2016-03007. Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws: Vessel ABBEY ROAD; Invitation for Public Comments

AGENCY:

Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, 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.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before March 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2016-0012. Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. You may also send comments electronically via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. All comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection and copying at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. An electronic version of this document and all documents entered into this docket is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bianca Carr, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W23-465, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone [phone], Email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

As described by the applicant the intended service of the vessel ABBEY ROAD is:

Intended Commercial Use of Vessel: “The Mission of Lake Superior Tall Ships is; To teach youth seamanship, personal responsibility, teamwork and self-esteem, while building skills in leadership and citizenship, to inspire all generations to be responsible stewards of Lake Superior (and all lakes, rivers, and oceans), and to promote awareness, appreciation and preservation of Lake Superior's marine communities and maritime heritage. To accomplish this mission, we take Sea Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H members and youth from other organizations sailing for free. We are able to operate and maintain the vessel with the help of solicited and unsolicited donations. We would like to offer public passengers for hire sails to generate additional revenue to support our programs.”

Geographic Region: “Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan”.

The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2016-0012 at http://www.regulations.gov. 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, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388, 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 in that business, a waiver will not be granted. 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.

Privacy Act

Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).

By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

Dated: February 4, 2016.

Gabriel Chavez,

Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration.