Purpose of PVSA

[sprint180]

Can someone me what the purpose of the PVSA is? I know what it is just don't understand why we have it. thought I'd post it here, didn't want to hijack the other thread.

below is copied from a post about Hawaiian itinerary by PC Walton1

PVSA pertains to passengers.

 

The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (sometimes abbreviated to PVSA, Passenger Services Act, or PSA) is a protectionist piece of United States legislation which came into force in 1886 relating to cabotage. Essentially, it says:

No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $200 (now $300) for each passenger so transported and landed.

[Scrapnana]

It sounds like it was designed to give business to US flagged ships. Way out of date IMO since there are very few US flagged cruise ships. I really don't understand why it has not been repealed.

[njhorseman]

It's self explanatory. Read the explanation you posted carefully. The purpose is protect US flagged ships from competition from foreign-flagged vessels. Keep in mind that ships were used for transportation from one city to another, not as floating resort hotels, when the law was enacted. Obviously there are many fewer US flag passenger ships today than there were when the law was enacted, but there still is one large cruise ship, NCL America's Pride of America, which cruises in Hawaii, as well as a number of smaller ships that do coastal and river cruising.

 

Similar restrictions apply to cargo transportation under the Jones Act. Also foreign flag airlines are not permitted to transport passengers between cities in the US. So, for example you can book a flight on British Airways from, say, Chicago to London or from NY to London, but not from Chicago to NY.

 

There are dozens of threads on these boards discussing the PVSA and the Jones Act. Do a search and you'll find them.

[mapsmith]

PVSA also affects airlines. That is why you cannot fly British Airways, Air Canada, KLM, or other Foreign based airlines between US Cities. (Like Phoenix to New York, or From Chicago to Miami.)

[njhorseman]

PVSA also affects airlines. That is why you cannot fly British Airways, Air Canada, KLM, or other Foreign based airlines between US Cities. (Like Phoenix to New York, or From Chicago to Miami.)

 

PVSA doesn't regulate airlines...only ships. Rules governing the airlines were put into place years ago by the Civil Aeronautics Board (This agency eventually was dissolved and replaced by the Department of Transportation).

[BillB48]

It sounds like it was designed to give business to US flagged ships. Way out of date IMO since there are very few US flagged cruise ships. I really don't understand why it has not been repealed.

 

That's a real mine field and we probably don't want to go down that road. The last time the subject was brought up... it actually was going to tighten the law.... by NCL to further protect it's Hawaiian ships the Alaska/Canada cruise business would have been done away with. Too many interest groups want to get in there and wicker with the law. Probably better left alone and if the truth be known, the cruise lines are not all that unhappy with the status quo.

[sprint180]

I see thanks for taking the time to answer.

[mapsmith]

PVSA doesn't regulate airlines...only ships. Rules governing the airlines were put into place years ago by the Civil Aeronautics Board (This agency eventually was dissolved and replaced by the Department of Transportation).

 

PVSA is regulated by the Department of Transportation.

Thus the Rules governing the Airlines are the same as those governing the Cruise Ships and ALL passenger Transportation.

 

Try booking an Air Canada Flight from Chicago to Miami. It has to go through a Canadian or other Foreign country before continuing to Miami.

 

PVSA

[smeyer418]

PVSA doesn't regulate airlines...only ships. Rules governing the airlines were put into place years ago by the Civil Aeronautics Board (This agency eventually was dissolved and replaced by the Department of Transportation).

but the same type rule also still applies to non-US flagged airlines. Non-US flagged airline may not directly-without going overseas- fly people between two US airports. Also the same "rule"- protectionist legislation- effects all air carriers flying from Dallas to other airports.

The PVSA also requires that the ships doing so be built in and maintained in US shipyards. That part of the rule does not apply to US Airlines who are free to buy their airplanes elsewhere. The 1886 legislation was mostly to protect those shipyard and ship owners.

[Scrapnana]

Probably better left alone and if the truth be known, the cruise lines are not all that unhappy with the status quo.

 

Why is that?

[smeyer418]

Why is that?

because any change would probably have more than just a lifting of the ban. The cruise lines are pretty happy with it as it currently stands. Senator Rockefeller wants to add taxes to cruise ships and make other changes. While this bill has limited chance of passing, a bill to lift the PSVA restrictions might have a better chance but no bill comes out pure. The line is watching bills being passed is like watching sausage being made...what goes in the grinder looks nothing like the end product.

[njhorseman]

but the same type rule also still applies to non-US flagged airlines. Non-US flagged airline may not directly-without going overseas- fly people between two US airports. Also the same "rule"- protectionist legislation- effects all air carriers flying from Dallas to other airports.

The PVSA also requires that the ships doing so be built in and maintained in US shipyards. That part of the rule does not apply to US Airlines who are free to buy their airplanes elsewhere. The 1886 legislation was mostly to protect those shipyard and ship owners.

 

Yes, I know a similar rule applies to foreign-flag airlines. I mentioned it in my original post on this thread: "Also foreign flag airlines are not permitted to transport passengers between cities in the US. So, for example you can book a flight on British Airways from, say, Chicago to London or from NY to London, but not from Chicago to NY."

 

In the post you quoted I was responding to someone who stated the restrictions on foreign flag airlines were due to the PVSA, which they are not.