Do you own a vessel made outside the U.S. but want to sail it for business within American waters? Feeling discouraged by the strict rule against foreign-built vessels in the U.S. market? We have a solution – access to the MARAD waiver. This allows the use of specific foreign vessels in the U.S. As you know, U.S. vessel documentation is usually for American-owned, domestically built ships of at least five net tons. Yet, exceptions exist. The MARAD waiver offers hope for those wanting to navigate commerce with foreign-built vessels under U.S. Coast Guard oversight, under special circumstances.
The MARAD Waiver: A History
The genesis of vessel documentation traces back to the inaugural acts of the First Congress of the United States, which shows the nation’s early recognition of the maritime industry’s significance.
This waiver comes from the Jones Act. The Jones Act is a legislative cornerstone housing the Passenger Vessel Services Act, offering a lifeline to certain vessels seeking exemption from the American-built prerequisite. But before you set sail under the banner of this waiver, there are criteria that must be met.
Eligibility and Vessel Usage Under This Waiver
First, the vessel’s proprietor must be a citizen of the United States, and the vessel itself must have weathered a minimum of three years on the tumultuous waves of the maritime domain. Any vessel younger than this temporal threshold is ineligible for waiver consideration.
The parameters of this waiver extend beyond citizenship and age, stipulating a restricted scope of permissible activities for vessels.
Notably, sanctioned use is confined to passenger transportation, with a strict cap of twelve passengers per voyage. This confines the vessel’s utility to the realm of passenger conveyance, precluding its engagement in commercial fishing endeavors. However, recreational fishing escapades are permissible, offering an avenue for convivial angling pursuits with friends, albeit with the caveat that any caught bounty remains off the market.
Furthermore, activities such as salvage operations, towing operations, and dredging activities fall outside of authorized actions.
In essence, this waiver extends a lifeline to vessels, permitting the carriage of up to a dozen souls per journey, but within circumscribed operational boundaries.
What to Do After You Receive This Waiver
Upon obtaining this waiver, the vessel owner begins the initial stage of the vessel documentation journey. This typically involves obtaining a coastwise trade endorsement for a passenger vessel, subject to the vessel meeting the eligibility criteria.
Acquiring the necessary documentation is a streamlined process facilitated through our comprehensive online platform, which provides a repository of forms customized to your maritime documentation requirements.
Securing or renewing your documentation from the USG is of significant importance for you as a boat owner, as it bestows official recognition and exclusive privileges upon your vessel.
Documented Vessel Eligibility
A vessel must meet certain standards to be documented, even those that have received a MARAD waiver.
An eligible vessel needs to measure a minimum of five net tons. Additionally, you must be an American citizen (as the sole owner).
How to Apply for Initial Documentation Through Our Site
The initial stride toward USCG documentation involves wielding the right application form like a captain his helm. For those venturing into the sea of documentation for the first time, it’s Form CG-1258 to complete. These forms demand intricate details about your vessel, from its moniker to its hull identification number, ownership particulars, dimensions, and intended exploits. Precision in filling out these forms and furnishing requisite documentation is paramount to steer clear of snags or bottlenecks. Find all necessary forms conveniently docked on our website.
Maintaining Documentation
Even if you’ve received a waiver from MARAD and then received your initial documentation, you aren’t covered for the rest of your life. Indeed, you need to renew your documentation as well every single year. Through our site, you do have the option of renewing your documentation for up to five years in advance. We see it as one more way we can help vessel owners like you.
A Hub for Vessel Owners at Every Stage of Ownership
With this waiver, it only waives the American-built stipulation and no other. You and your vessel are not exempt from other regulatory requisites such as inspection mandates or additional Coast Guard documentation imperatives.
Moreover, this waiver represents but one facet of the myriad documentation forms available for perusal and submission through our online portal.
Whether it’s initial documentation, renewals, or reinstatements necessitated by missed deadlines, our platform serves as a one-stop destination for all your vessel documentation requisites.