Small Vessel Cargo Exemption

HJR 47 asks the United States Coast Guard to amend its regulations to allow for small vessels to simultaneously carry fuel, cargo and passengers and be constructed of aluminum.

The delivery of supplies to communities, homes and businesses in rural Alaska can be costly. Most supplies get to these remote communities and businesses via large barge companies or plane and within this transportation sector there is a niche that can be exploited by smaller vessels to carry supplies that are too big for a plane but does not warrant the use of a large tug and barge operation.

Current federal laws and regulations do not allow this. While 46 USC 3302(i)(1) does provide for single vessel exemptions, the law prohibits what can be a successful sector of the transportation industry in Alaska.

This legislation asks the federal government to take into consideration the transportation challenges of Alaska and its effect on the state's economy. I urge your support.