§55104 Transportation of passengers between Puerto Rico and other ports in the United States

Summary

Vessels that are not allowed to do coastwise trade may carry passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports unless a U.S. vessel says it will provide the same route with a valid Federal Maritime Commission certificate. If an owner shows the Coast Guard secretary that a U.S. passenger vessel that is qualified for coastwise trade will run service under that certificate, the secretary must tell all vessels using the Puerto Rico route under the exception to stop within 270 days. If the owner shows a U.S. passenger vessel that is not coastwise-qualified will run service under a certificate, the secretary must tell foreign vessels using the route to stop within 270 days. If the announced vessel has not started service within 270 days, the 270-day deadline is pushed back to end 90 days after that vessel actually begins. If the secretary later finds the promised service is gone, the old permission to carry passengers is put back. Definitions: certificate — a Federal Maritime Commission document showing financial responsibility for passenger claims; passenger vessel — a ship of similar size or service as other passenger ships.