Overview
Title
Coastwise Endorsement Eligibility Determination for a Foreign-Built Vessel: SUGAR AND SPICE (MOTOR); Invitation for Public Comments
Agencies
ELI5 AI
A boat called "SUGAR AND SPICE" wants permission to offer fun rides with up to twelve people on board in Florida, but it's not made in the USA. The grown-ups in charge want to know if this could be unfair to people who make or use American boats, and they are asking others to share their thoughts about it by sending in their comments.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, is considering a request to determine whether a foreign-built vessel named SUGAR AND SPICE can be approved for coastwise trade, allowing it to carry up to twelve passengers for hire. The vessel is a 43-foot power catamaran, intended for use in passenger day charters and cruises based in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on how this decision might affect U.S. shipbuilders or businesses using American-flagged vessels. Comments can be submitted through the federal portal or by mail until January 21, 2025, and all received comments will be publicly available.
Abstract
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.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
This document from the Federal Register issued by the Maritime Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, invites public comments on a request for a coastwise endorsement eligibility determination for a foreign-built vessel named "SUGAR AND SPICE." This endorsement would allow the vessel to carry up to twelve passengers for hire. The vessel, a 43-foot power catamaran, is intended for commercial use in passenger day charters and cruises based in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Interested parties have until January 21, 2025, to submit their comments using the federal portal or by mail.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the primary concerns raised by the notice is the potential impact on U.S. vessel builders. By allowing a foreign-built vessel to operate commercially in U.S. waters, there could be economic ramifications for domestic shipbuilders. The document does not detail the potential economic impact or cost implications of granting such an endorsement, which could affect U.S. vessel builders who might see this as competition. Furthermore, while the document calls for public comment, it does not provide a detailed evaluation of how this decision might favor or disadvantage specific organizations or individuals, including the requester.
Additionally, the language used in the notice, while clear to those familiar with maritime regulations, includes terms like "coastwise endorsement" and "U.S.-flag vessels" that might not be immediately understood by all readers. These terms are critical to understanding the context and implications of the request but could benefit from further explanation for a general audience.
Public Impact
Broadly, the document may not have an immediate effect on the general public, as the request deals specifically with the operation of a single vessel for limited purposes. However, it offers an opportunity for public involvement by seeking opinions on how such a decision may affect U.S.-flagged vessels and shipbuilders, thus engaging those in related industries and communities.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders in the maritime industry, including U.S. vessel builders and businesses that operate U.S.-flag vessels, this document could have significant implications. Granting the coastwise endorsement to "SUGAR AND SPICE" might set a precedent that incentivizes the use of foreign-built vessels, potentially challenging domestic builders. For the requester, obtaining the endorsement would positively impact their business prospects by allowing them to tap into the U.S. maritime market for commercial passenger services.
For those wishing to submit confidential comments, the process may prove challenging, as it requires familiarity with procedures for claiming information as confidential commercial information (CCI). This might limit participation for individuals unfamiliar with regulatory and legal nuances.
In summary, while the request for public comments is routine in nature, the potential decision could have wider implications for the U.S. maritime industry. Stakeholders should consider submitting detailed comments to ensure that their interests and concerns are adequately represented and addressed.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific information on the potential economic impact or cost implications of granting the coastwise endorsement to the foreign-built vessel, which could affect U.S. vessel builders.
• There is no detailed evaluation of how this decision might favor or disadvantage particular organizations or individuals, including the requester of the determination.
• The language in the notice is generally clear, but terms like 'coastwise endorsement' and 'U.S.-flag vessels' might not be immediately understood by all readers, though they are standard in maritime regulations.
• The process for submitting confidential comments might be difficult for some individuals as it requires understanding of CCI procedures and how to claim information as confidential.