[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 7, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HOLLINGS:
  S. 1566. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue 
a certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel Marsh Grass Too; to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


                     trading privileges legislation

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill today to direct 
that the vessel Marsh Grass Too, hull identification number 
AUKEV51139K690, be accorded coastwise trading privileges and be issued 
a certificate of documentation under section 12103 of title 46, U.S. 
Code.
  The Marsh Grass Too was recently constructed in Australia and is a 
catamaran intended for use as a recreational vessel. The vessel is 28 
feet in length, capable of accommodating 12 people, and is self-
propelled.
  The vessel is owned by Marsha Hass of South Carolina. Ms. Hass would 
like to utilize her vessel in the coastwise trade and fisheries of the 
United States. However, because the vessel was built in a foreign 
shipyard, it does not meet the requirements for coastwise license 
endorsement in the United States. The Marsh Grass Too is a catamaran, a 
vessel U.S. shipbuilders do not normally build. This particular vessel 
is built of kevlar, a product of DuPont, and would be imported into the 
United States as a bare hull. All motors, electronics, and accessories 
will be purchased and installed in the United States. Coastwise 
documentation is mandatory to enable the owner to use the vessel for 
its intended purpose.
  The owner of the Marsh Grass Too is seeking a waiver of the existing 
law because she wishes to use the vessel for recreational charters. Her 
desired intentions for the vessel's use will not adversely affect the 
coastwise trade in U.S. waters. If she is granted this waiver, it is 
her intention to comply fully with U.S. documentation and safety 
requirements. The purpose of the legislation I am introducing is to 
allow the Marsh Grass Too to engage in the coastwise trade and the 
fisheries of the United States.

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