Gulfcoast Transit Co.; Notice of Application for Temporary Written Consent Pursuant to Section 506 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, for the transfer of the JANIS GUZZLE to the domestic coastwise trade

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket S-905, Sub 1]

Gulfcoast Transit Co.; Notice of Application for Temporary

Written Consent Pursuant to Section 506 of the Merchant Marine Act,

1936, as amended, for the transfer of the JANIS GUZZLE to the domestic

coastwise trade

Notice is hereby given that Gulfcoast Transit Company (Gulfcoast),

a U.S. company, by letter dated December 7, 1994, renewed its request

for temporary written consent pursuant to section 506 of the Merchant

Marine Act, 1936, as amended (Act), for transfer of the construction-

differential subsidy built (CDS) tug M/V JANIS GUZZLE to domestic

coastwise trade for not more than six months during a 12-month period.

Gulfcoast's original request of April 15, 1994, for section 506

consent was Noticed on May 4, 1994, (59 F.R. 23253), Docket S-905, with

a closing date of May 18, 1994. Gulfcoast contends that since then,

there have been protracted rounds of comments concerning its request.

In this connection, Gulfcoast points out that while this exchange has

enabled the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to ascertain the full range

of facts and issues concerning its request, the dialogue has also

consumed seven months time without resolution. Moreover, Gulfcoast

believes that it has rendered its original request moot to the extent

that Gulfcoast sought a temporary six month transfer within the

calendar year 1994. Thus, Gulfcoast points out that there are no longer

six months remaining in calendar year 1994.

In view of the aforementioned, Gulfcoast requests that MARAD

consider its original request for six months approval be granted from

the date MARAD issues its decision. Gulfcoast states that there has

been no change in its request, its proposed use of the M/V JANIS

GUZZLE, the lack of other suitable Artubar tugs or its safety concerns.

Further, Gulfcoast avers that it has made an adequate showing for

the use of the tug in its coal phosphate operations by virtue of its

operational suitability. Additionally, it has demonstrated that the

adverse impact on other domestic vessels would be de minimis due to its

proprietary coal business and long term backhaul phosphate contracts

and that MARAD's approval of its request would further the purposes of

the Act.

Any person, firm, or corporation having any interest in the

application for section 506 consent and desiring to submit comments

concerning Gulfcoast's request must by the close of business on Jan.

11, 1995, file written comments in triplicate, to the Secretary,

Maritime Administration, Room 7210, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh

Street, SW., Washington, DC. 20590. The Maritime Administration, as a

matter of discretion, will consider any comments submitted and take

such action as may be deemed appropriate.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 20.800

Construction-Differential Subsidies (CDS)).

By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

Dated: December 21, 1994.

Joel C. Richard,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 94-31854 Filed 12-27-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-81-P