Mysterious S/V Eeya: Foreign Sailboat Crashes US Coast Guardrails
Published Date: 4/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the S/V Eeya, should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision affects U.S. boat builders and businesses using U.S.-built vessels, with comments due by May 23, 2025. The goal is to make sure this won’t hurt American shipbuilders or coastal businesses before giving the green light.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign-built 12‑passenger vessel may affect U.S. builders
MARAD received a request to allow a foreign-built small passenger vessel (the S/V Eeya) to operate in U.S. coastwise trade. The agency is asking whether that use would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels; the statute at issue applies to vessels that carry no more than 12 passengers for hire.
Opportunity to submit evidence by May 23, 2025
You can submit comments to DOT Docket MARAD-2025-0008 about whether the S/V Eeya would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses. Comments must be submitted on or before May 23, 2025 and will be posted publicly at regulations.gov unless you request confidential commercial treatment by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Contains Confidential Commercial Information" and explaining the basis for confidentiality.
Statutory path for coastwise endorsement for small vessels
Under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b), the U.S. Coast Guard may issue coastwise trade documentation for eligible small passenger vessels that carry no more than 12 passengers for hire if MARAD determines the proposed coastwise use will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06986, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V Echo
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the S/V Echo, should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision affects U.S. boat builders and businesses using U.S.-built vessels, with comments due by May 23, 2025. The goal is to make sure this won’t hurt American shipbuilders or coastal businesses before giving the green light.
Next: 2025-06988, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V Esprit de Mer
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on a request to use a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the S/V Esprit de Mer, for U.S. coastwise trade. This decision affects businesses that operate U.S.-built vessels and could impact the local shipbuilding industry. Comments are due by May 23, 2025, so jump in and share your thoughts before then!