Feds Ask Public: Should Foreign Boat Compete With Americans?
Published Date: 1/6/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is checking if the foreign-built vessel Open Seas can get permission to carry up to 12 paying passengers along the U.S. coast. They want to hear from U.S. boat builders and businesses about how this might affect them. If you have thoughts, send your comments by February 5, 2025—this could impact local jobs and business opportunities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Protects U.S. Vessel Builders and Operators
MARAD is asking for public comments by February 5, 2025 on whether the foreign-built 28' motor vessel Open Seas should be allowed to carry up to 12 paying passengers for fishing charters based in Soldotna, Western Alaska. If MARAD finds that allowing the vessel to operate would have an "unduly adverse effect" on a U.S. vessel builder or a U.S. business that uses U.S.-flag vessels, MARAD will not approve the coastwise endorsement.
Risk to the Foreign-Built Vessel Operator
The owner of the foreign-built vessel Open Seas, a 28' motor seeking to run passenger fishing charters for up to 12 paying customers from Soldotna, Alaska, may be denied coastwise endorsement if commenters show the vessel would cause an "unduly adverse effect" on U.S. builders or businesses. Interested parties must submit comments by February 5, 2025 to the DOT docket MARAD-2024-0163.
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