Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.
Notice and request for comments.
As authorized by Public Law 109–347, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration, is authorized to make determinations permitting the use of foreign-flag anchor handling vessels in certain cases (and for a limited period of time) if no U.S.-flag vessels are found to be suitable and reasonably available.
A request for such a determination regarding anchor handling vessels with a minimum ice class A3 has been received by the Maritime Administration. If the Maritime Administration determines that U.S.-flag vessels are not suitable and
Submit U.S.-flag anchor handling ice class A3 or above vessel nominations on or before April 21, 2010.
U.S.-flag vessel nominations should refer to docket number MARAD 2010–0031. Written nominations may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL–401, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001. You may also send documents electronically via the Internet at
Thomas W. Harrelson, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR–730 Room W21–316, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202–366–5515.
The Maritime Administration has received a request from an attorney on behalf of a client seeking permission to charter a foreign-flag ice-classed A3 anchor handling vessel adjacent to the coast of Alaska. The foreign-flag anchor handling vessel (TOR VIKING #9199622) would operate in the Beaufort Sea or Chukchi Sea adjacent to Alaska, under certain conditions, and for a limited period of time. Section 705 of Public Law 109–347 allows the use of foreign-flag vessels in this regard if the Maritime Administration determines that U.S.-flag vessels are not suitable or reasonably available and if the lessee has entered into a binding contract to obtain and employ an eligible vessel. The lessee has entered into a long term time charter to build and employ such an eligible vessel. The Maritime Administration is posting this notice in the
By Order of the Maritime Administrator.