Vela Via Voyage: Waiver for Sailboat in Coastal Trade
Published Date: 4/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is checking if a foreign-built small passenger boat, the S/V VELA VIA, can be used for U.S. coastal trips carrying up to 12 passengers. They want to make sure this won’t hurt American boat builders or businesses using U.S.-made vessels. If you have thoughts, now’s the time to speak up before a decision is made!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign-Built S/V VELA VIA Review
The Maritime Administration is reviewing a request to allow the foreign-built small passenger vessel S/V VELA VIA to be used in U.S. coastwise trade on coastal trips carrying no more than 12 passengers. If allowed, the requestor could operate that vessel for hire on U.S. coastal trips; MARAD is asking for public comments before making a decision.
Potential Impact on U.S. Vessel Builders
MARAD is assessing whether allowing the S/V VELA VIA (a foreign-built small passenger boat) to operate in coastwise trade would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels. The agency is soliciting comments to help determine if there would be harm to those U.S. businesses.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-07017, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V TYCHE
MARAD is checking if a foreign-built small passenger boat, the S/V TYCHE, can be used for U.S. coastal trips carrying up to 12 passengers. They want to hear from folks who might be affected, like U.S. boat builders or businesses using American-made vessels, before making a decision. This is your chance to speak up and help shape the future of local boat trade!
Next: 2025-07019, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V VIXEN
MARAD is checking if a foreign-built small passenger boat called the M/V VIXEN can be used for U.S. coastal trips carrying up to 12 passengers. They want to hear from people who think this might hurt U.S. boat builders or businesses using American-made vessels. If approved, this could change who’s allowed to run these kinds of boats along the coast, so keep an eye out and share your thoughts soon!