Tank Vessel

USCG Codifies Single Hull Phase-out Requirements

In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the USCG proposes to clarify and codify a policy it issued in April 1999 regarding phase-out dates for single hull tank vessels. OPA 90 includes requirements for double hull tank vessels and phase-out schedules for all single hull tank vessels operating in U.S. waters. Tank vessel owners are required to remove single hull tank vessels from service on a specific date, depending on such factors as the vessel's gross tonnage, age and hull configuration. These timetables are found in USCG regulations, and allow a tank vessel with double sides or a double bottom to remain in service longer than a vessel with a full single hull. In mid-1998, the USCG was asked to clarify whether retrofitting a single hull vessel with double sides or a double bottom would allow a vessel owner to take advantage of a later phase-out date. After requesting and reviewing public comments on the subject, the USCG published a notice of policy in April 1999 stating modification of a single hull tank vessel to include only double sides or a double bottom would not change the tank vessel's original phase-out date. Consistent with this position, the NPRM amends two notes. Both notes state the configuration of a single hull tank vessel as of August 18, 1990, whether single hull, single hull with double sides, or single hull with a double bottom, is the configuration to be used to determine the vessel's phase-out date

Resolve Salvage & Fire CG Approved for OPA90

Resolve Salvage & Fire (Americas), the emergency response division of international maritime emergency services contractor Resolve Marine Group, announced that the U.S. Coast Guard has approved Resolve to help oil tanker vessel owners comply with new OPA90 requirements by the February 22, 2011 deadline. The USCG has already begun issuing Interim Operating Authorizations (IOA) for tank vessels that cite Resolve in their OPA90 Vessel Response Plans

New Tech Requirement for Single Hull Tankers by 2007

According to a USCG final rule published September 17 in Federal Register, by October 17, 2007, single hull tank vessels (US Flag and foreign Flag) will be required to have a Tank Level of Pressure Monitoring Systems (TLPM) device permanently installed on each cargo tank which meets the following requirements: • is intrinsically safe as per 46 CFR 111.105; • indicates any loss of power or failure of the tank level or pressure monitoring device and monitors the condition of the alarm

Maritrans' Double Hull Process Receives Patent

Maritrans Operating Partners L.P., a subsidiary of Maritrans Inc., has obtained a patent on its proprietary process for rebuilding single hull tank vessels with internal double hulls. Together with M. Daniel Jones of the Houston-based naval architecture firm Schuller & Allan, Maritrans developed an innovative double-hull manufacturing process to rebuild single-hulled tank vessels with the double hulls required by the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990

The COFRs are Coming

  Dennis Bryant, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight LLP   On February 5, the US Coast Guard promulgated its long-awaited proposal for updating the Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) program.  Owners and operators of vessels over 300 gross tons operating in United States waters have been required to provide evidence of financial responsibility to respond to oil spills from their vessels since 1972

Polar Tankers Receives Ecology Award

Representatives from Washington Department of Ecology and the oil tank vessel industry met in Seattle on July 29 to award Polar Tankers with Ecology’s Exceptional Compliance Program (ECOPRO) Award. The award was given to the subsidiary of ConocoPhillips Co. for achieving excellence in marine safety and environmental stewardship. Polar Tankers operates U.S.-flagged crude oil tankers on the West Coast including Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada

ExxonMobil Receives Washington State Exceptional Compliance Award

Exxon Mobil Corporation announced that its U.S. marine transportation affiliate, SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., has been recognized by the Washington State Department of Ecology for excellence in marine safety and environmental stewardship. SeaRiver achieved this through meeting the state's voluntary Exceptional Compliance Program for Tank Vessels (Ecopro) and is the only company to attain full Ecopro status for a third consecutive renewal period since the program's inception in 1999.

Donjon-Smit Offers No Cost Standby Coverage for Marine Salvage

Donjon-SMIT, an OPA-90 Alliance, has announced that it now offers free coverage for salvage, firefighting and lightering as required under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The majority of OPA-90 salvage, firefighting and lightering service providers charge a fee, ranging as high as $650 per vessel per year of coverage, particularly for tank vessels. Donjon-SMIT offers free standby coverage for all vessels both tank and non-tank, which will result in significant savings for companies.

Tug escort requirements for Port Hueneme

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the tank vessel escort requirements for Port Hueneme. The major purpose of the proposal is to make these regulations consistent with those for other California ports. No additional costs for the regulated community are anticipated, based on this proposal. OSPR also issued the Draft Amendment and the Initial Statement of Reasons

Grounded Tank Vessel Eagle Tucson

A 33-ft response boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Venice, La., monitors efforts to free the grounded tank vessel Eagle Tucson, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, near Pilottown, La., at the mouth of the Mississippi. The Eagle Tuscon grounded at approximately 2:45 a.m., Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, and is currently blocking deep-draft shipping traffic.