Subchapter T question?

[al ailsworth]

Hope this is ok to post. For some time I have been looking for a traditional schooner similar to my grandfather's Chesapeake Bay schooner. Have found one in Canada. I would like to use this vessel for day passengers on the bay. Question 1- can a 38 ton vessel built and currently documented in Canada be documented and used for the passenger trade in the US?

2- If a waiver is required in order to be US documentd, is one really difficult to obtain?

3.- If a waiver is granted, can the vessel carry more than 12 passengers on inland waters.

4. Vessel is already certified for Canadian passengers- are the regulations similar?

Thanks

[trull]

I am not a real authority but you can probably recieve a Jones Act Waiver of Foreign Build from MARAD. It entitles you to US documentation and allows 12 passengers in US waters.

[Gary Bergman]

I'm somewhat expert, having done four years of pre-work with the coastis, as I own a Canadian built,once Canadian documented,now US documented vessel currently plying the trade. FORGET IT!...You'll jump thru hoops forever, and the only waiver I could reference to the CG was the case of Wander Bird. Anyway, we are currently a six pack, doing reenactments and festivals instead, as the hassles to try and accomplish what you propose became too daunting after that many years of trying. Fisherman's Wharf in SF wanted me to do the MARAD point A to A idea, but it didn't fly, either. Supposedly, according to Covey Island Boatworks, Bush signed a deal last fall allowing us 'sixers' to become 12. We haven't pushed it, but we will ths summer..Good luck, and fair sailing.....Gary