Marad Reviews Sapphire Vessel for Coastwise Trade Exemption
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is checking if the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V SAPPHIRE can be used for U.S. coastwise trade without hurting American shipbuilders or businesses. They want your thoughts by April 3, 2026, before making a decision. This affects companies using small passenger vessels and could impact the market for U.S.-built boats.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Possible Harm to U.S. Boatbuilders
MARAD is reviewing a request to allow the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V SAPPHIRE (authorized to carry no more than 12 passengers for hire) to operate in U.S. coastwise trade. The agency will decide whether that use would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels. Interested parties may submit comments to Docket No. MARAD-2026-0333 by April 3, 2026.
Impact on Small Passenger Vessel Operators
The review concerns the use of the foreign-built M/V SAPPHIRE in U.S. coastwise trade and explicitly notes this affects companies using small passenger vessels. The public may comment on whether the vessel's proposed coastwise use would unduly adversely affect U.S. builders or businesses; comments must be submitted by April 3, 2026 to Docket No. MARAD-2026-0333.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10334 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V MADIGALE
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the M/V MADIGALE, should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade carrying up to 12 passengers. This decision could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses using American-made vessels. Comments are open until June 22, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts or concerns!
2026-10326 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V BLACK PAPAYA
The government is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V BLACK PAPAYA, operate in U.S. coastal waters carrying up to 12 passengers. This decision could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses that use American-made vessels. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your opinion before they decide if this is a good move or not.
2026-10337 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V SEA TRACK
The Maritime Administration is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V SEA TRACK, operate in U.S. coastal waters carrying up to 12 paying passengers. This decision could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses that use American-made vessels. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your opinion before they decide if this is a good move or not.
2026-10338 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V SONG OF DAVID
The U.S. government is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the S/V SONG OF DAVID, operate in U.S. coastal waters carrying up to 12 paying passengers. This decision could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses using American-made vessels. You have until June 22, 2026, to share your opinion before they decide if this is a good move.
2026-10328 — Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V CARPE DIEM
The government is considering letting the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V CARPE DIEM operate in U.S. coastal trade, which usually requires U.S.-built ships. This affects businesses that use U.S.-built vessels and could change who gets to run these passenger services. People have until June 22, 2026, to share their thoughts before a final decision is made.
2026-10324 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V 6 LINES
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel called S/V 6 LINES should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision affects U.S. boat builders and businesses that use American-made vessels. Comments are due by June 22, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04253 — M14 General Principles on Planning, Designing, Analyzing, and Reporting of Non-Interventional Studies That Utilize Real-World Data for Safety Assessment of Medicines; International Council for Harmonisation; Guidance for Industry; Availability
The FDA just released new rules to help drug makers and researchers use real-world data to check medicine safety better and faster. This update affects anyone doing non-interventional studies on drugs, vaccines, or biologics, replacing older guidance and aiming to make safety checks smoother without extra costs. The new guidance is effective now and encourages clear planning, smart data use, and honest reporting to keep medicines safe for everyone.
Next: 2026-04257 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V BLUE STAR
The government is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the S/V BLUE STAR, operate in U.S. coastal waters carrying up to 12 paying passengers. This could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses that use American-made vessels. Comments are open until April 3, 2026, so jump in and share your views before then!