USA small vessel waiver-12 passenger

I just came across this. Several people have asked about going beyond the "six pack" and this may be a good option.
http://www.marad.dot.gov/ships_ship...g/small_vessel_waiver/Small_Vessel_Waiver.htm

 

I didn't pursue all the documents but it looks to be only a Jones Act Waiver.

Nonetheless a valuable document for small craft owners .

Better if they reform the Jones Act.

 

The regulations used to go from six to forty-nine passengers. This makes it closer to what European regulations are.

 

I've done it. Pretty easy process.

However, this just waives the Jones act, allowing you to run a non-US built boat in the USA, with up to 12 passengers.

It does *NOT* change inspected/uninspected vessel 6 pax requirements.

For example: If you have an uninspected vessel made in Germany and you get the Marad exemption, it may list "12 passengers" on the exemption paperwork. BUT... that does not mean you can run more than 6 paying customers unless you also get a COI for the boat specifying more than 6.

 

Does it allow the foreign built vessel to load and unload passengers withing US ports?

 

I see. Makes sense .

 

Thats what it seems to say.

That you may petition the Maritime Authority for an exemption and that the Maritime Authority may or may not grant your request. It was recently used for the Americas Cup so foreign teams could operate support vessels.

 

Yes, it does.

It adds your boat to a registry of foreign made vessels that are allowed to run as if they were American built.

 

USCG rules permit uninspected vessels between 100 Gross Tons and 300 Gross Tons to carry up to 12 passengers for hire. So it looks like a non-US built uninspected vessel of that size could care up to 12 passengers for hire if it also received a Jones Act wavier.

 

Um, I believe it's called the "Small Vessel Waiver Program" for a reason.



Not sure of the actual limit, but the name of the program implies a limit.

 

From the Maritime Administration website on the progam which Gonzo provided a link to above.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

There are some basic requirements for a vessel to qualify for a waiver under this program:

1.The vessel must be at least three years old.
2.The vessel, when in service, cannot carry more than 12 passengers.
3.The intended use must be to carry passengers only. Activities such as carriage of cargo, commercial fishing, towing, dredging and salvage do not qualify for this program. Sport fishing is permitted as long as the fish caught are not sold commercially.
4.The vessel must be owned by a U.S.-Citizen.
​

Originally, the Maritime Administration required that applicant vessels be a minimum of 5 net tons. However, this requirement was not in the enabling statute and prevented the Maritime Administration from considering waiver requests from small vessels, therefore, we eliminated it. The vessel must meet all other U.S. Coast Guard requirements for a Coastwise Trade Endorsement before it can engage in commercial service.

Nothing about the maximum size of vessel eligable. It appears that the "small" part refers to 12 passengers or less.

 

For purposes of carrying passengers. Not for other commercial purposes.

 

There is no limit on size of the vessel. The limit is on the number of passengers for Hire. As was said above this puts the US in harmony with EEC rules. The EEC has allowed up to 12 passengers on boats built in the US, or anywhere for that matter, for years. as long as they could be certified by the nation involved We are just getting in line so to speak. Europe has also had 12 pack vessels for a long time. Of course since these carry more than 6 they are subject to inspection and must be certified by the USCG.

 

I assume you meant to add the qualifier "unless over 100 and less then 300 gross tons"