Three Little Birds boat flies into coastwise trade drama
Published Date: 4/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V Three Little Birds, operate in U.S. coastal waters. This decision could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses that use American-made vessels. If you want to share your opinion, make sure to comment by May 23, 2025!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Potential Harm to U.S. Vessel Builders
If you are a U.S. boat builder or a business that uses U.S.-built small passenger vessels, MARAD is asking for comments by May 23, 2025 about whether allowing the foreign-built M/V Three Little Birds to operate in U.S. coastwise trade would have an adverse effect on your business. The request concerns a small passenger vessel authorized to carry no more than 12 passengers for hire and MARAD will consider whether its use would adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels.
Opportunity for Foreign-Built Vessel to Operate Coastwise
If you own or operate the foreign-built M/V Three Little Birds, MARAD has received a request to allow it to engage in U.S. coastwise trade as a small passenger vessel carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire. Comments on the request are due by May 23, 2025; if MARAD determines that the vessel's use will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses, the U.S. Coast Guard may issue a coastwise trade endorsement for the vessel.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-07014, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V Thormax
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the M/V Thormax, 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: 2025-07016, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V TY ONE ON
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the M/V TY ONE ON, should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision could impact U.S. shipbuilders and businesses using U.S.-built vessels. Comments are open until May 23, 2025, so anyone interested should speak up soon!