RESTRICTIONS ON OPERATIONS OF AMERICAN GREAT LAKES VESSELS.

SEC. 1523. RESTRICTIONS ON OPERATIONS OF AMERICAN GREAT LAKES VESSELS. (a) In General.— Subject to subsection (b), an American Great Lakes vessel shall not be used— (1) to engage in trade— (A) from a port in the United States that is not located on the Great Lakes; or (B) between ports in the United States; (2) to carry bulk cargo (as that term is defined in section 3 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702(4)) which is subject to section 901(b) or 901b of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1241(b) or 1241f), or section 2631 of title 10, United States Code; or 104 STAT. 3667 (3) to provide any service other than ocean freight service— (A) as a contract carrier; or (B) as a common carrier on a fixed advertised schedule offering frequent sailings at regular intervals in the foreign commerce of the United States. (b) Off-Season Carriage Exception.— (1) In general.— Subject to paragraph (2), an American Great Lakes vessel may be used to engage in trade otherwise prohibited by subsection (a)(1)(A) for not more than 90 days during any 12-month period. (2) Limitation.— An American Great Lakes vessel shall not be used during the Great Lakes shipping season to engage in trade referred to in paragraph (1).