Cruise Vessel Act Cleared

The Senate Commerce Committee this week gave unanimous approval to S. 127, the United States Cruise Vessel Act. Senator John McCain, the sponsor of the legislation, characterizes it as an effort to "jump start" the introduction of large cruise ships (greater than 20,000 gt and with overnight accommodations for at least 800 passengers) into the coastwise trade. The key feature of the legislation allows a vessel operator to acquire a foreign-built cruise ship and place in under U.S. registry for coastwise service, provided he also builds replacement ships in an American shipyard.