[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53838-53839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21006]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number: MARAD-2002-13139]


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 VILLOMEE.

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

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 September 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2002-13139. 
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

[[Page 53839]]

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: VILLOMEE. Owner: Charles W. Collins.
    (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the 
applicant: ``LOA: 51' Beam: 15' 4''; Capacity: 12 persons; Gross 
Tonnage: 35.''
    (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of 
intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: 
``Recreational sailing charters and coastwise cruising along the east 
coast of the U.S.''
    (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. 
Date of construction: 1990. Place of construction: Taiwan.
    (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other 
commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: 
``Minimal impact; While there is a large demand, there are few vessels 
of this vintage capable of coastal and bluewater cruising along the 
entire U.S. east coast.''
    (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. 
shipyards. According to the applicant: ``Positive impact: This vessel 
has already gone through two major refits at U.S. yards, and its 
intended use will require constant upgrading and maintenance, all of 
which will be performed at U.S. shipyards.''

    Dated: August 14, 2002

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-21006 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P