Coastwise Transportation; 46 U.S.C. § 55103; 19 C.F.R. § 4.50(b).

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20229 U.S. Customs and Border Protection HQ H262932 March 20, 2015 VES-3-OT:RR:BSTC:CCR HQ H262932 DAC CATEGORY: Carriers Michael La Maina Maersk Line Limited One Commercial Place, 20th Floor Norfolk, VA 23510-2103 RE: Coastwise Transportation; 46 U.S.C. § 55103; 19 C.F.R. § 4.50(b). Dear Mr. La Maina: This is in response to your correspondence of March 19, 2015, in which you inquire about the coastwise transportation of the one individual mentioned therein aboard the MV MAERSK COLUMBUS. Our decision follows. FACTS The voyage in question involves the transportation of the subject individual aboard the non-coastwise-qualified MV MAERSK COLUMBUS (“the vessel”). The individual will embark the vessel in Elizabeth, New Jersey on or about March 30, 2015 and will disembark in Savannah, Georgia on or about April 3, 2015. The subject individual is the spouse of the Captain of the vessel. ISSUE Whether the individual described in the FACTS section is a “passenger” within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. § 55103 and 19 C.F.R. § 4.50(b). LAW and ANALYSIS Generally, the coastwise laws prohibit the transportation of passengers or merchandise between points in the United States embraced within the coastwise laws in any vessel other than a vessel built in, documented under the laws of, and owned by citizens of the United States. Such a vessel, after it has obtained a coastwise endorsement from the U.S. Coast Guard, is said to be “coastwise qualified.” The coastwise laws generally apply to points in the territorial sea, which is defined as the belt, three nautical miles wide, seaward of the territorial sea baseline, and to points located in internal waters, landward of the territorial sea baseline. The coastwise law applicable to the carriage of passengers is found in 46 U.S.C. § 55103 which provides: (a) In General. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or chapter 121 of this title, a vessel may not transport passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, unless the vessel- (1) is wholly owned by citizens of the United States for purposes of engaging in coastwise trade; and (2) has been issued a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 or is exempt from documentation but would otherwise be eligible for such a certificate and endorsement. (b) Penalty. The penalty for violating subsection (a) is $300 for each passenger transported and landed. Section 4.50 (b) of the Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) Regulations provide: A passenger within the meaning of this part is any person carried on a vessel who is not connected with the operation of the vessel, her navigation, ownership, or business. In the present case, you state that the subject individual is the spouse of the Captain of the vessel. It is CBP’s longstanding position that the spouse and children of officers of a vessel are not passengers for purposes of the passenger coastwise statute. See General Letter No. 117 (May 20, 1916) from the former Bureau of Navigation. The Captain is an “officer of a vessel.” Therefore, the spouse of the Captain of the vessel may be aboard a non-coastwise-qualified vessel during a coastwise voyage and is not a “passenger” within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. § 55103 and 19 C.F.R. § 4.50(b). See HQ H007256 (Feb. 26, 2007); HQ H020279 (Nov. 30, 2007); HQ H108295 (June 7, 2010); HQ 174875 (July 13, 2011); and HQ H177335 (Aug. 1, 2011). Accordingly, the coastwise transportation of the subject individual would not be in violation of 46 U.S.C. § 55103. See also H205796 (Feb. 23, 2012); H245696 (Aug. 29, 2013). HOLDING The individual described in the FACTS section above is not a “passenger” within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. § 55103 and 19 C.F.R. § 4.50(b). Therefore, the coastwise transportation of such individual would not be in violation of 46 U.S.C. § 55103. Sincerely, Lisa L. Burley Chief/Supervisory Attorney-Advisor Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted Merchandise Branch Office of International Trade, Regulations and Rulings