Jones Act - Boats Allowed for Sale in US

[nicodellanno82]

HI everybody!

I'm an Italian producer of motorcruisers under the brand name SEACODE.
I've been asked to sell some of our boats in the US, but the dealer asked me if we are compliant with the Jones Act. Since it is the first time I would sell boats in the US I don't really know about it.
Could anyone please tell me what exactly this Act say, and why it prohibits many boats from being sold in the US?

Thank you!

[Ziggy]

Jones Act is Title 46 of the U.S. Code. It covers all aspects of merchant marine and maritime trade, including recreational vessel safety regulations. Any boat sold in the U.S. would need to comply with these safety regulations.

[Sunspot Baby]

A good place to start learning about the Jones Act is Wikipedia. Lots of links from there to more detailed information.

Merchant Marine Act of 1920 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George

[JonesActLawyer]

Try going to Jones Act Maritime Admiralty Court Decisions Cases Questions and Answers. Though it also has Jones Act legal answers on the injury side of the Jones Act, it also has explanations, articles and other matters relating to the cabotage side of what is commonly referred to as the Jones Act.

[nicodellanno82]

thank you all guys!
I'm still trying to figure out which is the section with technical specification for motor boats.. any hint about it?
grazie mille!

[GordMay]

Check out the CFR’s, particularly, Title 46 - Shipping (and perhaps Title 33) of the Code of Federal Regulations.
46 ➥ The Code of Federal Regulations
33 ➥ The Code of Federal Regulations

[Chief Engineer]

Foreign built vessels cannot engage in carrying passengers for hire.

In other words, you can't use a foreign built vessel for charter service in the USofA

[osirissail]

Come on guys, He is not asking about anything other than what is necessary to "sell" boats in the USA. Just like in the E.U. you have to document that the boat you want to market complies with the safety regulations that are supposed to provide a level of "protection" for their citizens from defective or unsafe vessels. The USA has the same type of laws and regulations for all forms of transportation vehicles and vessels that are marketed. You can access the regulations yourself and get a feeling for what is needed, but normally it is much wiser to consult a specialist such as a "Trade Lawyer" to get a definitive understanding of the requirements to import and market a vessel.
- - Since there are many "foreign" vessels marketed in the USA (and vice versa, in the E.U.) if your vessels are built to E.U. standards there will be only minor other considerations to enable them to be marketed in the USA. A lot of the items involve placards and electrical systems.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

Foreign built vessels cannot engage in carrying passengers for hire.

In other words, you can't use a foreign built vessel for charter service in the USofA

1. Sure you can. First, the Jones Act requires the vessel to be U.S. flagged, not U.S. built. There are plenty of U.S. flagged vessels that have been built elsewhere. They just have to comply with U.S. safety regulations and notice requirements (e.g. placards).

2. If you want to carry passengers you can set up a "bareboat" chartering arrangement using a head charterer that is a U.S. citizen. Any good maritime law firm can do this for you.

3. And if all else fails, a Jones Act waiver may be available, see e.g. Jones Act Waivers | Maritime Law Exemptions

[Chief Engineer]

Small Vessel Waiver Program