Table 1: Identical or Similar Terms with Different Meanings
This table illustrates how Federal agencies assign different meanings to identical terms. For example, the Federal Highway Administration may include water taxis in its definition of ferries for its Ferry Boat Discretionary Program, which provides funding for ferry boats and ferry terminal construction. However, the definition used by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics for its National Census of Ferry Operators, which provides data on ferry operators, routes, terminals, and vessels, specifically excludes water taxis because they do not operate on scheduled, fixed routes.
| Source | Legal Definition or Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ferry | |
| 46 United States Code § 2101, which is available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+46USC2101 as of March 2011. | ...a vessel that is used on a regular schedule—a) to provide transportation only between places that are not more than 300 miles apart; and b) to transport only—i. Passengers; or ii. Vehicles, or railroad cars, that are being used, or have been used, in transporting passengers or goods. |
| U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, 46 Code of Federal Regulations 175.400, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2009/octqtr/pdf/46cfr175.400.pdf as of March 2011. | ...a vessel that 1) operates in other than ocean or coastwise service; 2) has provisions only for deck passengers or vehicles, or both; 3) Operates on a short run on a frequent schedule between two points over the most direct water route; and 4) offers a public service of a type normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel. |
| U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistic, National Census of Ferry Operators, available at http://www.bts.gov as of March 2011. | ...a vessel that sails an itinerant, fixed route as a common carrier of passengers or vehicles. Railroad car float operations are also included. |
| Ferry boat and terminal | |
| U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Ferry Boat Discretionary Program, available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/discretionary/fbdinfo.cfm as of March 2011. | ...whether toll or free, subject to the following conditions: 1) It is not feasible to build a bridge, tunnel, combination thereof, or other normal highway structure in lieu of the use of such ferry. 2) The operation of the ferry shall be on a route classified as a public road within the State and which has not been designated as a route on the Interstate System. |
| Passenger vessel | |
| 46 United States Code § 2101, which is available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+46USC2101 as of March 2011. | ...a vessel of at least 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title—a) carrying more than 12 passengers, including at least one passenger for hire; b) that is chartered and carrying more than 12 passengers; c) that is a submersible vessel carrying at least one passenger for hire; or d) that is a ferry carrying a passenger. |
| U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, Passenger Vessel Operators, available at http://www.fmc.gov/ as of March 2011. | ...having 50 or more berths or stateroom accommodations and that embark passengers at ports.... |
| American Bureau of Shipping, Guide for Building and Classing: Passenger Vessels (November 2001), available at http://www.eagle.org/ as of February 2011. | ...apply to 200-ft or longer oceangoing vessel carrying 12 or more passengers on international routes. |
| Small passenger vessels | |
| U.S. Coast Guard, Passenger Vessel Safety Program, available at http://www.uscg.mil as of February 2011. | ...are ones that are less than 100 gross tons. |
| U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Small Vessel Waiver Program, available at http://www.marad.dot.gov/ as of March 2011. | ...must be 1), at least, three years old, 2), when in service, cannot carry more than 12 passengers, 3) carry passengers only, and 4) owned by a U.S.-Citizen. |
| Uninspected passenger vessels | |
| U.S. Coast Guard, Passenger Vessel Safety Program, available at http://www.uscg.mil as of February 2011. | ...carry 6 or fewer passengers for hire.... |
Updated: Sunday, May 21, 2017