2016 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle V - Merchant Marine
Part D - Promotional Programs
Chapter 551 - Coastwise Trade
Sec. 55104 - Transportation of passengers between Puerto Rico and other ports in the United States

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 55104 (2016)
Section Name §55104. Transportation of passengers between Puerto Rico and other ports in the United States
Section Text

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Certificate.—The term "certificate" means a certificate of financial responsibility for indemnification of passengers for nonperformance of transportation issued by the Federal Maritime Commission under section 44102 of this title.

(2) Passenger vessel.—The term "passenger vessel" means a vessel of similar size, or offering similar service, as any other vessel transporting passengers under subsection (b).


(b) Exemption.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, a vessel not qualified to engage in the coastwise trade may transport passengers between a port in Puerto Rico and another port in the United States.

(c) Expiration of Exemption.—

(1) When coastwise-qualified vessel offering service.—On a showing to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, by the vessel owner or charterer, that a United States passenger vessel qualified to engage in the coastwise trade is offering or advertising passenger service between a port in Puerto Rico and another port in the United States pursuant to a certificate, the Secretary shall notify the owner or operator of each vessel transporting passengers under subsection (b) to terminate that transportation within 270 days after the Secretary's notification. Except as provided in subsection (d), the authority to transport passengers under subsection (b) expires at the end of that 270-day period.

(2) When non-coastwise-qualified vessel offering service.—On a showing to the Secretary, by the vessel owner or charterer, that a United States passenger vessel not qualified to engage in the coastwise trade is offering or advertising passenger service between a port in Puerto Rico and another port in the United States pursuant to a certificate, the Secretary shall notify the owner or operator of each foreign vessel transporting passengers under subsection (b) to terminate that transportation within 270 days after the Secretary's notification. Except as provided in subsection (d), the authority of a foreign vessel to transport passengers under subsection (b) expires at the end of that 270-day period.


(d) Delaying Expiration.—If the vessel offering or advertising the service described in subsection (c) has not begun that service within 270 days after the Secretary's notification, the expiration provided by subsection (c) is delayed until 90 days after the vessel offering or advertising the service begins that service.

(e) Reinstatement of Exemption.—If the Secretary finds that the service on which an expiration was based is no longer available, the expired authority to transport passengers is reinstated.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1633.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
55104(a)(1) 46 App.:289c(b) (related to meaning of certificate). Pub. L. 98–563, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2916.
55104(a)(2) 46 App.:289c(e).
55104(b) 46 App.:289c(a).
55104(c) 46 App.:289c(b).
55104(d) 46 App.:289c(c).
55104(e) 46 App.:289c(d).

In subsection (a), the definition of "certificate" is added based on the language in 46 App. U.S.C. 289c(b)(1) and (2) to avoid repeating the substance of the definition twice in the section.

In subsection (b), the words "Notwithstanding any other provision of law" and "directly or by way of a foreign port" are omitted as unnecessary.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 46 - SHIPPING
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle V - Merchant Marine
Part D - Promotional Programs
CHAPTER 551 - COASTWISE TRADE
Sec. 55104 - Transportation of passengers between Puerto Rico and other ports in the United States
Contains section 55104
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 98 Stat. 2916
120 Stat. 1633
Public Law References Public Law 98-563, Public Law 109-304
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