[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1698-S1699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROBB:
  S. 1736. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue 
a certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for 
employment in the coastwise trade for vessel Betty Jane; to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

[[Page S1699]]

                      jones act waiver legislation

  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill today to authorize 
the Coast Guard to issue the appropriate endorsement for the vessel 
Betty Jane Virginia Registration number VA 7271 P to engage in the 
coastwise trade and fisheries. This legislation is necessary to resolve 
an issue regarding official documentation of the Betty Jane's chain of 
title.
  The Betty Jane was built in the United States in Deltaville, Virginia 
by an American private boat builder in 1970. It is a 36-foot wood hull, 
in-board gas propulsion boat, which is planned to be used for the 
excursion tourboat trade. The builder and the only former boat owner 
are deceased. The lack of an appropriate affidavit from these persons 
has left a gap in the chain of title of the vessel. The Coast Guard has 
informed the owner of the Betty Jane that if the gap is left 
unresolved, a coastwise endorsement cannot be issued for the vessel, 
even though the present owner is a U.S. citizen, the only former owner 
was a U.S. citizen, and the vessel was built in the United States.
  The Congress passes a number of these technical bills every year. I'm 
introducing this bill today so that the Senate Commerce Committee may 
act upon it with the upcoming coastwise bill this session.
                                 ______