The Maritime Administration (MARAD, or we, our or us) is publishing this final rule to implement the changes of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. This final rule implements regulations to waive the U.S.-build requirements of the Passenger Vessel Services Act and section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, for eligible vessels to be documented with appropriate endorsement for employment in the coastwise trade as small passenger vessels or uninspected passenger vessels authorized to carry no more than 12 passengers for hire. This final rule also brings the application procedure into compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, which requires that by October 21, 2003, the government must provide "the option of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information when practicable as a substitute for paper."