The maintenance of the US’ Jones Act, which rules that only US-flag vessels may transport merchandise or passengers in the country, is not hindering the BP oil cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico, despite widespread commentary that it is. President Obama has been criticised for not waiving the Jones Act in the same manner former President Bush did in the Hurrican Katrina recovery.
“It appears that critics of the Jones Act are distorting the facts by claiming that the Jones Act applies in an instance when it simply doesn’t, or where it does, not being forthcoming with the law and the facts,” said Ken Wells, president of the Offshore Marine Service Association.
“Worse, they are taking advantage of this disastrous situation to undermine American workers for the benefit of foreign companies and foreign workers.”
For skimming activities within any state’s 4.82-kilomtre limit, the Jones Act states that any such work, including skimming, must be performed by a U.S.-flag vessel if one is available. If a U.S.-flag vessel is not available, there is a waiver process that can be used to bring in foreign-flag vessels.
“The American maritime industry has not and will not stand in the way of the use of these well-established waiver procedures to address this crisis,” said the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, in a statement.
Foreign-flag vessels have already been deployed for skimming work in the Gulf, with equipment already in use from EU nations.
