Proof that there are too many outdated laws on the books. I bet there isn’t a single member of Congress that knows the reason why this law was created without researching it. More than likely there was what seemed to be a good reason at the time, but if you look at the U.S. Constitution you won’t find a power granted to Congress to create such legislation. And no, the commerce clause does not cover this. That wasn’t the Founders’ intent.
Indeed.
Congress has the power per Article 1 Section 8 to regulate commerce with foreign nations.
The vessel in the article is foreign-flagged.