[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 67 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18145-18146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8423]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2000-7166]


Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative 
waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel HAGGAI.

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[[Page 18146]]

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 Pub. L. 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR 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 May 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2000-7166. 
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: Michael Hokana, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR 832 Room 7201, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-0760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title V of Pub. L. 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 (less 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 
commentor'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: HAGGAI Owner: Jeffrey White
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel: According to the 
Applicant ``HAGGAI is 33.5 feet long with a breadth of 11.7 feet and a 
depth of 6.2 feet. Her gross tonnage is 13 tons. Tonnage was measured 
pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 14502 specifications.''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: ``I intend to 
use this vessel to conduct evening, 1-day, or weekend charters which 
will simply involve sunset viewing, exploring local harbors and 
islands, and occasionally trolling a fishing line. It is not my 
intention to conduct a fishing charter business. The region in which I 
would like to operate is the coastal waters of Massachusetts, 
specifically between Gloucester and Boston.''
    (4) Date and place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1979, place of construction: Taiwan, Republic of 
China.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: 
``Considering the type of activities I intend to conduct, and the area 
in which I intend to conduct them, I am confident that if this waiver 
is granted it will have no adverse effects upon commercial passenger 
vessel operators. The vessels operating in my area are: large whale 
watch vessels, commercial fishing vessels, large fishing charter 
vessels, and sport-fishing charter vessels.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``The granting of this waiver 
will not affect the business of U.S. shipbuilders adversely. 
Ultimately, not granting this waiver will however, because it is my 
intention to start my operation using HAGGAI and use the profits to 
help fund the eventual purchase of a U.S. built sailing vessel to 
conduct my business. Considering the activities I plan to pursue, a 
U.S. built sailing vessel would best suit my needs, however, my current 
financial situation is impeding my goal. I see the use of HAGGAI to 
begin this endeavor as my only viable option. As stated, the granting 
of this waiver will have only a positive affect on U.S. shipbuilders. 
To my knowledge, there is no business operating in my area which will 
be affected by the granting of this waiver.''

    Dated: March 31, 2000.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-8423 Filed 4-5-00; 8:45 am]
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