SCA: Linking El Faro Tragedy to Jones Act Incorrect and Shameful

zoom The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) has described claims that tragedies such as the recent sinking of the 40-year-old Jones Act container ship El Faro could have been avoided if U.S. operators were allowed to rejuvenate their fleets with cheaper foreign ships as not only incorrect, but shameful.  SCA says that critics have attempted to blame the loss of the ship on the Jones Act requirement that ships operating between two U.S. ports be U.S. built.  To imply that vessels that do  not have to comply with rigorous U.S. safety standards are safe than those that do defies common sense, said Matthew Paxton, President of SCA. To try and connect a law that works to protect our economic and national security to this tragedy, particularly during a period when our industry family is mourning such aloss is not only incorrect, but shameful.  The vessels that operate between U.S. ports are built for the unique domestic trades and operate safely, efficiently, and are subject to rigorous safety regulations whereas foreign vessels would not be required to comport, SCA said in a statement.