Response Plans
Spill Recovery Equipment Caps to Increase
Effective April 5, the USCG will increase the requirements for on-water oil recovery capability for tank vessel and facility response plan holders by 25 percent. The so-called response capability "caps" address the volume of equipment a plan holder is required to ensure available by contract or other approved means. The caps ? meant to facilitate the cascading of response resources to a spill scene within the first 72 hours of an incident ? do not relieve a vessel owner of the statutory responsibility to plan for and clean up a worst case discharge, defined by the OPA 90 as the loss of a vessel's entire cargo in adverse weather. Reflecting the agreement of the Tank Vessel Response Plans Negotiated Rulemaking (Reg-Neg) Committee and the provisions of the January 1996 final rule on tank vessel response plans, the 25 percent cap increase was originally scheduled to take place February 18, 1998, provided the USCG determined the proposed increase was still practicable. The USCG delayed implementation of the cap increase pending completion of a feasibility review, which examined issues such as technological capability, commercial and market availability of response equipment, and availability of existing equipment stocks to respond within the prescribed time frames. In May 1999, the USCG completed its review, concluding the volume and placement of existing response equipment stocks are such that a 25 percent increase in the caps is practicable
Blank Rome Advisory on New CG Regs
Blank Rome issued a Maritime Developments Advisory as follows: The United States Coast Guard issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 31, 2009 on long-awaited new regulations concerning the following: (i) requiring owners and operators of nontank vessels to prepare and submit oil spill nontank vessel response plans (NTVRPs); (ii) updating the international Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) requirements; and (iii) requiring owners and operators to submit their
USCG to Release Response Plan Information on Internet
The USCG will proceed with its plan to make general information on tank vessel response plans available to the public via the Internet. However, the agency has clarified the information released will not include technical or operational details such as vessel plans and diagrams, phone numbers or addresses of qualified individuals, specific information on vessel cargoes or routes, or contractual details of a vessel owner's arrangements with oil spill removal organizations.
Hearing on Spills from non-tank Vessels
On December 18, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will conduct a hearing on Oil Spills from Non-Tank Vessels. Among the issues to be addressed are the adequacy and enforcement of vessel response plans for non-tank vessels and the adequacy of non-tank vessel liability limits. (HK Law)
USCG Extends Comment Period
The USCG has extended the public comment period for its NPRM on response plans for tank vessels carrying hazardous materials. Additionally, a two-day public meeting will be held on August 12-13, in Houston, at the Hilton-University of Houston Hotel and Conference Center. The deadline for written comments on the NPRM has been exteneded until August 30.
Public Comment Period Extended
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has extended the public comment period on the draft National Response Framework (NRF) until October 22, 2007. The extended comment period provides additional time for interested parties to provide feedback on the draft document. The NRF was posted on the DHS Web site for public comment on September 10, 2007. The current comment period was scheduled to expire on October 11, 2007
ASA: Helping Out in Security Matters
The American Salvage Association (ASA) has offered to assist the U.S. Coast Guard Captains of the Port in the development, review, and update of their Area Maritime Security plans required by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Marine salvage response in the event of a terrorist attack against a maritime target is a critical consideration in the development of any security effort. ASA is very supportive of the concept of the Area Maritime Security Advisory Committees and the development of
Resolve Marine Group Foregoes Retainer Fees
Resolve Marine Group, the marine salvage and firefighting company, announced that they will forego charging their OPA-90 clients retainer fees through 2011. While other salvage and marine firefighting companies have announced per vessel fees of $250 or $500 per year, Resolve guarantees their policy of “no retainer or administrative fees through 2011”. Captain Farhat Imam, Chief Operating Officer at Resolve said
Coast Guard, BSEE: Repsol Rig Review Complete
Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement completed a review of the mobile offshore drilling unit Scarabeo 9, Monday, off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. The review followed an invitation from the vessel’s operator, Repsol. While aboard the Scarabeo 9, personnel reviewed vessel construction, drilling equipment, and safety systems – including lifesaving and firefighting equipment
Key Salvage Issues for 2013 – and Beyond…
This is a good time to look aft and reflect on the accomplishments achieved in 2012, as well as to the distant horizon to see what challenges loom in 2013, and beyond. It is fair to say that the Coast Guard and salvage industry have come a long way in the last few years with implementation of a salvage and firefighting final rule; first published in December 2008, delayed until February 22, 2011, to provide for harmonization with the changes to the vessel and facility amendments for response
NOAA Report Examines Shipwreck Oil Pollution Threat
NOAA presented to the U.S. Coast Guard today a new report that finds that 36 sunken vessels scattered across the U.S. seafloor could pose an oil pollution threat to the nation’s coastal marine resources. Of those, 17 were recommended for further assessment and potential removal of both fuel
Shipwrecks Pose US Sea Pollution Threat
New NOAA report presented to the US Coast Guard examines national oil pollution threat from shipwrecks in US waters. The report finds that 36 sunken vessels scattered across the U.S. seafloor could pose an oil pollution threat to the nation's coastal marine resources
Emergency Personnel Participate in Oil Spill Response Program
Nearly 250 first responders participated in a National Preparedness Response Exercise Program in Los Angeles including U.S. Coast Guard, Chevron, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, NOAA, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
American Salvage Association to Consider Non-Tank VRP's
New regulations for non-tank vessel response plans (VRP) to be discussed at upcomingNational Maritime Salvage Conference One issue on the conference agenda will be the new regulations for Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans (VRPs). On March 9, 2013
Van Heck Launches “Green and Easy Oil Recovery”
Van Heck revealed its newest world premiere, a complete pump system that enables the controlled, contained, fast oil recovery after incorrect or off-spec fueling and in the event of grounding or calamity at sea. The pump, named Sea Trophy, ensures a fast
Salvage Response under OPA 90: Non-Tankers are Next
Maritime casualties have always been tackled by a relatively small, egotistical, passionate and intrepid group of mariners called “salvors.” Salvage as history knows it, however, may be taking a sharp turn as a result of the new game rules being injected by the Oil Pollution Act
US Non-tank Vessel Response Plan Approved
T&T Salvage remind that the OPA 90 Vessel Response Plan regulatory package has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) & offers its services. On March 9th, 2013, the OPA 90 Vessel Response Plan regulatory package outlining requirements for nontank vessels trading in U.S
Resolve and FDNY Sign Fire Response Agreement
Resolve Fire and Salvage signed an agreement with Fire Department New York (FDNY) last week, allowing the vast resources of the FDNY to be included in Resolve’s network of first responders that are available to vessel owners and operators
Europe Deliberates Avoidance of a Second 'Deepwater Horizon'
A provisional deal on proposed legislation for the safety of offshore oil and gas operations has been struck by MEPs and Council negotiators. Before oil and gas firms can get a licence to drill, the directive would require them to submit major hazard reports and emergency response plans and prove
Shell's 'Kulluk' Rig Accident: WWF Canada Urge Better Planning
A close call for the 'Kulluk': better planning needed before more oil and gas traffic in Arctic waters comments WWF Canada. The Kulluk, a conical, Arctic-class drill ship, was being towed from the Beaufort Sea in Alaskan Arctic waters back to Seattle following Shell’s first drilling
What Will You Do When a Spill Occurs?
Having a Spill Plan in Place is the Key to an Effective Response The blowout aboard the Deepwater Horizon and the resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico captured the attention of both the public and regulators. As a result of this incident
Tug & Barge Aground Alaskan Coast Await Inspection
US Coast Guard Unified Command deploy survey & response inspection crews to the vessels aground on Ukolnoi Island, 40 miles east of Cold Bay. The five-person crew of the tugbboat Polar Wind was rescued Nov. 13 after the tug ran aground and began taking on water
Offshore Drilling
BSEE Issues New Requirements and Policies Addressing Offshore Activities The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”) issued three significant documents addressing response, enforcement, and safety issues related to offshore operations in August 2012
Fire Extinguished on Gulf of Mexico Oil Platform
W&T Offshore provides information regarding incident on Ship Shoal 233 B Platform. At about 10:00 a.m. on the morning of September 26, 2012, a fire started on the W&T Ship Shoal 233 B Platform and was subsequently extinguished at 11:35 a.m
Halt Arctic Oil Drilling Urges UK Parliamentary Committee
The Environmental Audit Committee has published the report of its inquiry into Protecting the Arctic. The Environmental Audit Committee calls for a halt on oil drilling until: • A pan-Arctic oil spill response standard is in place