SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                        Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                        Date of Report: January 15, 2004

                   CHASE MANHATTAN MARINE OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                             (Issuer of securities)

                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       United States                 333-32737                22-2382028
- ----------------------------  ------------------------     ------------------
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                                     Identification No.)

     White Clay Center, Building 200, Newark, DE          19711
     -------------------------------------------          ----------
     (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5000

              JPMORGAN CHASE BANK (f/k/a The Chase Manhattan Bank)
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         New York                    333-32737              13-4994650
- ----------------------------  -----------------------    -----------------
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)                                     Identification No.)

     270 Park Avenue, New York, New York             10017
     ---------------------------------------         ---------
     (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (212) 270-6000



Item 5.  Other Events:


         Chase Manhattan Marine Owner Trust 1997-A is the issuer of 8 classes of
Asset Backed Notes. The notes are serviced in accordance with the Sale and
Servicing Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1997, as amended. The parties to the
Sale and Servicing Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National
Association, as a seller, JPMorgan Chase Bank (f/k/a The Chase Manhattan Bank),
as seller, and The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc., as servicer.

         On January 15, 2004, CIT as servicer, distributed monthly interest to
the holders of the notes. CIT furnished copies of the monthly reports for each
class of notes as required by the Sale and Servicing Agreement. Copies of those
monthly reports are being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form
8-K.

Item 7(c).  Exhibits

Exhibits          Description
- --------          -----------

20.1              Monthly Report with respect to the January 15, 2004
                  distribution







                                   SIGNATURES



         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Dated: January 16, 2004

                         By: THE CIT GROUP/SALES FINANCING, INC.,
                         as Servicer



                         By: /s/ Gilmar Rodrigues
                             ---------------------------
                         Name: Gilmar Rodrigues
                         Title: Vice President












                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------

Exhibit No.     Description
- -----------     -----------------
20.1            Monthly Report with respect to the January 15, 2004
                distribution