Another Foreign Yacht Seeks U.S. Coastal Passenger Rights
Published Date: 5/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether a foreign-built small passenger vessel, the M/V SEA FALCON, should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision could affect U.S. shipbuilders and businesses using American-made vessels. Comments are open until June 22, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up if you care about the future of U.S. maritime business!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Foreign-built Vessel May Hurt Shipbuilders
The Maritime Administration is considering allowing the foreign-built M/V SEA FALCON to operate in U.S. coastwise trade. MARAD is asking whether that use would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders; the vessel is a small passenger vessel authorized to carry no more than 12 passengers for hire. Submit comments to Docket MARAD-2026-0831 by June 22, 2026 if you want to state that this would harm U.S. shipbuilders.
Coastwise Operators May Face Competition
MARAD is reviewing a request to let the foreign-built M/V SEA FALCON operate in coastwise trade and is asking whether that would adversely affect coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels. Businesses that run small passenger services (vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire) can submit comments to Docket MARAD-2026-0831 by June 22, 2026 to describe any undue adverse effects.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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The Maritime Administration is asking for your thoughts on letting the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V MAMA JUANA operate in U.S. coastal trade. This could affect U.S. boat builders and businesses using American-made vessels, so they want to make sure it won’t hurt local jobs or trade. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your opinion and help shape the decision!
Next: 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.