Jones Act

[jeppler]

https://www.workboat.com/news/coast...cain-introduces-jones-act-repeal-legislation/

Wonder if this helps cruise lines? I don't see them mentioned specifically in the bill language

 

[cmwade77]

I would imagine it would because it is this act that causes the whole must dock in a foreign port thing, so if it is repealed in its entirety, I would think that requirement would go away.

Now there may also be an unintended consequence, it may end up being that even closed loop cruises would need to require passports, I don't know the details on the law as far as that goes.

ETA: Never mind, apparently they are two separate acts, I thought it was the same one.

 

[NS8VN]

A full repeal would allow ships flying a foreign flag (ie, every cruise ship except NCL Pride of America) to go from one American port to another without visiting a foreign port. This might make for some interesting coastal touring options, going up and down the East and West coasts or Gulf visiting multiple cities. It would allow better Alaska and Hawaii cruises potentially.

But, if it is amended that will depend on the amendment. It sounds as if McCain is more interested in shipping regulations than cruises so they might not change anything regarding the cruise industry. Or it may become even more convoluted and complicated than it already is. Hard to say given what could change between introduction and passing of a bill, if it were to be passed that is.

And ignore all of that as clten pointed out that I was confusing the two acts. Next time I say "I am not a lawyer" nobody will question that

 

[clten]

This specifies that he is trying to repeal the Jones act -- which deals specifically with shipping goods. It is the Passenger Vessel Service Act (PVSA) that hinders foreign flagged cruise ships from sailing between two US ports without all types of red tape. The confusion is that people often misquote the PVSA and call it the Jones Act.

So repealing the Jones Act in no way impacts the cruise industry. Sorry.

 

[OKW Lover]

Can't see this happening anytime soon. The US unions will certainly be against it.

 

[cmwade77]

This specifies that he is trying to repeal the Jones act -- which deals specifically with shipping goods. It is the Passenger Vessel Service Act (PVSA) that hinders foreign flagged cruise ships from sailing between two US ports without all types of red tape. The confusion is that people often misquote the PVSA and call it the Jones Act.

So repealing the Jones Act in no way impacts the cruise industry. Sorry.

Funny thing is I thought it was all governed by the same act as well.

 

[cmwade77]

A full repeal would allow ships flying a foreign flag (ie, every cruise ship except NCL Pride of America) to go from one American port to another without visiting a foreign port. This might make for some interesting coastal touring options, going up and down the East and West coasts or Gulf visiting multiple cities. It would allow better Alaska and Hawaii cruises potentially.

But, if it is amended that will depend on the amendment. It sounds as if McCain is more interested in shipping regulations than cruises so they might not change anything regarding the cruise industry. Or it may become even more convoluted and complicated than it already is. Hard to say given what could change between introduction and passing of a bill, if it were to be passed that is.

And ignore all of that as clten pointed out that I was confusing the two acts. Next time I say "I am not a lawyer" nobody will question that

Ok, so how did you do the strikethrough?

 

[NS8VN]

Ok, so how did you do the strikethrough?

[ s ] and [ /s ] without the spaces

 

[gary in florida]

error

 

[cmwade77]

[ s ] and [ /s ] without the spaces

Thank you

 

[over50visits]

https://www.workboat.com/news/coast...cain-introduces-jones-act-repeal-legislation/

Wonder if this helps cruise lines? I don't see them mentioned specifically in the bill language

I don't think cruise lines want "help" because it is economically advantageous to register in a country other than the US. Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act ("Jones Act" named after the Senator) prohibits cabotage (carrying merchandise or people between US ports). This act embodies the cabotage provisions from the earlier PVSA.

So, cruise ships have to include a foreign stop. Even if that restriction were lifted, not much different would happen since Disney (and others) choose countries of registry with less restrictive laws protecting the crew, and for tax advantage. All that might happen is they would add US-to-US port cruises.

So, in that sense, it would "help" since Disney could have, for example, a NY-FL (Disneyworld) cruise without having to go to Nassau.

 

[hrhdhd]

So, in that sense, it would "help" since Disney could have, for example, a NY-FL (Disneyworld) cruise without having to go to Nassau.

As it stands, they couldn't do that cruise unless stopping at a distant foreign port, e.g., the ABC islands or somewhere in South America.

 

[longboard55]

The killer is Hawaii, they are a 5 night cruise from the closest foreign port

 

[cmwade77]

The killer is Hawaii, they are a 5 night cruise from the closest foreign port

Yep and eliminating this would fix that problem.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yep and eliminating this would fix that problem.

You think they'll change the law for just one itinerary?

 

[longboard55]

If we are really about America first we would, I think a west coast cruise or an east coast cruise would be great. Does anyone really want to go to ensenada. We leave a lot of money for the Bahamians to enjoy. If Hawaii could do cruises with a foreign staff they would have 4 ships, one for each island to rotate, now they have one lousy one

 

[cmwade77]

You think they'll change the law for just one itinerary?

I don't know, but really there is more than just the one, it really would keep more money in America.

 

[mjackson]

The Jones Act primary purpose is to protect American seamen, American jobs, US shipyards, and national security. If the Jones Act was eliminated it would cost the US military billions of dollars as most of sealift support for military operations. Also national security would be at a greater risk and threat because all waterways including rivers, ports, etc would be much more difficult to control. Yes the Jones Act has increased cost as it is more expensive to build and operate a ship using a US shipyard and US crew however without the Jones Act, like other countries that dissolved cabotage laws, we would see these industries go away. In fact studies of countries that eliminated the Jones Act found costs did not go down and service was eroded. The military can not cost effectively build new ships with the latest top secret technology without US shipyards. I agree in some cases such as cruises the Jones Act may too much such as Hawaii but its hard to separate for certain areas. Also US airlines fall under the Jones Act so Delta, American, etc would also be at risk of going out of business.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Jones Act is one of the factors that make Puerto Rico less competitive for business.
Originally envisioned as a jobs-preservation effort for US workers; It has resulted in all sorts of unintended consequences that have hurt the US economy (e.g., no direct cruises from Washington - Alaska, Florida - Puerto Rico, with/out stops in Canada / Bahama).

 

[hrhdhd]

Jones Act is one of the factors that make Puerto Rico less competitive for business.

Originally envisioned as a jobs-preservation effort for US workers; It has resulted in all sorts of unintended consequences that have hurt the US economy (e.g., no direct cruises from Washington - Alaska, Florida - Puerto Rico, with/out stops in Canada / Bahama).

Puerto Rico is excepted from the Jones Act/PVSA. I took a cruise last December from Miami to San Juan, and the following cruise went from San Juan back to Miami.