[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53835-53836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21005]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2002-13138]


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 DISCOVERY.

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

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

[[Page 53836]]

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 September 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2002-13138. 
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: DISCOVERY. Owner: John L. Patterson.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``The vessel measurements are: length: 50.9', breadth: 16', 
depth: 11.2'. The tonnages are 60 gross and 48 net.''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: This vessel 
will operate for short periods of time with captain, crew and 12 or 
less passengers on sportfishing trips, training cruises, burials at 
sea, and small pleasure cruises. The vessel will be used along the West 
Coast of the United States, including Alaska, and within the harbors 
along the West Coast of the United States, including Alaska.''
    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1973. Place of construction: Hong Kong.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: 
``The impact will be negligible as we will address the charter needs of 
smaller groups than most of the vessels in our area. Most of the 
commercial passenger vessels have capacities of 50 to 500 passengers.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``There is no negative impact on 
our U.S. shipyards and we anticipate that all of the repair work to 
this vessel will be done in U.S. shipyards. A majority of the 
components, including engines, generators, navigation equipment, 
propellers, running gear, etc. are all U.S. built.''

    Dated: August 14, 2002

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-21005 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P