Coast Guard Weighs Letting Foreign Boat Haul Paying Passengers
Published Date: 5/22/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Foreign-Built Vessel Seeking Coastwise Access
MARAD has received a request to allow the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V SEA TRACK to engage in U.S. coastwise trade carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire. MARAD is asking whether allowing this vessel would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels.
Public Comment Deadline and Privacy
Interested parties may submit comments on DOT Docket Number MARAD-2026-0795 through regulations.gov or by mail, and comments must be submitted on or before June 22, 2026. All comments (including personal information) will be posted publicly, but commenters may request confidential commercial treatment by emailing MARAD with the subject 'Contains Confidential Commercial Information' and following FOIA procedures.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10336, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V SEA FALCON
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!
Next: 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.