[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 97 (Friday, July 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           WAIVER TO THE MERCHANT MARINE'S JONES ACT OF 1886

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                        HON. JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 22, 1994

  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of legislation that I 
introduced today, which is essential to the business of my constituent 
from Boston, Mr. Charles Moretto. Mr. Moretto is the owner and operator 
of Fleet Yacht Charters, Inc., which provides chartered boat tours of 
Boston Harbor and the surrounding areas.
  This legislation would grant Mr. Moretto a waiver to the Merchant 
Marine's Jones Act of 1886, for one of his vessels, the Lady Helen. 
Because the Lady Helen was previously owned by a foreign corporation, 
the provisions of the Jones Act will not permit the Coast Guard to 
allow Mr. Moretto to use the boat commercially. However, the boat was 
built in the United States and is, therefore, eligible for a waiver of 
the restrictions. Once Mr. Moretto's vessel receives this exclusion 
from the Jones Act, the Secretary of Transportation will be authorized 
to issue the boat the proper documentation, allowing Mr. Moretto to use 
the boat for charter service.
  As I stated previously, the commercial use of the Lady Helen is 
essential to the success of Fleet Yacht Charters, Inc. In this day when 
small businesses often struggle to stay afloat, we need to provide them 
with all the support that we possibly can. This legislation will go a 
long way toward meeting that end, by providing Mr. Moretto with the 
proper authorization to run his charter service at full strength.

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