[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 128-129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33446]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2000-8585]


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 WELLS GRAY.

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

SUMMARY: As authorized by Pub. L. 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.

[[Page 129]]

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 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 February 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2000-8585. 
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: Gordon Angell, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR-832 Room 7201, 400 Seventh 
Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-5129.

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 (no more 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 
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: WELLS GRAY. Owner: Captain Albert R. Manchester.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``SIZE: Length--48'3", Beam 11'6", Depth 6'3". CAPACITY: Six 
passengers. TONNAGE: 23 tons gross/18 tons net.''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: ``Charter. 
Including wildlife viewing, photography, and kayaking.'' Geographic 
Region: ``Southeast Alaska, Inside Passage, B.C., and Puget Sound WA.''
    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1927. Place of construction: Vancouver, B.C. 
Canada.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: 
``The Wells Gray will be offering unique and personalized charters that 
I feel would be difficult or impossible to find among existing 
operations. In contrast with other operators I wish to accommodate 
families and small groups of two to four persons seeking an affordable, 
personalized, and educational experience. Coupled with the strong 
demand for charters in my area of operation I think impact on existing 
operators to be practically non-existent.'' ``Typically, and with sound 
economic reason, most small vessel charter operators in my area are 
targeting 6 passenger fishing trips or a minimum of between 6 to 12 
passengers on touring trips. The larger vessel operators consist of 
``Fast Boat'' Day trips carrying up to 60 persons and the larger 
vessels doing overnight tours might carry 18 to 40 persons, and, of 
course, the cruise ships with thousands aboard.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``Positive. In excess of 
$150,000 has been spent in rebuilding the Wells Gray in the Port 
Townsend, WA shipyard. Future work scheduled for 2001 and routine 
maintenance will be done there as well.''

    Dated: December 27, 2000.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-33446 Filed 12-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P