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reduction. Essex claims that for some vessels, “the use of tonnage openings – essentially a weather-tight means of ac- cess into a deckhouse – permits the ex- emption of space from gross tonnage.

Depending on the interior layout, a properly positioned tonnage opening in a passenger vessel could permit the exemption of the entire tier of super- structure from gross tonnage.”

What’s the purpose of such an opening? The opening, which must be positioned on a forward or aft facing bulkhead is not water-tight, does not make the vessel any smaller, nor any safer to operate, and on the contrary does not in fact reduce any actual volume of the vessel. Nonethe- less, if done properly, an operator with reduced tonnage may escape other onerous regulations and can cut crew- ing costs by hiring a captain with a lower endorsement. It is possible that the tonnage game may fi nally change as the rules are currently in the process of revision.

PROUD TO BE AMERICAN

Compliance with the Buy America

Act for new vessel construction is not only patriotic but bodes well for pro- moting the common good of com- merce within our country. The Buy

America Act is nearly always tied to projects with underlying federal fund- ing. Compliance versus cost does not typically pose a threat as these projects are often funded to such a level to com- pensate for domestic procurement.

The issue is really one of supply. With- out loopholes in place, boat builders would fl ounder in compliance.

Raw materials for manufacturing aluminum and even steel to some ex- tent are typically sourced abroad in

Europe or Asia. Finding American- built, emissions compliant, commer- cially rated, marine diesel engines is less common than expected. Reach- ing compliance levels of more than 50% American content requires that most of the large ticket components are stamped made in the USA; how- ever, many key products that are en- gineered specifi cally for marine use (engines, gears, propellers, water jets, electronics, etc.) tend to be foreign produced. When the requirement is only being met through wiggle room, it should be a clear sign that stronger www.marinelink.com MN 29

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