The Maritime Administration ("MARAD," "we," "our," or "us") is publishing this interim final rule amending our regulations implementing the new U.S. citizenship requirements set forth in the American Fisheries Act of 1998 ("AFA"). MARAD's regulation, at 46 CFR Part 356, contains the substantive requirements mandated by the AFA and procedural requirements established by MARAD for administration of the AFA. We are promulgating an amendment which provides us with the ability to waive any procedural requirement, if there is good cause to do so and the waiver would not be inconsistent with the AFA and the intent of this part. The waiver provision is effective upon publication, but we are inviting comments on the provision.