Overview
Title
Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V Echo
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Maritime Administration, part of the government, wants to know if using a foreign-built boat called S/V Echo for carrying people in the U.S. could hurt American boat makers or businesses. They are asking for people's thoughts on this.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration (MARAD), part of the Department of Transportation, has released a notice regarding a request to use a foreign-built small passenger vessel, S/V Echo, in U.S. coastwise trade. This notice seeks public comments on whether the vessel's use might negatively impact U.S. vessel builders or businesses relying on U.S.-built vessels. Comments must be submitted by May 23, 2025, via the methods outlined in the notice. The public can access further details and the request on the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
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
Overview
The Maritime Administration (MARAD), under the Department of Transportation, has issued a notice regarding a request to allow a foreign-built small passenger vessel, S/V Echo, to operate within U.S. waters for coastwise trade. The request has ignited a public engagement process in which MARAD invites comments to determine whether this use would impact U.S. vessel builders or businesses using domestically-built vessels. The deadline for submitting these comments is May 23, 2025. Stakeholders can submit comments via several methods and are encouraged to review detailed information available on the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
Key Issues and Concerns
There are several notable issues within the document that could affect stakeholders' ability to participate effectively:
Lack of Specific Details: The notice does not provide detailed information about the S/V Echo and its specific proposed operations. This omission could make it challenging for stakeholders to fully assess how this foreign-built vessel might impact U.S. builders and businesses.
Confidential Submissions: Although there is a provision for confidential comment submissions, the notice lacks clear instructions on what qualifies for confidentiality and how these submissions will be handled.
Legal Complexity: The notice references specific legal statutes and codes, such as 46 U.S.C. 12121(b), which might not be easily understood by individuals without legal training. This complexity can limit public participation, as not all stakeholders may readily grasp the legal implications of the situation.
Procedure Clarity: Information on how confidential information is managed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is not laid out in an easily digestible manner. Stakeholders may find it difficult to understand which parts of their submissions could be protected.
Public Impact
The notice serves as an opportunity for public participation in a decision-making process that could affect the U.S. maritime industry. If the foreign-built vessel is permitted to operate in U.S. waters, there could be broader implications for domestic shipbuilders and businesses relying on U.S.-built vessels.
General Public: For the broader public, this notice is an invitation to participate in governmental decision-making. It highlights the norms of transparency and accountability that guide such processes.
U.S. Vessel Builders and Trade Businesses: These stakeholders may be directly affected. The operation of foreign-built vessels in U.S. waters could potentially impact their businesses, possibly leading to economic effects. For these stakeholders, the notice offers a channel to express concerns and influence the decision process.
Potential Impact on Stakeholders
Positive: For some businesses, the introduction of a foreign-built vessel might reduce costs or provide new opportunities in passenger transport services.
Negative: U.S. shipbuilders and related businesses could face competition from foreign-built vessels, potentially leading to decreased demand for domestically-built alternatives. This could have a ripple effect on employment and the local economies that depend on shipbuilding.
The document represents both a regulatory challenge and an engagement opportunity, with the potential outcomes substantially impacting diverse segments of the maritime industry.
Issues
• The document lacks specific information about the vessel in question, which may hinder the ability of stakeholders to assess the potential adverse effects on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses.
• The language related to submitting comments confidentially could be more explicit in explaining how submissions are processed and what qualifies for confidentiality.
• The document makes a reference to 'further details about the requester's vessel and its proposed operations' being available online, yet this critical information is not summarized or highlighted in the notice itself.
• The procedure for handling confidential information under FOIA as described may not be sufficiently clear to potential commenters, particularly concerning what constitutes 'confidential commercial information'.
• The document references legal statutes and codes, which may not be easily understood by individuals without legal expertise, potentially limiting public engagement.