Foreign-Built Bella Vita Seeks a Place in American Coastal Trade
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration is asking for public comments on whether the foreign-built small passenger vessel S/V BELLA VITA should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastal trade. This decision affects U.S. boat builders and businesses using U.S.-built vessels, with comments due by December 14, 2026. The goal is to make sure this won’t hurt American shipbuilders or coastal businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign-built S/V may affect U.S. boatbuilders
MARAD is asking for public comments on whether the foreign-built small passenger vessel S/V BELLA VITA (authorized to carry no more than 12 passengers for hire) should be allowed to operate in U.S. coastwise trade. MARAD will decide whether allowing this use would have an adverse effect on U.S. vessel builders or on coastwise trade businesses that employ U.S.-built vessels. Comments on this determination are due by December 14, 2026.
Public posting and confidentiality for comments
All comments submitted to the docket will be posted publicly without change, including any personal information you provide. If you want MARAD to treat material as commercially confidential, you may email [email protected] with the subject line "Contains Confidential Commercial Information" (or "Contains CCI") and explain why those portions should be treated as confidential; FOIA procedures will be followed for any confidentiality claim.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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