Overview
Title
Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V South'n Breeze
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Maritime Administration wants to know what people think about using a boat from another country to carry people in the U.S. They want to check if this would be bad for the people who build or use boats made in the U.S.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on a request about using a small, foreign-built passenger vessel named S/V South'n Breeze in U.S. waters. They want to know if this usage would negatively impact U.S. shipbuilders or businesses that rely on U.S.-made vessels. People can submit their opinions by May 23, 2025, through the official website or by mail. All comments will be publicly available, but confidential information can be submitted separately.
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 in question is a formal notice from the Maritime Administration, a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It invites comments from the public regarding a request to use a foreign-built small passenger vessel, identified as S/V South'n Breeze, within U.S. waters, under coastwise trade regulations.
Summary
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) requests public input to assess whether allowing the foreign-built S/V South'n Breeze to operate in U.S. waters for carrying up to twelve passengers would negatively impact U.S. shipbuilders or businesses that rely on vessels built in the U.S. Comments are open until May 23, 2025, and can be submitted through an official portal or by mail. While all responses will be made public, the document outlines a process for submitting confidential information.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Complex Language: The document employs technical language and bureaucratic terms such as "coastwise trade endorsement" and "adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders," which may not be easily understandable to the general public. This might deter some individuals from participating in the comment process.
Privacy Concerns: The notice advises commenters to include personal identifying information so that they may be contacted with questions. Since all comments are publicly posted unless marked confidential, there may be privacy implications to consider.
Confidential Submissions: Instructions for submitting confidential information lack clarity. They briefly mention using specific email subject headings but do not provide detailed steps on how MARAD ensures confidentiality and guards against exposure.
Potential Bias Towards Foreign Vessels: By evaluating the possibility of employing a foreign-built vessel in U.S. coastwise trade, the document could be seen as potentially undermining the U.S. vessel building industry, which may evoke concern from that sector.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Procedures: The process for handling confidential submissions in response to FOIA requests is stated, but not in definitive terms. The criteria for determining what information remains confidential are not clearly outlined.
Broad Public Impact
The notice facilitates public participation in governmental decision-making, aligning with democratic principles. By inviting comments, MARAD provides a platform for U.S. citizens, including those potentially impacted by this decision, to voice their opinions and influence regulatory outcomes. However, the complex language and privacy concerns could limit effective engagement from the general public.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
U.S. Vessel Builders: The decision has significant implications for domestic shipbuilders, as approval could suggest openness to foreign competition in the U.S. passenger vessel industry. This might spur negative reactions and prompt a protective stance from industry stakeholders.
Operators of U.S.-Built Vessels: Businesses using U.S.-made vessels may view this as potentially setting a precedent that favors foreign-built options, impacting their competitive standing and market share negatively.
Foreign Vessel Owners: For stakeholders owning or considering the use of foreign-built vessels, MARAD's decision process could signal a favorable environment for foreign participation in U.S. waters, possibly broadening their operational scope.
Overall, while the document serves as a mechanism for public engagement in evaluating foreign involvement in U.S. coastwise trade, it raises concerns about complexity, transparency, and industry protectionism.
Issues
• The document includes complex bureaucratic language that might be difficult for general public understanding, such as 'coastwise trade endorsement' and 'adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses'.
• The process for submitting comments confidentially is not very clear, as it lacks detailed steps on how confidentiality is ensured beyond using specific email subject headings.
• The document advises commenters to provide personal identifying information with their submissions, which may raise privacy concerns, as all comments will be publicly available unless marked as confidential.
• The document can be perceived as giving preferential treatment to foreign-built vessels over U.S.-built ones by considering the use of a foreign-built vessel in the U.S. coastwise trade, potentially affecting the U.S. vessel building industry.
• The provision regarding the treatment of confidential information in response to FOIA requests is not very definitive about safeguards or the criteria used to determine confidentiality.