Overview
Title
Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V TY ONE ON
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to know what people think about someone using a small boat from another country to carry a few people around in the U.S., and they are making sure it won't hurt people who build or use boats made in the U.S. People can share their thoughts by sending in comments until May 23, 2025.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration (MARAD), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is seeking public comments on a request to use a foreign-built small passenger vessel for coastwise trade, which includes carrying up to twelve passengers. They want to ensure that this use will not negatively impact U.S. vessel builders or businesses that operate U.S.-built vessels. Comments can be submitted through May 23, 2025, via the provided government website or by mail. The agency has outlined the process for commenting, including options for submitting confidential information.
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.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The notice from the Maritime Administration (MARAD), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, requests public comments on the potential coastwise trade use of a foreign-built small passenger vessel. This particular type of trade involves carrying up to twelve passengers, and the vessel in question, identified as M/V TY ONE ON, is the subject of an eligibility determination request. The goal is to ensure that allowing this foreign-built vessel does not harm U.S. vessel builders or businesses that utilize U.S.-built ships. The public can submit comments until May 23, 2025, either online via the government website or by mail.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several noteworthy issues within the document. First, the identity of the requester for the vessel's eligibility is not disclosed, raising possible transparency concerns. Additionally, the process for submitting comments confidentially is outlined, but the specific criteria for what qualifies as confidential commercial information are not clearly defined, potentially leading to confusion.
Another point of ambiguity is the deadline for comment submission on May 23, 2025, which lacks a specific cutoff time. This could result in uncertainties about the exact moment comments are no longer accepted. Moreover, the procedural language regarding how to read public comments and locate supporting information seems convoluted, requiring the reader to navigate multiple sections, which might appear overly complex.
Finally, the document references specific legal statutes, such as 46 U.S.C. 12121(b), without providing context or a lay explanation. This lack of detail could confuse those unfamiliar with these legal references.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly speaking, this notice invites public participation, allowing individuals to express their thoughts on how introducing a foreign-built vessel to U.S. coastwise trade might affect domestic industries. For the general public, this represents an opportunity to weigh in on trade policies that impact the national economic landscape.
For stakeholders, such as U.S. vessel builders and businesses relying on U.S.-built vessels, the outcome of this request and the determination process could significantly impact their operations. U.S. builders might be concerned about losing business to foreign-built alternatives, while businesses already using U.S.-built vessels might face increased competition.
Conversely, those in favor of using foreign-built vessels could argue it promotes economic efficiency and enables a broader range of service offerings within the U.S. coastwise trade. Ultimately, the public commentary will influence MARAD's decisions, impacting both current industry dynamics and future policy considerations.
Issues
• The document does not specify who the requester is for the vessel eligibility determination, which could lead to transparency concerns.
• The notice mentions the possibility of submitting comments confidentially but does not clearly explain the criteria for determining what qualifies as confidential commercial information, which could lead to confusion.
• The instructions for submitting comments are clear, but without providing a more specific deadline time on May 23, 2025, there could be ambiguity regarding the exact cutoff time for submission.
• The language regarding the procedure to check public comments and supporting information requires the reader to refer back to multiple sections, making it potentially difficult to follow.
• The document refers to specific laws and regulations by number (e.g., 46 U.S.C. 12121(b)) but does not provide enough context about what these entail, which could be confusing for those not familiar with these references.