Statement of the Authority's Legal Obligations
Regarding Public Access to Certain Customer Information

Any information which you submit to the Steamship Authority -- whether on paper forms, by the Internet or otherwise -- is potentially governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law (the "Law"). Under the Law, all documents made or received by the Steamship Authority are, with certain exceptions, public records. The laws and regulations addressing access to public records and the specific exemptions from public disclosure are found in Mass. G.L. c. 4, sec. 7 (clause 26th); Mass G.L. c. 66, sec. 10; and 950 C.M.R. 32.00.

Notwithstanding the general requirements of the Law, in June 2003, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted a statute (St. 2003, c. 26, sec. 651) which amended section four of the Steamship Authority's enabling act (St. 1960, c. 701, as amended) expressly to empower it:

"To maintain the confidentiality of all information relating to specifically named customers using the authority's reservation system including but not limited to, passenger names, home addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, credit and account data and the dates and times of their reservations and sailings. Such information shall not be a public record, although it may be used and disclosed by the authority as necessary in connection with the appropriate conduct of its operations and in connection with law enforcement activities. The authority shall provide to a customer requesting any such information, all information that the authority has pertaining to that customer. The authority shall obtain the express, written consent of a customer before releasing customer information to a third party for commercial or noncommercial purposes."

Last Updated:  November 10, 2003

back to top