# 2026-15891: M/V Brass Ring Grabs for US Coastwise Trade Loophole

2026-15891, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V THE BRASS RING, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Maritime Administration published 2026-08-05, effective Submit comments on or before September 4, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15891
- As of: 2026-08-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-15891
- Title: Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V THE BRASS RING
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Maritime Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 50600
- Published: 2026-08-05
- Effective: Submit comments on or before September 4, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-09-04
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-08-12

## In one line

M/V Brass Ring Grabs for US Coastwise Trade Loophole

## Summary

The Maritime Administration is checking if a foreign-built small passenger boat called M/V THE BRASS RING can be used for U.S. coastal trips without hurting American boat builders or businesses. They want your thoughts by September 4, 2026, before making a decision. This could open doors for new boats on U.S. waters but might affect local shipbuilders.

## Abstract

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by MARAD, is authorized to make determinations regarding the coastwise use of foreign built; certain U.S. built; and U.S. and foreign rebuilt vessels that solely carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. MARAD has received such a determination request and is publishing this notice to solicit comments to assist with determining whether the proposed use of the vessel set forth in the request would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.- built vessels in those businesses. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a description of the proposed service, is in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

## Effects PRIA read

- Review of Foreign-Built 12-Passenger Vessel: mixed, medium. The Maritime Administration is deciding whether the foreign-built small passenger vessel M/V THE BRASS RING can operate in U.S. coastwise trade carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b). MARAD will determine if that use would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel b…

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- [2026-22703](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22703): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V ISLAND VIBEZ, 2026-11-06
- [2026-22699](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22699): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V JULIANA, 2026-11-06
- [2026-22702](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22702): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V NIUHI 2, 2026-11-06
- [2026-21638](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21638): Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V GT PRINCESS, 2026-10-23

## Sources
- [2026-15891 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/05/2026-15891/request-notice-use-of-foreign-built-small-passenger-vessel-in-united-states-coastwise-trade-mv-the)
- [2026-15891 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-05/pdf/2026-15891.pdf)

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- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15891 (as of 2026-08-12).