After a read of this... The Jones Act and related statutes require that
vessels used to transport cargo and passengers between U.S. ports be owned
by U.S. citizens, built in U.S. shipyards, and manned by U.S. citizen
crews... it seems like this doesn't really apply to the various clubs that
rent boats. Many, if not most, of the boats that are in charter fleets in
the US are foreign made (Bene's and such), although I'm pretty sure they're
owned and operated by US citizens. I'm wondering if there is some
distinction between "between U.S ports" and returning to the same port, but
even that seems like it wouldn't hold for several clubs that have multiple
facilities.

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"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com