[Federal Register: August 19, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 160)]
[Notices]
[Page 53837-53838]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au02-106]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket Number: MARAD-2002-13142]
Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.
[[Page 53838]]
ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative
waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel TEXAS CREWED.
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SUMMARY: As authorized by Public Law 105-383, the Secretary of
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 Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR
Part 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 September 18, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2002-13142.
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: Kathleen Dunn, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR-832 Room 7201, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-2307.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title V of Public Law 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 (no more 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
commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver
criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD'S regulations at 46 CFR part 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: TEXAS CREWED. Owner: David Michael Wells.
(2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the
applicant: ``Gross tonnage is 29 Tons, 26 Net Tons, 46 feet in length
overall.''
(3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: ``Intentions
are to charter for hire with not more than 12 passengers. Geographic
region to include if authorized, all Florida coastal waters and U.S.
Virgin Islands Coastal waters.''
(4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding.
Date of construction: 1978. Place of construction: Caching, Republic of
Taiwan.
(5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: ``I
believe impact on other passenger vessels within this region to be
negligible, as there appears to be more business in the environment
than operators can handle. It is difficult to determine the number of
existing operators within the applied for regions. Apparently there are
not enough based on the regular occurrence of invitations I receive to
sail for hire.''
(6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S.
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``U.S. Shipyards and boatyards
will benefit from this venture in the area of TEXAS CREWED's normal
haul out schedule of 1 year to 18 months for cleaning and anti fouling
renewal. Increased wear and tear from charter operations will
undoubtedly result in more extensive and frequent haul outs thus
increasing revenue gains to local U.S. shipyard and repair
facilities.''
Dated: August 14, 2002.
By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-21008 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P