Silent Running: Foreign Yacht Wants to Sneak into US Coasts
Published Date: 8/10/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Eligibility rule for small passenger vessels
Under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b), the U.S. Coast Guard may issue a coastwise trade endorsement for eligible small passenger vessels that solely carry no more than 12 passengers for hire if MARAD determines, after notice and opportunity for comment, that the vessel's coastwise use will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses using U.S.-built vessels.
Public comment window for M/V SILENT RUNNING
MARAD is asking for public comments by September 9, 2026 (DOT Docket Number MARAD-2026-1256) on whether allowing the foreign-built vessel M/V SILENT RUNNING to operate in U.S. coastwise trade would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or U.S. coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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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.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16214, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V NIT WITS
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.
Next: 2026-16216, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V NOVA
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.