Overview
Title
Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws: Vessel ISLAND REEF (Motor Vessel); Invitation for Public Comments
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government got a request to let a boat called ISLAND REEF, which is over three years old, give fun trips like scuba and fishing tours in Puerto Rico for up to twelve people. They want to know if anyone thinks that's a good or bad idea, and people can tell them what they think before February 8, 2021.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) under the Department of Transportation has received a request for a waiver of the coastwise trade laws for a vessel over three years old, named ISLAND REEF, to allow it to carry up to twelve passengers for hire. The vessel is intended to be used for snorkel, sport fishing, and scuba tours in Puerto Rico. The public is invited to submit comments on this request by February 8, 2021. Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail, and they will be made publicly available.
Abstract
The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under review is a notice from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) inviting public comments on a request for a waiver concerning a vessel named ISLAND REEF. This vessel, which is more than three years old, seeks a waiver from the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws, allowing it to carry up to twelve passengers for hire. The vessel is intended to be used for snorkel, sport fishing, and scuba tours around Puerto Rico. Comments on this waiver request were to be submitted by February 8, 2021.
Significant Issues or Concerns
This document raises several noteworthy issues:
Cost Analysis: The document does not delve into the cost analysis of the waiver process. This omission leaves lingering questions about potential wasteful spending or misallocation of resources, particularly relevant to taxpayers who fund these processes.
Complexity of Instructions: The document's complexity may hinder comprehension among the general public. The procedural instructions, particularly on how to submit comments, might benefit from simplification to encourage broader public engagement.
Confidential Comment Submission: Although a process exists for submitting comments confidentially, it is notably intricate. This complexity may discourage those wishing to provide sensitive information from participating, which could limit diverse perspectives in the commentary process.
Lack of Justification for Waiver: The document doesn't explicitly provide the reasons why the ISLAND REEF requires this specific waiver. Without clear justification, it may appear that the process favors specific interests, which could undermine trust in the fairness of the waiver process.
Impact on U.S. Vessel Builders and Businesses: While the document mentions that adverse effects on U.S. vessel builders or U.S.-flagged vessel businesses could prevent the waiver's approval, it lacks a detailed analysis. This gap may weaken transparency and informed debate surrounding the decision.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
The broader public might not feel a direct impact from this document unless they are users or beneficiaries of the maritime services in Puerto Rico. However, the public's opportunity to comment provides a democratic avenue for voicing concerns or support regarding maritime practices that could indirectly affect local economies and job markets.
For specific stakeholders, such as U.S. vessel builders and businesses operating U.S.-flag vessels, the waiver could have notable implications. A waiver could potentially reduce the business for local vessel builders, as foreign-built vessels would compete more freely. On the other hand, assuming the waiver facilitates tourism-related activities in Puerto Rico, local businesses might benefit from increased visitor numbers and associated economic activity.
In conclusion, while the waiver request potentially enhances commercial maritime activities in specific localities like Puerto Rico, it must be weighed against possible negative impacts on domestic vessel builders and other stakeholders. Public comments, encouraged by the MARAD, serve as a crucial platform in shaping the final decision by highlighting these balance points.
Issues
• The document does not provide a detailed cost analysis of the waiver process, which could point to potential wasteful spending or resource allocation.
• The text may appear overly complex to the general public, particularly the detailed procedural instructions, which could be simplified for better understanding.
• The procedure for submitting comments confidentially is somewhat complicated and may discourage public participation.
• There is a lack of specification as to why this particular vessel, ISLAND REEF, requires a waiver, which might favor the interests of specific parties without justifying the selection.
• The potential impact on U.S. vessel builders or businesses using U.S.-flag vessels is noted but lacks detailed analysis or examples, which might be important for transparency and decision-making.