Volume 86 · 1534

Private Law 92–81

Authorizing the State of Alaska to operate a passenger vessel of foreign registry between ports In Alaska, and between ports in Alaska and ports in the State of Washington, for a limited period of time.

Approved March 21, 1972

Statutory text

AN ACT

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

That, notwithstanding the provisions of law of the United States restricting to vessels of the United States the transportation of passengers and merchandise directly or indirectly from any port in the United States to another port of the United States, passengers (and their personal effects and their private vehicles) and vehicles engaged in the transportation of passengers but not merchandise may be transported on the M/V Wickersham (a passenger vessel owned by the State of Alaska but of foreign registry) between ports in Alaska, and between ports in Alaska and ports in the State of Washington, beginning on the date on which a binding contract is entered into between the State of Alaska and shipbuilders of the United States for the construction in the United States of a vessel to replace the M/V Wickersham, and ending on whichever of the following dates first occurs:

the date on which there is no longer a binding contract between the State of Alaska and a shipbuilder of the United States for the construction in the United States of a vessel to replace the M/V Wickersham, other than contract termination resulting from the delivery of such replacement, vessel;

the date on which the State of Alaska first replaces the M/V Wickersham in regular service with a vessel of the United States;

the date on which the State of Alaska ceases to own the M/V Wickersham;

the date occurring thirty-six months after the date of enactment of this bill.

Sec. 2.

The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Maritime Affairs shall provide certification of the operative dates set out in section 1 herein.

Approved March 21, 1972.