[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2989-2990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00833]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. MARAD-2023-0004]


Coastwise Endorsement Eligibility Determination for a Foreign-
Built Vessel: TORTUGA (Motor); Invitation for Public Comments

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the 
Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise 
endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which 
will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such 
a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks 
comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have 
on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag 
vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief 
description of the proposed service, is listed below.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 17, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket Number 
MARAD-2023-0004 by any one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Search MARAD-2023-0004 and follow the instructions 
for submitting comments.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility is in 
the West Building, Ground Floor of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation. The Docket Management Facility location address is: 
U.S. Department of Transportation, MARAD-2023-0004, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

    Note:  If you mail or hand-deliver your comments, we recommend 
that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, 
or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can 
contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.

    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and specific docket number. All comments received will be posted 
without change to the docket at www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. For detailed instructions on submitting 
comments, or to submit comments that are confidential in nature, see 
the section entitled Public Participation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Mead, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Room W23-459, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-5723, Email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As described in the application, the 
intended service of the vessel Tortuga is:

--Intended Commercial Use of Vessel: ``The vessel is intended to be 
used as a research platform for ecological studies regarding marine 
mammals and fisheries as well as an UPV for eco-tours, sportfishing and 
sightseeing around Anacapa Island (Channel Island National Park).''
--Geographic Region Including Base of Operations: ``California.'' (Base 
of Operations: Oxnard, CA.)
--Vessel Length and Type: 34' Motor.

    The complete application is available for review identified in the 
DOT docket as MARAD 2023-0004 at http://www.regulations.gov. 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, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations 
at 46 CFR part 388, that the employment of the vessel in the coastwise 
trade to carry no more than 12 passengers will have an unduly adverse 
effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag 
vessels in that business, MARAD will not issue an approval of the 
vessel's coastwise endorsement eligibility. Comments should refer to 
the vessel name, state the commenter's interest in the application, and 
address the eligibility criteria given in section 388.4 of MARAD's 
regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

Public Participation

How do I submit comments?

    Please submit your comments, including the attachments, following 
the instructions provided under the above heading entitled ADDRESSES. 
Be advised that it may take a few hours or even days for your comment 
to be reflected on the docket. In addition, your comments must be 
written in English. We encourage you to provide concise comments and 
you may attach additional documents as necessary. There is no limit on 
the length of the attachments.

Where do I go to read public comments, and find supporting information?

    Go to the docket online at http://www.regulations.gov, keyword 
search MARAD-2023-0004 or visit the Docket Management Facility (see 
ADDRESSES for hours of operation). We recommend that you periodically 
check the Docket for new submissions and supporting material.

Will my comments be made available to the public?

    Yes. Be aware that your entire comment, including your personal 
identifying information, will be made publicly available.

May I submit comments confidentially?

    If you wish to submit comments under a claim of confidentiality, 
you should submit the information you claim to be confidential 
commercial information by email to [email protected]. Include in the 
email subject heading ``Contains Confidential Commercial Information'' 
or ``Contains CCI'' and state in your submission, with specificity, the 
basis for any such confidential claim highlighting or denoting the CCI 
portions. If possible,

[[Page 2990]]

please provide a summary of your submission that can be made available 
to the public.
    In the event MARAD receives a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 
request for the information, procedures described in the Department's 
FOIA regulation at 49 CFR 7.29 will be followed. Only information that 
is ultimately determined to be confidential under those procedures will 
be exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received into 
any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment 
(or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). For information on DOT's compliance with 
the Privacy Act, please visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.

(Authority: 49 CFR 1.93(a), 46 U.S.C. 55103, 46 U.S.C. 12121)

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Gabriel Chavez,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-00833 Filed 1-17-23; 8:45 am]
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