Passenger Vessel Operators Face Another Round of Federal Paperwork
Published Date: 6/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Maritime Commission is updating the paperwork rules for Passenger Vessel Operators and wants your feedback by July 16, 2025. This update aims to make reporting easier and clearer without adding extra costs or time burdens. If you run or work with passenger vessels, this is your chance to help shape the process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
PVOs must maintain financial responsibility
If you own, charter, or operate a passenger vessel with 50 or more passenger berths that embarks passengers from U.S. ports or territories, you must establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility under 46 U.S.C. 44101–44106 and the Commission's 46 CFR part 540. The Commission uses Application Form FMC-131 to issue Certificates of Financial Responsibility that indemnify passengers for death, injury, or nonperformance.
Paperwork time burden and respondent count
About 52 passenger vessel operators (PVOs) were registered with the Commission as of May 2025 and are subject to these rules. The Commission estimates each response takes between 0.5 and 8 hours (8 hours to complete Form FMC-131) and the total annual industry burden is 1,251 hours per year.
No changes — information collection extended only
The Commission submitted the existing information collection (OMB Control No. 3072-0012) for extension with no changes; the approval currently expires July 31, 2025. The submission is for extension purposes only, meaning the Commission is not proposing new or altered reporting requirements in this filing.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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