Foreign Boat 'REELAXIN' Seeks U.S. Coastal Waters Access Waiver
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is thinking about allowing a foreign-built small passenger boat called M/V REELAXIN to operate in U.S. coastal waters. They want to hear from people by April 3, 2026, to make sure this won’t hurt U.S. boat builders or businesses using American-made vessels. If approved, this could open new waters for the vessel without costing taxpayers extra money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Foreign-Built Boat May Enter Coastwise Trade
MARAD received a request to allow the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V REELAXIN to operate in U.S. coastwise trade as a vessel that carries no more than 12 passengers for hire under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b). MARAD is seeking public comment on whether that use would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or on U.S. coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels.
Approval Claimed to Not Raise Taxpayer Costs
The notice states that if the request to allow M/V REELAXIN to operate in U.S. coastwise trade is approved, it could open new waters for the vessel without costing taxpayers extra money. MARAD published the notice to gather comments by April 3, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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