FAMA Discusses Penalties of Unregistered Vessels in Texas Waters

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.