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Small Vessel Waiver Program.

Three small vessels arranged in an oval pattern.

U.S. owners of small capacity, foreign-built vessels may now be able to use these vessels commercially to carry passengers.

Specifically, Public Law 105-383, Title V (as amended) authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to waive the domestic build requirements for foreign built or rebuilt small passenger vessels authorized to carry no more than 12 passengers.

In order to grant such waivers, the Secretary must determine that employment of the vessel in the coastwise trade will not adversely affect U.S. vessel builders or the coastwise trade business of any person who employs vessels built in the United States.

The program allows vessel owners to request a waiver of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise trade laws for an eligible vessel to carry 12 or fewer passengers in a specified area.

Eligible vessel means a vessel of five or more tons (approximately 24 feet or more in length) that is either a small passenger vessel, or an uninspected passenger vessel that was not built in the United States and is at least 3 years old.

U.S. vessels without proof of U.S. build may also be allowed to gain waivers as they can be treated as foreign vessels for waiver purposes.

To complete an online waiver request or view vessels that have received waivers, click below:

Request for Administrative Waiver of the Jones Act - Fill In/Submit FORM MA-1023 in HTML Format

Request for Administrative Waiver of the Jones Act - PRINT/VIEW FORM MA-1023 in PDF Format

Vessels That Have Received Small Vessel Waivers and Their Operating Area

MARAD prefers that applications, including the $300 application fee, be submitted electronically above. However, applications including the $300 fee, payable by check or money order to "Maritime Administration" can be mailed to:

Small Vessel Waiver Program

Maritime Administration

MAR-830, Room 7201

400 Seventh Street, SW

Washington, DC 20590

 

General inquiries may be addressed to:

Michael Hokana

Maritime Administration
MAR-830, Room 7201
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC  20590

 

Telephone:   202-366-0760

Email:  Michael.Hokana@marad.dot.gov

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