Maritime Administration December 1, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Maritime Administration (``MARAD'') is amending its regulations to implement amendments to the Maritime Security Act of 2003 by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (``NDAA 2013''), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (``CAA 2016''), and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (``NDAA 2016''). The revisions to the regulations, among other things, make changes to vessel eligibility for participation in the Maritime Security Program (``MSP''), authorize the extension of current MSP Operating Agreements, amend the procedures for the award of new MSP Operating Agreements, extend the MSP through 2025, update the MSP Operating Agreement payments and schedule of payments, and eliminate the Maintenance and Repair Pilot Program.

The Maritime Administration (``MARAD'') is amending its regulations which implement new requirements regarding certain large fishing industry vessels set forth in the American Fisheries Act of 1998 (``AFA''), as amended by the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (``CGAA'') and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (``CGMTA''). The revisions to the regulation adds two new exceptions to the restrictions on the eligibility of vessels over 165 feet in registered length to be documented with fishery endorsements, eliminates the 15-day application deadline for vessels whose fishery endorsements have become invalid, limits fishery endorsement eligibility for certain large fishing industry vessels, and eliminates certain exemptions for specific vessels that were deleted in the CGMTA. In addition, MARAD is revising its Large Vessel Certification form to incorporate these new requirements.

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 brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

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 brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.