The Senate Commerce Committee may next week consider a bill (S. 803) that would allow foreign-flag cruise ships into the U.S. market. The Great Lakes Maritime Task, the largest coalition of Great Lakes maritime interests, has sent the following letter to Arizona Senator John McCain, Chairman of that Committee, and other Committee members, opposing S. 803 or similar legislation. For more complete details, please read the letter from the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, the national organization promoting the U.S. Cabotage laws.
July 21, 1998
The Honorable John McCain
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-0303
Dear Senator McCain:
The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force champions a healthy U.S.-Flag merchant marine and related maritime activity on the Great Lakes. The Task Force is comprised of labor and management representing ship operators and merchant mariners; shipyards; longshoremen, terminal operators, ...
On July 29, the Senate Commerce Committee will consider legislation, S. 803, that purports to increase the opportunities for Americans to cruise between our nation’s riparian cities. The goal is worthy, but is being presently accomplished under existing law, the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Right now there are approximately 30 large U.S.-Flag passenger vessels under construction or in advanced design. When these ships are christened in the next 5-10 years, tens of thousands more Americans will join the 100 million citizens who annually cruise our waters in vessels that are U.S.-owned, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-built.
There is no reason to support S. 803 or similar legislation, but there is a great need to oppose this bill, as it would set a dangerous precedent. S. 803 would allow foreign corporations and workers to compete in American domestic commerce, yet exempt them for virtually all our laws and regulations. Not only would S. 803 create an unlevel playing field, the absence of compliance with the full scope of American laws would endanger that most precious of cargos — human beings. On July 17, 1998, NBC Nightly News broadcast a report on the state of cruising from American ports and an official of the National Transportation Safety Board stated bluntly that in many instances, passengers on older foreign-flag ships would be safer "in a cheap roadside motel."
In short, the American-Flag cruise ship industry is rebuilding itself at a record pace. S. 803 will scuttle that revival once and for all. I urge you to oppose this bill or similar legislation.
Sincerely,
George J. Ryan
President