SENATOR COLLINS EXAMINES CASE OF LINCOLNVILLE LOBSTERMAN

WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Susan Collins is examining the case of J. Coburn Drisko, a Lincolnville Lobsterman, whose business could be potentially threatened because of a dispute regarding a more than 70-year-old federal law governing the transporting of cargo. Federal officials are threatening to seize Drisko's boats, which are Canadian built, but registered in Maine, if he continues to use them to haul lobster. These officials claim that Drisko is violating the "Jones Act," although there is dispute as to whether Drisko's business falls under that law.

Senator Collins' has requested that officials of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immediately brief her staff of the Governmental Affairs Committee, which has oversight jurisdiction over the CBP. The meeting could take place as early as Friday.

"Drisko Lobster has been in business for years and is the livelihood of his family and the dozen individuals he employs. It is important that we immediately get to the bottom of this unfortunate situation," said Senator Collins.

The Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Senator Collins, oversees the Department of Homeland Security, including the CBP.

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