Overview
Title
Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V Cerulean
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Maritime Administration wants to know if letting a foreign-made boat, the S/V Cerulean, take people on short trips in the U.S. could be bad for American boat makers or businesses. People can share their thoughts about this by May 23, 2025.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has published a notice requesting public comments on a proposal regarding the use of a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the S/V Cerulean, in U.S. coastal trade. The administration needs to determine if this vessel's use would negatively impact U.S. vessel builders or businesses using U.S.-built vessels. Interested parties can submit their comments by May 23, 2025, to help assess any potential adverse effects. Public comments and supporting documents are accessible online, and contributors are advised that all submissions will be publicly available, except for those deemed confidential under certain provisions.
Abstract
The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to make determinations regarding the coastwise use of foreign built; certain U.S. built; and U.S. and foreign rebuilt vessels that solely carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. MARAD has received such a determination request and is publishing this notice to solicit comments to assist with determining whether the proposed use of the vessel set forth in the request would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels in those businesses. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a description of the proposed service, is in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document issued by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) seeks public input on a proposal regarding the use of a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the S/V Cerulean, in U.S. coastwise trade. This notice is a part of MARAD's responsibility to evaluate whether such use could harm U.S. vessel builders or businesses using U.S.-built vessels. Stakeholders and interested parties have until May 23, 2025, to present their views and evidence on the matter.
Summary of the Document
The notice provides details about a request submitted to MARAD and invites public comments on the proposed authorization for S/V Cerulean. This foreign-built vessel seeks permission to operate in transporting up to twelve passengers for hire along U.S. coasts. The evaluation focuses on determining potential negative impacts on domestic industries. To facilitate participation, MARAD outlines several methods for submitting comments and assurances regarding public access to the collected feedback.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Economic Impact: The document does not thoroughly explore the potential economic impacts of approving this request on U.S. vessel builders and coastwise trade businesses. This lack of detail may lead to concerns about potential disadvantages to domestic industries.
Use of Public Comments: While public participation is encouraged, the notice lacks clarity on how submitted comments will influence MARAD’s decision-making process. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of public engagement in shaping the outcome.
Preference for Foreign Vessels: The proposal to consider foreign-built vessels for U.S. coastal trades is briefly addressed without a robust explanation of the necessity or benefits of this inclusion, potentially raising questions about fairness to U.S. vessel builders.
Confidentiality in Submissions: Although procedures for submitting confidential comments are provided, the notice does not offer strong assurances on protecting sensitive information. This may discourage stakeholders with proprietary concerns from contributing valuable insights.
Consideration of Alternatives: The document does not mention whether alternative solutions have been explored or evaluated, leaving stakeholders without context on whether this request is the most beneficial path forward.
Broad Public Impact
The outcome of this notice process may set precedents affecting the coastwise trades and small passenger vessel operations in the United States. By potentially allowing foreign-built vessels into U.S. markets, the decision could influence market dynamics, potentially leading to changes in pricing, availability, or service kinds available to the public. The broader economic implications might also translate into shifts in employment within U.S. shipbuilding and related industries.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
U.S. Vessel Builders: These stakeholders could face negative impacts if the introduction of foreign-built vessels reduces demand for their ships, affecting jobs and economic conditions within the sector.
Coastwise Trade Businesses: Businesses relying on U.S.-built ships might experience competitive pressures from lower-cost foreign-built vessels, potentially impacting their market share and sustainability.
Foreign Vessel Owners: These entities could benefit from increased market access, allowing them to serve new routes and customers in the U.S. coastwise trade, broadening their operational scope.
Overall, the document's lack of detailed economic assessments and alternative considerations may leave stakeholders with concerns about transparency and the thoroughness of the evaluation process. Public comments have the opportunity to shape a more comprehensive understanding, provided that participants feel secure in how their contributions are used and protected.
Issues
• The document lacks detailed information on the potential economic impact of granting the request, making it unclear how it might affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses.
• The document does not specify how the comments will be used in the decision-making process, leading to potential ambiguity about their impact.
• There is no clear explanation or justification for why foreign-built vessels are being considered for coastwise trade, which might be unfavorable to U.S.-built vessels.
• The process for submitting confidential comments is outlined, but without assurances on how confidentiality will be protected, potentially discouraging submissions with sensitive information.
• The document does not provide information on whether alternatives to the request were considered or evaluated, which could provide context and transparency.