,i  #aag? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,h4
 ,r4 #iedh  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(          
,,repres5tatives  ,decemb] #ad1         
#bjbb,mr4 ,g>am5di introduc$ ! foll[+   
bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on   
,transportation & ,infra/ructure1 & 9   
addition to ! ,committee on ,rules1 = a 
p]iod to be subsequ5tly det]m9$ by !    
,speak]1 9 ea* case = consid]ation ( su*
 provisions z fall )9 ! jurisdiction ( !
 committee conc]n$  ,a ,,bill  ,to      
require ! ,commission] ( ,u4,s4 ,cu/oms 
& ,bord] ,protection to make c]ta9      
det]m9ations 9 en=c+ ! ,jones ,act1 & = 
o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act
 may be cit$ z ! ,close ,ag5cy          
,loopholes to ! ,jones ,act4  #b4 ,f9d+s
 ,congress f9ds ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,9 #aibj1
 ,congress enact$ ! ,m]*ant ,m>9e ,act  
7*apt]s #aba & #eea ( title #df1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code71 commonly ref]r$ to z !   
,jones ,act4  7#b7 ,9 #aiec1 ,congress  
enact$ ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s    
,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq47      
apply+ ! ,con/itution1 laws1 & civil &  

political jurisdiction ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 to ! out] ,cont95tal ,%elf4  7#c7 ,9   
#bjbj1 ,congress enact$ section #iejc ( 
! ,william ,m4 7,mac7 ,?ornb]ry         
,national ,def5se ,au?orization ,act =  
,fiscal ,ye> #bjba 7,public ,law        
#aaf-bhc7 affirm+ t application ( !     
,con/itution1 laws1 & civil & political 
jurisdiction ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to ! out]
 ,cont95tal ,%elf also applies to       
non-m9]al en]gy res\rces & explor+ =1   
develop+1 produc+1 transport+1 or       
transmitt+ su* res\rces4  7#d7 ,!re=e1 !
 ,jones ,act prohibits ! use ( a        
non-,jones ,act qualifi$ vessel = !     
provision ( any coa/wise transportation 
( m]*&ise to or f a port ( ! ,unit$     
,/ates 7includ+ t]ritories or           
possessions to :i* ! coa/wise laws      
apply7 to any po9t on ! out] ,cont95tal 
,%elf1 or betwe5 any two po9ts on ! out]
 ,cont95tal ,%elf4  7#e7 ,u4,s4 ,cu/oms 
& ,bord] ,protection 7h]e9aft] ref]r$ to
 z ,,cbp7 is responsible = int]pret+ &  
en=c+ ! ,jones ,act4 ,,cbp has issu$    

rul+ lett]s & o!r int]pretative guidance
 to reque/+ p>ties t provide !          
description ( propos$ activities4  7#f7 
,unlike mo/ f$]al ag5cies1 ,,cbp is     
requir$ by section #fbe7;c7 ( ! ,t>iff  
,act ( #aicj 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #afbe7;c77  
to foll[ its pa/ int]pretive guidance & 
treatm5ts ( sub/antially id5tical       
transactions1 unless x in/itutes a      
public notice & comm5t process to modify
 or revoke t int]pretative guidance4 ,z 
a result1 ,,cbp & m>ket p>ticipants     
treat z b9d+ rul+ lett]s & int]pretative
 guidance 9 address+ :e!r & h[ ! ,jones 
,act applies 9 sub/antially id5tical    
factual situations4  7#g7 ,?us1 ,,cbp's 
rul+ lett]s--ev5 if legally incorrect--h
 sub/antial impacts3 ,:5 ,,cbp purports 
to au?orize a =eign vessel to transport 
m]*&ise betwe5 coa/wise po9ts1 unless   
ord]$ by a ,f$]al c\rt to resc9d su*    
rul+ lett]s1 ,,cbp does n take en=cem5t 
action aga9/ o!r =eign vessels engag+ 9 
sub/antially id5tical transactions1 &   
vessel op]ators accord+ly rely on       

,,cbp's pa/ rul+ lett]s & guidance issu$
 to o!r p>ties4  7#h7 ,ov] sev]al       
decades1 ,,cbp has purport$ to create an
 array ( exemptions f ! prohibitions ( !
 ,jones ,act = ! b5efit ( =eign vessels4
  7#i7 ,on ,decemb] #aa1 #bjai1 ,,cbp   
publi%$ ,cu/oms ,bullet9 & ,decisions1  
,vol4 #ec1 ,no4 #de 7h]e9aft] ref]r$ to 
z ! #bjai ,decision7 revok+ a h&ful (   
its int]pretations1 recogniz+ t !       
analyses employ$ !re9 7 inconsi/5t ) !  
,jones ,act & orig9al congressional     
int5t1 includ+ by us+ /atutory language 
out ( context1 hav+ be5 sup]s$$ by      
am5dm5ts1 or be+ pr$icat$ on            
,,cbp-creat$ di/9ctions t _h always be5 
irrelevant "u ! ,jones ,act4  7#aj7     
,h[ev]1 ! #bjai ,decision /ill left 9   
=ce _m rul+ lett]s inconsi/5t ) ! ,jones
 ,act & orig9al congressional int5t1    
esp\s+ ! same unlawful doctr9es1 revok$ 
o!rs t prop]ly int]pret$ ! ,jones ,act1 
& creat$ sev]al new loopholes t purport 
to immunize mu* ( ! same =eign vessel   
activities t are n[1 & h always be51    

prohibit$ "u ! ,jones ,act4  7#aa7 ,?us1
 ,,cbp has creat$ invalid exemptions f !
 prohibition embodi$ 9 ! ,jones ,act1   
us+ a v>iety ( new & old doctr9es       
inconsi/5t ) orig9al congressional      
int5t4 ,9 #bjad1 ! ,supreme ,c\rt ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates f\nd 9 ,utility ,air      
,regulatory ,gr\p4 v4 ,environm5tal     
,protection ,ag5cy 7#egc ,u4,s4 #cjb1   
#cbh7 t x is a core adm9i/rative law    
pr9ciple t an ag5cy may n rewrite cle>  
/atutory t]ms to suit its own s5se ( h[ 
! /atute %\ld op]ate4  7#ab7 ,^!        
invalid1 ultra vires doctr9es1 & _!     
uses1 include-- 7,a7 an unlawfully broad
 int]pretation ( vessel equipm5t :i*    
conflicts ) ,congress' /atutory         
description ( m]*&ise1 & ! explicit1    
limit$ /atutory exemption2  7,b7 ! paid 
out n unlad5 doctr9e1 :i* provides t    
pipe or cable lay+ op]ations are n      
coa/wise trade subject to ! ,jones      
,act--ev5 :5 ! pipe is laid betwe5 two  
coa/wise po9ts1 & 9 spite ( ,congress'  
/atutory prohibition aga9/ =eign vessels

 p]=m+ any "p ( ! transportation by wat]
 ( m]*&ise2  7,c7 ! paid out n unlad5   
doctr9e is also us$ by =eign vessel     
op]ators to ju/ify ! transportation (   
m]*&ise atta*$ to ! paid out pipe or    
cable2  7,d7 ! lift+ op]ations          
exemption1 :i* purports to p]mit        
self-propell$ movem5ts by a vessel :5   
us+ a crane or l equipm5t to in/all or  
remove m]*&ise on or f (f%ore facilities
 or subsea infra/ructure2  7,e7 !       
decommission+ activity exemption1 :i*   
purports t m]*&ise transport$ z a result
 ( decommission+--i4e41 ! re/oration ( !
 sea-floor & ! wat] surface by plugg+ & 
ab&on+ ! well & remov+ ! in/allation &  
facility--is n subject to ! ,jones ,act2
  7,f7 ! (f%ore rese>* vessel           
misapplications1 :i* improp]ly ext5ds ! 
exclusion = oceanographic or            
limnological rese>* vessels to comm]cial
 rese>* activities t directly support ! 
exploration =1 or developm5t1           
production1 transportation1 or          
transmission (1 res\rces1 on ! out]     

,cont95tal ,%elf2 &  7,g7 ! pri/9e seab$
 exemption1 :]e ,,cbp has purport$ to   
hold t ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s      
,act's explicit application to ! subsoil
 & seab$ ( ! out] ,cont95tal ,%elf does 
n include ! pri/9e seab$4  7#ac7 ,if a  
rul+ lett] is contr>y to ! /atute's pla9
 text & ! express$ int5t ( ,congress1 or
 f\nd unp]suasive by a ,f$]al c\rt1 x w 
be invalidat$ z arbitr>y & caprici\s4   
7#ad7 ,f$]al c\rts h n squ>ely address$ 
! int]pretations conta9$ 9 ^! ,,cbp rul+
 lett]s & o!r guidance1 & ?us h nev]    
upheld ^! int]pretations z valid &      
au?oritative4  #c4 ,preclud+ exemptions 
f ,jones ,act requirem5ts = c]ta9 =eign 
vessels ,! ,secret>y may n provide any  
exemption f ! requirem5ts ( *apt]s #aba 
& #eea ( title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 
7commonly ref]r$ to z ! ,jones ,act71 to
 ! own] ( a =eign vessel engag+ 9       
comm]cial transportation s]vices to     
directly support ! exploration =1 or    
developm5t1 production1 transportation1 
or transmission (1 res\rces1 includ+    

non-m9]al en]gy res\rces1 f a plann+ or 
leas+ area designat$ by ! ,secret>y ( ! 
,int]ior "u ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf    
,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq474
  #d4 ,oceanographic rese>* vessels  7a7
 ,9 g5]al ,9 en=c+ *apt] #eea ( title   
#df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 ! ,secret>y   
may n det]m9e t a vessel engag+ 9       
comm]cial rese>* activities to directly 
support ! exploration =1 or developm5t1 
production1 transportation1 or          
transmission (1 res\rces1 includ+       
non-m9]al en]gy res\rces1 f a plann+ or 
leas+ area designat$ by ! ,secret>y ( ! 
,int]ior "u ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf    
,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq47 
is n engag$ 9 trade or comm]ce "u su*   
*apt]4  7b7 ,oceanographic rese>* vessel
 cl>ification ,section #ejejc ( title   
#df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code is am5d$ by    
ins]t+ 1 except t any vessel engag+ 9   
comm]cial rese>* activities to directly 
support ! exploration =1 or developm5t1 
production1 transportation1 or          
transmission (1 res\rces1 includ+       

non-m9]al en]gy res\rces1 f a plann+ or 
leas+ area designat$ by ! ,secret>y ( ! 
,int]ior "u ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf    
,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq47 
may be det]m9$ to be engag$ 9 trade or  
comm]ce "u ?is section aft] trade or    
comm]ce4  7c7 ,designation ,! ,comm&ant 
( ! ,coa/ ,gu>d %all d5y any reque/ f a 
=eign vessel to be designat$ z an       
oceanographic rese>* vessel = any su*   
vessel engag+ 9 comm]cial rese>*        
activities to directly support !        
exploration =1 or developm5t1           
production1 transportation1 or          
transmission (1 res\rces1 includ+       
non-m9]al en]gy res\rces1 f a plann+ or 
leas+ area designat$ by ! ,secret>y ( ! 
,int]ior "u ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf    
,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq474
  7d7 ,revocation or modification (     
c]ta9 rul+ lett]s  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!     
,secret>y %all revoke or modify1 z      
appropriate1 ! foll[+ headqu>t]s rul+   
lett]s3 7,a7 ,,hq ,h#bafegi 7,may #ae1  
#bjab74  7,b7 ,,hq ,h#bjefee 7,m>* #bj1 

#bjab74  7,c7 ,,hq #aabhcj 7,augu/ #ab1 
#aiic74  7,d7 ,,hq #aajcfd 7,septemb]   
#bi1 #aihi74  7#b7 ,sub/antially        
id5tical transatcions ,! ,secret>y %all 
revoke or modify1 z appropriate1 any    
treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+ lett]s1 accord$ 
by ! ,secret>y to transactions t are    
sub/antially id5tical to ! transactions 
describ$ 9 ! rul+ lett]s li/$ 9 p>agraph
 7#a74  #e4 ,u4,s4 ,cu/oms & ,bord]     
,protection rul+s  7a7 ,vessel equipm5t 
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 en=c+ *apt] #eea (     
title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 !       
,secret>y may n apply an int]pretation (
 ! t]ms vessel equipm5t or equipm5t t   
conflicts ) ! def9ition ( ! t]m m]*&ise 
or sections #eeaje1 #eeajf1 #eeajg1     
#eeajh1 #eeaaj1 #eeaac1 & #eeaae ( su*  
title4  7#b7 ,revocation or modification
 ( c]ta9 rul+ lett]s  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!  
,secret>y %all revoke or modify1 z      
appropriate1 any rul+ lett]s t apply an 
incorrect int]pretation ( ! t]ms vessel 
equipm5t or equipm5t z describ$ 9       
p>agraph 7#a71 includ+ ! foll[+         

headqu>t]s rul+ lett]s3 7i7 ,,hq        
,h#jcbgeg 7,july #bh1 #bjjh74  7ii7 ,,hq
 ,h#jbidag 7,june #e1 #bjjh74  7iii7    
,,hq ,h#jjdbdb 7,decemb] #bb1 #bjjf74   
7iv7 ,,hq #aafjgh 7,febru>y #aa1 #bjjd74
  7v7 ,,hq #aaeich 7,april #a1 #bjjc74  
7vi7 ,,hq #aaegga 7,augu/ #ai1 #bjjb74  
7vii7 ,,hq #aaeccc 7,april #bg1 #bjja74 
7viii7 ,,hq #aaedhg 7,novemb] #bj1      
#bjja74  7ix7 ,,hq #aaecha 7,june #ae1  
#bjja74  7x7 ,,hq #aaddce 7,augu/ #f1   
#aiih74  7xi7 ,,hq #aadcje 7,m>* #ca1   
#aiih74  7xii7 ,,hq #aachda 7,febru>y   
#bh1 #aiig74  7xiii7 ,,hq #aacacg 7,june
 #bg1 #aiid74  7xiv7 ,,hq #aabbah 7,july
 #bb1 #aiib74  7xv7 ,,hq #aaahhi        
7,febru>y #aa1 #aiib74  7xvi7 ,,hq      
#aaahib 7,septemb] #af1 #aiia74  7xvii7 
,,hq #aajdjb 7,augu/ #ah1 #aihi74       
7xviii7 ,,hq #ajhbbc 7,m>* #ac1 #aihf74 
7xix7 ,,hq #ajefdd 7,june #g1 #aihb74   
7xx7 ,,hq #ajaibe 7,octob] #g1 #aigf74  
7,b7 ,sub/antially id5tical transactions
 ,! ,secret>y %all revoke or modify1 z  
appropriate1 any treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+

 lett]s1 accord$ by ! ,secret>y to      
transactions t are sub/antially id5tical
 to ! transactions describ$ 9 ! rul+    
lett]s li/$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74  7b7    
,paid out n unlad5  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9    
en=c+ *apt] #eea ( title #df1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 ! ,secret>y may n det]m9e 
t pipe or cable lay+ op]ations1 includ+ 
! transportation ( m]*&ise atta*$ to su*
 pipe or cable1 are n subject to su*    
*apt] because ! vessel pays out ! pipe  
or cable to a coa/wise po9t4  7#b7      
,revocation or modification ( c]ta9 rul+
 lett]s  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all
 revoke or modify1 z appropriate1 any   
rul+ lett]s t apply an incorrect        
det]m9ation ) respect to pipe or cable  
lay+ op]ations describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71
 includ+ ! foll[+ headqu>t]s rul+       
lett]s3 7i7 ,,hq #aaeebb 7,decemb] #c1  
#bjja74  7ii7 ,,hq #aaedhg 7,novemb]    
#bj1 #bjja74  7iii7 ,,hq #aaecaa 7,may  
#aj1 #bjja74  7iv7 ,,hq #aaeccc 7,april 
#bg1 #bjja74  7v7 ,,hq #aaddce 7,augu/  
#f1 #aiih74  7vi7 ,,hq #aadcje 7,m>*    

#ca1 #aiih74  7vii7 ,,hq #ajefdd 7,june 
#g1 #aihb74  7viii7 ,,hq #ajaibe        
7,octob] #g1 #aigf7 7also ref]r$ to z   
,t4,d4 #gh-chg74  7,b7 ,sub/antially    
id5tical transactions ,! ,secret>y %all 
revoke or modify1 z appropriate1 any    
treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+ lett]s1 accord$ 
by ! ,secret>y to transactions t are    
sub/antially id5tical to ! transactions 
describ$ 9 ! rul+ lett]s li/$ 9         
subp>agraph 7,a74  7c7 ,lift+ op]ations 
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 en=c+ *apt] #eea (     
title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 !       
,secret>y may n exempt lift+ op]ations f
 ! requirem5ts ( su* *apt]4  7#b7       
,revocation or modification ( c]ta9     
ag5cy actions ,! ,secret>y %all-- 7,a7  
revoke or modify1 z appropriate1 any    
rul+ lett]s t apply ! exemption describ$
 9 p>agraph 7#a72  7,b7 modify ! ,cu/oms
 ,bullet9 & ,decision issu$ on ,decemb] 
#aa1 #bjai1 titl$ ,modification &       
revocation ( rul+ lett]s relat+ to      
,,cbp's application ( ! ,jones ,act to !
 transportation ( c]ta9 m]*&ise &       

equipm5t betwe5 coa/wise po9ts 7,cu/oms 
,bullet9 & ,decisions1 ,vol4 #ec1 ,no4  
#de7 to be consi/5t ) p>agraph 7#a72 &  
7,c7 revoke or modify1 z appropriate1   
any o!r treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+ lett]s1 
accord$ by ! ,secret>y to transactions t
 are sub/antially id5tical to !         
transactions describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph4   
7#c7 ,re9/atem5t ( c]ta9 rul+ lett]s ,^u
 revok+ & modify+ ! ag5cy actions "u    
p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,secret>y %all re9/ate 
! foll[+ headqu>t]s rul+ lett]s         
7popul>ly kn[n z ! ,k(f rul+s73 7,a7    
,,hq ,h#bdbdff 7,july #c1 #bjac74  7,b7 
,,hq ,h#bcebdb 7,novemb] #ae1 #bjab74   
7,c7 ,,hq ,h#bbeajb 7,septemb] #bd1     
#bjab74  7d7 ,in/allation activities    
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all revoke !
 foll[+ headqu>t]s rul+ lett]s 9 :i* !  
,secret>y det]m9$ t c]ta9 in/allation   
activities d n involve transportation ( 
m]*&ise betwe5 po9ts 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates =
 purposes ( section #eeajb ( title #df1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code3 7,a7 ,,hq #aaeahe  
7,novemb] #bj1 #bjjj74  7,b7 ,,hq       

#aaebah 7,novemb] #cj1 #bjjj74  7,c7    
,,hq #aachch 7,febru>y #be1 #aiig74     
7,d7 ,,hq #ajhddb 7,augu/ #ac1 #aihf74  
7#b7 ,simil> rul+ lett]s ,! ,secret>y   
%all revoke or modify1 z appropriate1   
any treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+ lett]s1     
accord$ by ! ,secret>y to transactions t
 are sub/antially id5tical to !         
transactions describ$ 9 ! rul+ lett]s   
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a74  7e7          
,decommission+  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 en=c+  
*apt] #eea ( title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 ! ,secret>y may n exempt m]*&ise 
transport$ z a result ( decommission+ an
 in/allation or facility on ! out]      
,cont95tal ,%elf f ! requirem5ts ( su*  
*apt]4  7#b7 ,revocation or modification
 ( c]ta9 rul+ lett]s ,! ,secret>y %all  
revoke or modify1 z appropriate-- 7,a7  
any rul+ lett]s t apply ! exemption     
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71 includ+ !     
headqu>t]s rul+ lett] ,,hq ,h#jjdbdb    
7,decemb] #bb1 #bjjf72 &  7,b7 any      
treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+ lett]s1 accord$ 
by ! ,secret>y to transactions t are    

sub/antially id5tical to ! transactions 
describ$ 9 ! rul+ lett] describ$ 9      
subp>agraph 7,a74  7f7 ,subsoil or seab$
 samples  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 en=c+ *apt]  
#eea ( title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 !
 ,secret>y may n det]m9e t-- 7,a7       
subsoil or seab$ samples are n m]*&ise =
 purposes ( section #eeajb ( title #df1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 or  7,b7 tak+      
subsoil or seab$ samples f ! seab$ is n 
consid]$ an in/allation or o!r device = 
purposes ( section #d7;a77#a7 ( ! ,out] 
,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc         
,u4,s4,c4 #accc7;a77#a774  7#b7         
,revocation or modification ( c]ta9 rul+
 lett]s  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all
 revoke or modify1 z appropriate1 any   
rul+ lett]s t apply an incorrect        
det]m9ation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71   
includ+ ! foll[+ headqu>t]s rul+ lett]s3
 7i7 ,,hq ,h#cagbhi 7,m>* #be1 #bjba74  
7ii7 ,,hq #aaegii 7,septemb] #cj1       
#bjjb74  7iii7 ,,hq #aaffjb 7,janu>y    
#cj1 #bjjf74  7iv7 ,,hq #ajhddb 7,augu/ 
#ac1 #aihf74  7,b7 ,sub/antially        

id5tical transactions ,! ,secret>y %all 
revoke or modify1 z appropriate1 any    
treatm5ts1 includ+ rul+ lett]s1 accord$ 
by ! ,secret>y to transactions t are    
sub/antially id5tical to ! transactions 
describ$ 9 ! rul+ lett]s li/$ 9         
subp>agraph 7,a74  7g7 ,pri/9e seab$    
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 en=c+ *apt] #eea (     
title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 !       
,secret>y may n det]m9e t su* *apt] does
 n apply to-- 7,a7 ! pri/9e seab$ ( !   
out] ,cont95tal ,%elf2 or  7,b7 articles
 or devices1 includ+ seismic nodes or   
rock1 aggregate1 or o!r sc\r protection 
mat]ials1 ei!r tempor>ily or p]man5tly  
plac$ onto or emb$d$ into ! seab$ on !  
out] ,cont95tal ,%elf4  7#b7 ,atta*$    
articles ,9 en=c+ *apt] #eea ( title    
#df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 ! ,secret>y   
%all det]m9e t any articles or devices  
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 t are     
atta*$ to ! seab$ are m]*&ise = !       
purposes ( section #eeajb ( su* title4  
7#c7 ,revocation ( c]ta9 rul+ lett]s ,! 
,secret>y %all revoke or modify1 z      

appropriate1 any rul+ lett]s t apply an 
incorrect det]m9ation describ$ 9        
p>agraph 7#a71 includ+ ! foll[+         
headqu>t]s rul+ lett]s3 7,a7 ,,hq       
,h#cagbhi 7,m>* #be1 #bjba74  7,b7 ,,hq 
#aaegii 7,septemb] #cj1 #bjjb74  7#d7   
,re9/atem5t ( rul+ lett] ,^u revok+ &   
modify+ ! ag5cy actions "u p>agraph     
7#c71 ! ,secret>y %all re9/ate          
headqu>t]s rul+ lett] ,,hq ,h#cjiahf    
7,janu>y #bg1 #bjba74  #f4 ,petitions by
 dome/ic int]e/$ p>ties  7a7 ,9 g5]al   
,*apt] #eea ( title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates  
,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+3  #eeabd4 ,petitions by dome/ic  
int]e/$ p>ties  7a7 ,reque/ =           
int]pretive rul+ ,! ,secret>y ( ,homel& 
,security %all1 ^u writt5 reque/ by an  
int]e/$ p>ty1 furni%1 )9 #fj days1 an   
int]pretive rul+ reg>d+ a non-coa/wise  
qualifi$ vessel's activities &          
compliance ) ,f$]al laws 9 ! int]nal    
wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! t]ritorial   
sea1 & ! wat]s ( ! out] ,cont95tal      
,%elf1 includ+ ! vessel's compliance )  

?is *apt] & section #ejejc4 ,if !       
int]e/$ p>ty believes t ! conclusion (  
su* int]pretive rul+1 or any o!r        
int]pretive rul+ reg>d+ ! int]pretation1
 application1 or en=cem5t ( ! coa/wise  
laws1 is incorrect1 su* p>ty may file a 
petition ) ! ,secret>y sett+ =? !       
foll[+3 7#a7 ,su* p>ty's und]/&+ ( !    
factual sc5>io4  7#b7 ,! outcome ( !    
decision t su* p>ty believes to be prop]
 9 ! provid$ factual sc5>io & ! reasons 
support+ su* p>ty's belief4  7b7        
,det]m9ation on petition ,if1 aft]      
receipt & consid]ation ( a petition fil$
 by su* an int]e/$ p>ty1 ! ,secret>y    
det]m9es t ! conclusion rea*$ 9 !       
conte/$ lett] is n correct1 ! ,secret>y 
%all det]m9e ! prop] outcome & notify ! 
petition] ( ! ,secret>y's det]m9ation )9
 #fj days4  7c7 ,conte/ by petition] ,if
 ! ,secret>y det]m9es t ! conte/$       
int]pretive rul+ fil$ pursuant to       
subsection 7a7 is correct1 ! ,secret>y  
%all notify ! petition] )9 #cj days4 ,if
 dissatisfi$ ) ! det]m9ation ( !        

,secret>y1 ! petition] may file ) !     
,secret>y1 n lat] ?an #cj days aft] !   
date ( ! notification1 notice t x       
desires to conte/ ! rul+4 ,^u receipt ( 
notice f ! petition]1 ! ,secret>y %all  
cause publication to be made )9 #g days 
( ! ,secret>y's det]m9ation z pres5t$ 9 
! rul+ lett]4  7d7 ,review ( int]pretive
 rul+ ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] !       
petition] files ! notice ( a desire to  
conte/ a rul+ "u subp>agraph 7c71 any   
int]e/$ p>ty may comm5ce an action 9 any
 di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 subject
 to ! v5ue requirem5ts ( section #acia (
 title #bh1 by fil+ concurr5tly a       
summons & compla9t1 ea* ) ! cont5t & 9 !
 =m1 mann]1 & /yle prescrib$ by ! rules 
( su* c\rt1 conte/+ any legal           
conclusions ( ! ,secret>y4  7e7         
,rulemak+ ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] !   
date ( enactm5t ( ?is section1 !        
,secret>y %all issue su* regulations z  
are necess>y to implem5t ?is section4   
7f7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7    
,coa/wise qualifi$ vessel ,! t]m        

coa/wise qualifi$ vessel has ! mean+    
giv5 su* t]m 9 section #eeajh7;a74  7#b7
 ,int]e/$ p>ty ,! t]m int]e/$ p>ty      
means-- 7,a7 ! own] or op]ator ( a      
vessel engag$ 9 coa/wise trade2  7,b7 a 
manufactur] ( coa/wise qualifi$ vessels2
  7,c7 a c]tifi$ union1 recogniz$ union1
 or gr\p ( work]s or m>9]s :i* is       
repres5tative ( an indu/ry engag$ or    
employ$ 9-- 7i7 ! coa/wise trade2 or    
7ii7 con/ruction ( coa/wise qualifi$    
vessels2  7,d7 a trade or bus9ess       
association ( :i* ! majority ( memb]s   
are-- 7i7 own]s or op]ators ( vessels   
engag$ 9 coa/wise trade2  7ii7          
manufactur]s ( coa/wise qualifi$        
vessels2 or  7,e7 an association ( :i* !
 majority ( memb]s are p]sons describ$ 9
 p>agraphs 7#a7 ?r\gh 7#d74  4  7b7     
,rulemak+ ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] !   
date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y 
%all issue su* regulations z are        
necess>y to implem5t ! am5dm5ts made by 
subsection 7a74  7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!
 analysis = *apt] #eea ( title #df1     

,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  #eeabd4 ,petitions by 
dome/ic int]e/$ p>ties4  4  #g4         
,congressional ,review ,act             
applicability  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+    
section #hjd7c77;,a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code1 = purposes ( ! application
 ( *apt] #h ( su* title to a cov]$ rul+ 
lett]1 ! t]m rule %all be read to       
include su* a cov]$ rul+ lett]4  7b7    
,def9ition ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m     
cov]$ rul+ lett] means a rul+ lett]     
issu$ aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4
  #h4 ,notification  7a7 ,advance       
notification requir$ ,prior to engag+ 9 
any activity or op]ations on ! out]     
,cont95tal ,%elf1 ! op]ator ( a =eign   
vessel us$ 9 su* activity or op]ations  
%all file ) ! ,secret>y a notification  
describ+ all activities & op]ations to  
be p]=m$ on ! out] ,cont95tal ,%elf & an
 id5tification ( applicable rul+ lett]s 
issu$ by ! ,secret>y t h approv$ ! use (
 a =eign vessel 9 a sub/antially simil> 
activity or op]ation4  7b7 ,publication 

( notices  7#a7 ,publication ,!         
,secret>y %all publi% a notification "u 
subsection 7a7 9 ! ,cu/oms ,bullet9 &   
,decisions )9 #ad days ( receipt ( su*  
notification4  7#b7 ,confid5tial        
in=mation ,! ,secret>y %all r$act any   
in=mation exempt f disclosure "u section
 #eeb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 9
 a notification publi%$ "u p>agraph     
7#a74  #i4 ,publication ( f9es &        
p5alties  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #eeajb (
 title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is     
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7d7   
,publication ( p5alty  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n 
lat] ?an #ad days aft] ! issuance ( a   
pre-p5alty notice or a p5alty1 includ+ a
 settlem5t1 "u subsection 7c71 !        
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security %all      
publi% su* pre-p5alty notice or a       
notification ( su* p5alty 9 ! ,cu/oms   
,bullet9 & ,decisions to ! p>ty impact$ 
by ! p5alty4  7#b7 ,cont5ts ,a          
pre-p5alty notice or p5alty notification
 publi%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include--
 7,a7 ! "n & ! ,int]national ,m>itime   

,organization id5tification numb] ( !   
vessel t is ! subject ( ! p5alty2  7,b7 
! "n ( ! own] ( ! vessel t is ! subject 
( ! p5alty2  7,c7 ! am\nt ( ! f9e or    
value ( m]*&ise seiz$2 &  7,d7 a summ>y 
( ! alleg$ misconduct & ju/ification =  
impos+ a p5alty4  4  7b7 ,rulemak+ ,n   
lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date ( enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all issue su* 
regulations z are necess>y to implem5t !
 am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a71       
includ+-- 7#a7 regulations reg>d+ !     
in=mation to be conta9$ 9 a p5alty      
notification "u section #eeajb7;d7 (    
title #df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7z am5d$ 
by su* subsection72 &  7#b7 any *anges  
to exi/+ regulations relat+ to p5alties 
issu$ by ! ,secret>y4  #aj4 ,rules (    
con/ruction  7a7 ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf 
,l&s ,act ,no?+ 9 ?is ,act may be       
con/ru$ to nullify or sup]s$e any o!r   
provision ( law relat+ to ! out]        
,cont95tal ,%elf 7z su* t]m is def9$ 9  
section #b ( ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf   
,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca774  7b7  

,rul+ lett]s ,no?+ 9 ?is ,act may be    
con/ru$ z congressional validation ( a  
rul+ lett]1 int]pretative guidance1     
doctr9e1 or o!r action relat+ to !      
en=cem5t ( *apt]s #aba & #eea ( title   
#df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7commonly      
ref]r$ to z ! ,jones ,act7 issu$ by !   
,secret>y4  #aa4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is     
,act3 7#a7 ,lift+ op]ations ,! t]m lift+
 op]ations means self-propell$ movem5ts 
by a vessel :5 us+ a crane1 or o!r      
simil> equipm5t1 to in/all or remove    
m]*&ise on or f (f%ore facilities or    
subsea infra/ructure4  7#b7 ,m]*&ise ,! 
t]m m]*&ise has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9  
section #eeajb7;a7 ( title #df1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,code4  7#c7 ,oceanographic      
rese>* vessel ,! t]m oceanographic      
rese>* vessel has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9
 section #baja ( title #df1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code4  7#d7 ,out] ,cont95tal    
,%elf ,! t]m out] ,cont95tal ,%elf has !
 mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section #b ( !    
,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc   
,u4,s4,c4 #acca74  7#e7 ,rul+ lett] ,!  

t]m rul+ lett] means any rul+ lett] or  
headqu>t]s rul+ lett] relat+ to !       
en=cem5t ( *apt]s #aba & #eea ( title   
#df1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7commonly      
ref]r$ to z ! ,jones ,act71 issu$ by !  
,commission] ( ,u4,s4 ,cu/oms & ,bord]  
,protection pursuant to sections        
#ejb7;a7 or #fbe ( ! ,t>iff ,act ( #aicj
 7#ai ,u4,s4,c4 #aejb7;a7 & #afbe74     
7#f7 ,secret>y ,! t]m ,secret>y means ! 
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security1 act+     
?r\gh ! ,commission] ( ,u4,s4 ,cu/oms & 
,bord] ,protection4