[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 165 (Thursday, August 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51641-51642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21686]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

Docket Number: [MARAD-2000-7831]


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 MENEHUNE.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR 
Part 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 September 25, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2000-7831. 
Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket 
Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401,

[[Page 51642]]

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Maritime Administration, MAR-832 Room 7201, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-4357.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title V of Public Law 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 (no more than 12 passengers). This 
authority has been delegated to the Maritime Administration per 49 CFR 
Sec. 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 
commenter'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: MENEHUNE. Owner: John M. Cece and Mary F. Cece.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel: According to the 
Applicant: MENEHUNE is 42 feet long, with a beam of 13 feet and a gross 
tonnage of 24 tons (Net Tons: 22).
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade: According to the applicant: The intended 
use of the vessel, after the granting of the waiver, is to conduct 
recreational, and learning cruises (usually day sails) on the 
Chesapeake Bay. The maximum number of passengers/students will be six 
(6) (NOT for the purpose of transportation between US ports, but for 
the purpose of recreation, and teaching sailing).
    This will enable the vessel to operate as an uninspected vessel 
with a coastwise endorsement. The charter/lessons will be conducted by 
Menehune Charters in conjunction with Menehune Marine Services and John 
and Mary Cece. Menehune Marine Services is a Maryland Corporation and 
citizen of the United States.
    (4) Date and place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding: 
Date of construction: 1982. Place of construction: Whitby, Canada.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators: According to the applicant: It 
is anticipated that there will be NO impact on other commercial 
passenger operators (we anticipate that our passengers/students will 
come from an existing database of persons who have sailed with us in 
the past). Our charter/teaching operation was established in 1980.
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards: According to the applicant: Granting of this waiver will 
have a positive impact on US shipyards. In addition to the estimated 
$20,000 already deposited with US shipyards/suppliers for repair and 
upgrade of this vessel, we will continue to purchase stores, fuel, 
repairs, and wharfage from US businesses.
    If the waiver is NOT granted, the vessel will NOT be used in 
commercial voyages, and expenditures will be minimal. In addition, if 
the business expands, we may purchase a larger vessel which will be 
U.S. built and certified as an Inspected Vessel.

    Dated: August 21, 2000.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-21686 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P