CAMM Views 06-01: Jones Act Waivers Opposed

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06-01

Jones Act
Temporary Waivers in Wake of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita

Opposed

The Council of American Master Mariners (CAMM) stands in opposition to recent attempts by large corporate and lobbying interests who have requested the Executive Office issue temporary waivers to sections of The Jones Act ostensibly due to damages wrought to our nation’s marine transportation system by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

CAMM stands in concert with the Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) in this opposition where in a recent letter to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), MCTF President Philip Grill states, "We have learned that various interests, including cruise lines and agricultural interests, are seeking broad waivers to the nation’s cabotage laws, alleging that they are needed as part of the Katrina relief and revitalization effort. These allegations are not consistent with the facts and the MCTF strongly opposes such requests." The MCTF opposes requests by the agricultural community to waive the Jones Act because, "there are ample coastwise-qualified US vessels available to meet the needs. Moreover, waivers are not necessary for foreign cruise ships being used as docked living space for evacuees since such use is allowed under existing law."

The MCFT letter continues by stating that, "We urge you to resist any effort to turn case-by-case waivers granted by responsible government officials under longstanding legislative authority to meet defined threats to US national security into broader legislative grants intended primarily to further the economic self interests of those making the request."

The letter concludes by noting, "As the efforts to recover from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina move forward, US-flag vessels operated by tax-paying American companies and American citizen crews are more than capable of handling domestic waterborne transportation requirements on a going forward basis, including many operating in the affected Gulf region."

It is of particular interest to CAMM and all leaders of the US Flag shipping community that we stand united in times of crisis and disaster in providing the secure transportation needs of American citizens without foreign intervention to the fullest extent possible. This, in The Council’s view, means that all avenues and resources must be completely expended, and that a majority of selected US Flag community maritime experts agree with any decision to permit issuance of limited and temporary waivers prior to an Administration’s decision to open a breach in Jones Act provisions.

It is the Council’s view that The Administration be particularly wary of corporate interests traditionally hostile to a viable US Merchant Marine who hastily attempt to make their mark using the pretexts and uncertainty following a national disaster to affect long-term precedents in their ultimate goal of “out-sourcing” our country’s merchant flag.

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