act, and other statutes, for small 
commercial passenger vessels (less than 12 passengers). This authority 
has been delegated to the Maritime Administration per 49 CFR 1.66, 
Delegations to the Maritime Administrator, as amended. By this notice, 
MARAD is publishing information on a vessel for which a request for a 
U.S.-build waiver has been received, and for which MARAD requests 
comments from interested parties. Comments should refer to the docket 
number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to 
properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the 
commentor's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver 
criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD'S regulations at 46 CFR 388.

Vessel Proposed for Waiver of the U.S.-Build Requirement

    (1) Name of vessel and owner for which waiver is requested:
    Name of vessel: YANKEE Owner: Yankee Sailing LLC.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel: According to the 
Applicant ``50' 7'' OAL, Breadth 15.6', draft 4.4' Gross tonnage 12 
tons, Net Tonnage 11. Tons, Displacement 38 tons. (Title 46 U.S.C. 
simplified measurement system.)''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: ``Intended 
use, Geographic area: Carrying passengers for hire for coastal sailing 
excursions for sail and navigational training purposes where passengers 
are encouraged and taught to participate in the operation of the 
vessel. Pending USCG certification of the vessel these excursions will 
involve 6 passengers or less. If certification is obtained under this 
waiver, the number of passengers will not exceed 12 passengers. Current 
plans are to operate the vessel along the Northeast coast between New 
York and Eastport Maine. It is intended that the center of operation 
will be out of New London CT.''
    (4) Date and place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1959, place of construction: Scheepswerf 
Westhaven, Zaadam, Holland.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: 
``The impact would be minimal. There are currently no sailing vessels 
carrying passengers out of the New London harbor. Neighboring harbors 
that have commercial sailing vessels are mostly offering day trips of 
two to three hours as opposed to inter port excursions.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``Since the vessel was purchased 
by the current owner and documented as a U.S. vessel in January of 
1999, over $50,000 dollars has been spent on the vessel in local boat 
yards and on U.S. manufactured wiring, plumbing and electronics 
products. If the vessel can establish itself in the area as a 
successful small business with USCG certification it will continue to 
require the services of the local marine industry here in eastern 
Connecticut.''

    Dated: April 13, 2000.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-9682 Filed 4-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P