[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 250 (Monday, December 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67624-67625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-32097]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Docket Number MARAD-2001-11241Requested Administrative Waiver of 
the Coastwise Trade Laws

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

[[Page 67625]]


ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative 
waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel Sovereign of 
Malahide.

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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. The vessel currently has permission 
to operate in Southeast Alaska under a small vessel waiver granted 
pursuant to actions in Docket MARAD-2001-10780. The current application 
involves a new operating area. 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 January 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2001-11241. 
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 
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: Sovereign of Malahide. Owner: Timothy B. White.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``L.O.A. 64 ft; Displacement 80 tons  Actual 
weight''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant:``Crewed 
Charter Vessel.'' ``California and Washington State.''
    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1973. Place of construction: Dublin, Ireland.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: ``It 
is my opinion if waiver status granted it will not significantly impact 
other operators. In my extensive research I have not encountered any 
opposition and have been encouraged by numerous charter companies to 
obtain proper documentation due to the significant demand for vessels 
such as the subject vessel. Other operators have expressed an interest 
and desire to utilize this vessel.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``The vessel will not impact 
U.S. shipyards. The Vessel has been undergoing extensive refit, repair 
and updating over the past 24 months. Much of the work was performed by 
Sovereign Marine Services Inc., located in La Conner WA. Many other 
U.S. Subcontractors and suppliers were also used. The cost of such is 
in excess of $1,000,000.00. All documentation of such work and repairs 
is available for review should you require.''

    Dated: December 26, 2001.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-32097 Filed 12-28-01; 8:45 am]
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