The Texas Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) Program has circulated the April 2003 edition of its Facility and Maritime Affairs (FAMA) newsletter. This edition contains, a reminder that
civil penalties will be assessed against any unregistered vessel found in Texas waters. Texas mandates that a vessel required to have either a vessel response plan (VRP) or a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) register with OSPR prior to entry into Texas waters. Recommended civil penalties for failing to register start at $500 for each violation.