SUPER ALASKA CRUISE
U.S.-Flag Cruise Ship Pilot Project Statute
This is the law that permitted the United States Lines to purchase and use the Nieuw Amsterdam (from Holland America Cruise Lines) as well as to sail under the US flag. It will be called the 'Patriot'. Ownership transfers after the 2000 Alaska cruise season.
Public Law 105-56
Defense Appropriation Act
October 8, 1997
Sec. 8109. From funds made available by this Act for the Maritime Technology Program up to $250,000 shall be made available to assist with a pilot project that will facilitate the transfer of commercial cruise ship shipbuilding technology and expertise to United States yards, utilize the experience and expertise of existing U.S.-flag cruise ship operators, and enable the operation of a U.S.-flag foreign-built cruise ship, and two newly constructed U.S.-flag cruise ships: Provided, That a person (including a related person with respect to that person) who, within 18 months after the date of enactment, enters into a binding contract for construction in the United States of two cruise ships, which contract shall provide for the construction of two cruise ships of equal or greater size than the cruise ship being operated by such person on the date of enactment and shall require the delivery of the first cruise ship no later than January 1, 2005, and the second cruise ship no later than January 1, 2008, may document with a coastwise endorsement a cruise ship constructed pursuant to this section and a foreign-built cruise ship otherwise in compliance with 46 U.S.C. 289, 883, and 12106 until such date which is 24 months after the delivery of the second cruise ship or any subsequently delivered cruise ship: Provided further, That a person (including a related person with respect to that person) within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. 801 may not operate a U.S.-flag foreign-built cruise ship, or any other cruise ship, in coastwise trade between or among the islands of Hawaii, upon execution of the contract referred to in this section and continuing throughout the life expectancy (as that term is used in 46 U.S.C. App. 1125) of a newly constructed U.S.-flag cruise ship referred to in this section, unless the cruise ship is operated by a person (including a related person with respect to that person) that is operating a cruise ship in coastwise trade between or among the islands of Hawaii on the date of enactment, except if any cruise ship constructed pursuant to this section operates in regular service other than between or among the islands of Hawaii: Provided further, That for purposes of this section the term ``cruise ship'' means a vessel that is at least 10,000 gross tons (as measured under chapter 143 of title 46, United States Code) and has berth or stateroom accommodations for at least 275 passengers: Provided further, That for purposes of this section, unless otherwise defined in this section, the term ``person'' means a corporation, partnership or association the controlling interest of which is owned by citizens of the United States within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. 802(b): Provided further, That for purposes of this section the term ``related person'' means with respect to a person: (1) a holding company, subsidiary, affiliate or association of the person; and (2) an officer, director, or agent of the person or of an entity referred to in (1): Provided further, That none of the funds provided in this or any other Act may be obligated for the tooling to construct or the construction of vessels addressed by this section.
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