Action
Final rule.
Summary
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is publishing this final rule to establish regulations governing administrative determinations of availability of coastwise-qualified vessels to be used in the transportation and, if needed, launch or installation of offshore oil drilling or production platform jackets in specified projects only. MARAD views this as a special, technical adjustment that does not indicate a change in MARAD's full support for other requirements of the coastwise laws. Specifically, this final rulemaking implements provisions of Public Law 108-293 (2004) (the Act) which requires the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, to adopt procedures to maximize use of coastwise-qualified vessels, but would permit the use of non-coastwise-qualified (foreign) launch barges if it is determined that coastwise-qualified vessels are not available.