[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. Akaka):
  S. 2096. 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 Foilcat; to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


        CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION FOR THE VESSEL ``FOILCAT''

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill today to 
direct that the vessel Foilcat, Official Number 1063892, be accorded 
coastwise trading privileges for a fixed duration and be issued a 
certificate of documentation under section 12103 of title 46, U.S. 
Code.
  The Foilcat was originally constructed in Norway, in 1992, and is a 
hydrofoil vessel presently under renovation in a U.S. shipyard. It is 
84.2 feet in length and is expected to be less than 100 U.S.C.G. 
registered tons.
  The vessel is owned by Steven Loui of Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Loui 
would like to utilize his vessel to evaluate the use of hydrofoil 
technology in the establishment of a high speed ferry demonstration 
project. However, because the vessel was built in Norway, it did not 
meet the requirements for coastwise license endorsement in the United 
States.
  The Hawaiian islands are exposed to high and rough surf and it is 
incumbent that we utilize high speed technologies in order to overcome 
the impediments of high surf and transportation distance requirements. 
Foilcat utilizes advanced hydrofoil technologies enabling the vessel to 
travel at high speeds while also providing safe and comfortable 
passenger ferry service. Should this technology as applied in passenger 
ferry service, prove successful, a series of these types of vessels 
will be built in the U.S.--using U.S. workers. Mr. Loui is planning to 
invest almost three times the amount of the vessel's purchase price in 
repairs and upgrades in a U.S. shipyard. My reflagging request would be 
for a limited time period, which would provide adequate time to 
evaluate the use of this technology in the establishment of inter and 
intra-island passenger ferry service.
  The owner of the Foilcat is seeking a waiver of the existing law 
because he wishes to use the vessel to evaluate high speed technology 
in passenger ferry service. His desired intentions for the vessel's use 
will not adversely affect the coastwise trade in U.S. waters. If he is 
granted this waiver, it is his intention to comply fully with U.S. 
documentation and safety requirements. The purpose of the legislation I 
am introducing is to allow the Foilcat to engage in the coastwise trade 
and the fisheries of the United States.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2096

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. LIMITED DURATION WAIVER OF COASTWISE TRADE LAWS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 12106 and 12108 
     of title 46, United States Code, section 8 of the Passenger 
     Vessel Act (46 U.S.C. App. 289), and section 27 of the 
     Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. App. 883), the Secretary 
     of Transportation may issue a certificate of documentation 
     with appropriate endorsement for employment in the coastwise 
     trade for the vessel Foilcat, (United States Official Number 
     1063892).
       (b) Termination.--The certificate issued under subsection 
     (a) shall be in effect for the vessel Foilcat for the 
     period--
       (1) beginning on the date on which the vessel is placed in 
     service to initiate a high-speed marine ferry demonstration 
     project; and
       (2) ending on the last day of the 36th month beginning 
     after the date on which it became effective under paragraph 
     (1).
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