[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 34515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16306]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2001-9991]


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 CAT BALLOU.

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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 July 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2001-9991. 
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 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 
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: CAT BALLOU. Owner: Charles Joseph Longanecker.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``Length: 42 ft.; Beam 23 ft.; Draft 6.6 ft.; Gross: 22 
tons; Net 17 tons (measured pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 14502).''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: General 
Charter and Corporate Training Facility. West Coast of the U.S. from 
San Francisco to the Mexican Border, based in San Francisco Bay.''
    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1991. Place of construction: Canet, France.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: 
``Given that we are a small recreational sailing vessel, desiring to 
take 12 or less passengers for limited day, coastal, corporate 
training, and recreational trips, the approval of this application will 
not have an adverse effect on existing passenger operators. Cat Ballou 
will be used as a platform for corporate retreats and strategic 
planning. There are many large and established charter operations in 
San Francisco providing passage on the bay and costal waters. The 
industry is healthy and demand has grown significantly in recent 
years.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``This waiver will have no 
adverse effect on U.S. shipyards. In the last 12 months over $100,000 
has been spent for re-powering and re-rigging the boat with U.S. 
suppliers and shipyards. It costs approximately $40,000 per year at 
local boatyards and suppliers in the bay area to maintain Cat Ballou.''

    Dated: June 25, 2001.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-16306 Filed 6-27-01; 8:45 am]
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