[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17996-17997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8293]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2001-9305]


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 Achiever.

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

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 May 4, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2001-9305. 
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: ACHIEVER. Owner: Clive Edward Lonsdale.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``Length Overall: 19.2 meters or 63 feet, Beam: 4.3 meters 
or 14 ft 10 inches, Draft: 1.59 meters or 6 feet, Under deck tonnage: 
30.89 tons, Deck erections: 4.27 tons, Gross Tonnage: 35 tons, Net 
Tonnage: 26 tons.''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: ``I am 
planning to use Achiever for sailing adventure charters from Dutch 
Harbor, visiting the Natural Wonders of the Aleutian Islands. Achiever 
has the facility to offer live-aboard accommodation for charter 
parties. I will be working in partnership with a Dutch Harbour 
resident, Jeff Hancock who currently organises local adventure kayaking 
and back packing trips from his Sport Equipment Store Aleutian 
Adventure Sports, based in Dutch Harbor. We will be employing a 
professional American captain and crew to run the trips and we aim to 
carry no more than 12 passengers on short trips around the Aleutian 
chain of islands. Our joint interests will enhance Dutch Harbor's 
facilities, hopefully encouraging visitors from around the world.'' 
Geographic area: ``North and South of the Alaska Peninsular from the 
Shumagin Islands to Attu Island at the Western end of the Aleutian 
Islands.''
    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1991. Place of construction: Whakatane, New 
Zealand.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: ``I 
am aware of several small motor fishing vessels that offer half-day 
fishing trips from Dutch Harbour. They are fast launches that take 
small parties out on halibut fishing trips. Achiever will not conflict 
with these charter vessels and to the best of my knowledge there are no 
other operators offering the type of charter I intend to offer. From my 
knowledge of the port of Dutch Harbor I have identified: Miss Amber, 
Lucille, Grand Aleutian, Silver Cloud and Miss

[[Page 17997]]

Peppers. I have attached print outs from the registry.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``Rather than being in conflict 
with any US shipyards, Achiever will add to their custom. Dutch 
Harbor's shipyards offer excellent hauling facilities, which I will be 
interested in utilizing. Achiever is a steel yacht with many Standard 
American fixtures. The local facilities cater for all her needs.''

    Dated: March 30, 2001.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-8293 Filed 4-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P