USCG – Response Plans and Significant Pollution Events

The US Coast Guard issued guidance on vessel and facility response plans in relation to oil spill response organization (OSRO) resource movements during significant pollution events. The goal is to advise field units and regulated entities on adjustments that may be required when oil spill response resources identified in response plans are suddenly unavailable because they have been deployed to a major oil spill elsewhere. This is what occurred following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The guidance is intended to regularize the process of making adjustments and obtaining necessary waivers.