Rules and Regulations. Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel GECKO GECKO

Agency: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation
Action: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel GECKO GECKO
Citation: FR Doc. 02-13361 · Docket Number: MARAD-2002-12369

Summary

As authorized by Public Law 105-383, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a description of the proposed service, is listed below. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines that in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (65 FR 6905; February 11, 2000) that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels, a waiver will not be granted.

Dates

Submit comments on or before June 28, 2002.

Supplementary Information

Title V of Public Law 105-383 provides authority to the Secretary of Transportation to administratively waive the U.S.-build requirements of the Jones Act, and other statutes, for small commercial passenger vessels (no more than 12 passengers). This authority has been delegated to the Maritime Administration per 49 CFR 1.66, Delegations to the Maritime Administrator, as amended. By this notice, MARAD is publishing information on a vessel for which a request for a U.S.-build waiver has been received, and for which MARAD requests comments from interested parties. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in § 388.4 of MARAD'S regulations at 46 CFR part 388. Vessel Proposed for Waiver of the U.S.-Build Requirement (1) Name of vessel and owner for which waiver is requested.Name of vessel: GECKO GECKO. Owner: George Randall Boelsems. (2) Size, capacity and tonnage of vessel. According to the applicant: “Size: 15 Gross ton, 14 Net ton, Length 41.6 ft, Breadth 21.4 ft, Depth 6.8 ft.” (3) Intended use for vessel, including geographic region of intended operation and trade. According to the applicant: “Vessel is intended to be used in Southern California coastal waters as an overnight crewed recreational charter vessel.” (4) Date and Place of construction and (if applicable) rebuilding. Date of construction: 1992. Place of construction: France. (5) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on other commercial passenger vessel operators. According to the applicant: “This waiver should have minimal impact on other commercial passenger vessel operators due the current demand for this type of vessel in the area for recreational purposes. Most charter vessels in this size are sportfisher designs used for day fishing charter trips. This vessel is a power Catamaran and there is only one other operating 100 miles south, out of San Diego that offers an overnight recreational application.” (6) A statement on the impact this waiver will have on U.S. shipyards. According to the applicant: “A waiver for the GECKO GECKO should have a positive impact on shipyards building power catamarans. The crewed charter by people interested in the power multihull design will give potential buyers an opportunity to try the multihull experience, which should increase sales in this type of vessel.” Dated: May 22, 2002. By order of the Maritime Administrator. Joel C. Richard, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. 02-13361 Filed 5-28-02; 8:45 am]