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
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-10324 — 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!
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.
2026-10338 — 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.
2026-10334 — 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!
2026-10329 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V CHACHI
The Maritime Administration is asking for your thoughts on letting a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V CHACHI, 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. If you want to weigh in, make sure to send your comments by June 22, 2026!
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.