Can 'American Honey' Yacht Sweet-Talk U.S. Coastwise Trade Rules?
Published Date: 9/3/2026
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
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign-Built Vessel Seeks Coastwise Entry
MARAD has received a request to allow the foreign-built small passenger vessel S/V American Honey to operate in U.S. coastwise trade carrying no more than 12 passengers for hire. MARAD is asking whether allowing this use would have an undue adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels.
Submit Comments by October 5, 2026
U.S. vessel builders and coastwise trade businesses may submit comments to DOT Docket Number MARAD-2026-1388 by October 5, 2026 to show whether the proposed use would have an undue adverse effect. Comments will be posted publicly at regulations.gov unless you request confidential commercial treatment by emailing marad.cci@dot.gov.
How Small Vessel Coastwise Eligibility Works
Under 46 U.S.C. 12121(b), a small passenger vessel that carries no more than 12 passengers for hire may receive a U.S. coastwise trade endorsement if MARAD, after notice and an opportunity for public comment, determines that the vessel's use will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or coastwise trade businesses that use U.S.-built vessels.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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2026-18075, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V LAGERTHA
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.
2026-18077, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V MIDLIFE CRISIS
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.
2026-18074, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V FRANCIS
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18077, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V MIDLIFE CRISIS
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: 2026-18079, Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V NALU
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.