[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 14247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5896]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2001-9049]


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 PAPA II.

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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. 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 April 9, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2001-9049. 
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: Kathleen Dunn, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR-832 Room 7201, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-2307.

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: PAPA II. Owner: Jasper L. Shidler.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``PAPA II is 42 feet long with a breadth of 14.2 feet and a 
depth of 5 feet. Her gross tonnage is 19.6 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 day and evening, 1 day, 
or weekend charters which will 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 Rockport and Cape Cod.

    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1972. Place of construction: Wallace, Nova 
Scotia, Canada.
    (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 
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 PAPA 
II and use the profits to help fund the eventual purchase of a U.S. 
built, more modern vessel, to conduct my business. Considering the 
activities I plan to pursue, a U.S. built vessel would best suit my 
needs, however, my current financial situation is impeding my goal. 
I see the use of PAPA II as my only viable option. As stated the 
granting of this waiver will have only a positive affect on U.S. 
shipbuilders.

    Dated: March 2, 2001.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-5896 Filed 3-8-01; 8:45 am]
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