California Office Of Spill Prevention And Response News

A salvage team has refloated a charter fishing vessel that sank near California's Santa Cruz Island.Overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard and the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), the salvage operation included underwater assessment, refloating, stabilization and the safe transfer of the vessel to harbor. The operation was led by a seasoned salvage master and supported by a crew of four experienced salvage technicians and divers.Two dedicated recovery vessels equipped with lift bags, dewatering equipment and custom rigging were brought in to handle the vessel recovery.

The company that operates the pipeline that spilled an estimated 3,000 barrels of oil into the Pacific Ocean off California has an 800-page manual on handling an oil spill - but it is unclear whether its employees followed those procedures.Houston-based Amplify Energy Corp and several state and federal regulatory agencies have provided differing accounts of what happened on Oct. 2, when the pipeline spill that fouled beaches, killed wildlife, and closed down fishing along miles of coastline was officially reported.The U.S.

While the investigation is still fresh regarding the sinking and the tragic loss of life of the South Korean ferry Sewol, early reports point to a multitude of potential problems, including a critical breakdown among the crew. As work continues to secure the ship and recover the remaining dead onboard, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News reached out to maritime training and education experts for insights on that sector’s role in helping to reduce the risk of disaster at sea.

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding guidelines for tank vessel escorts for Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbors. A public meeting will be held in Long Beach on June 15. Written comments on the NPRM should be submitted by the same date. The Proposed Amendments would, among other things, impose STCW hours of rest requirements on tug crews, even though the STCW does not directly apply to the tugs. The rationale for the proposal is discussed in the Initial Statement of Reasons. (HK Law)

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. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by October 26, 2004. (HK Law).

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would, if adopted, make a number of minor changes to the current tug escort requirements for tank vessels operating in San Diego Harbor. OSPR also released a document showing the Proposed Language and another document with the Initial Statement of Reasons for the proposal. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by January 31, 2005. (HK Law)

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) issued a notice stating that it and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are jointly sponsoring a course entitled Environmental Response to Oil Spills (EROS). The course will be presented in Monterey on November 14-17.

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) issued its final rule on Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO) Rating. Ship and facility owners and operators required to submit California spill response plans are required to identify and ensure the availability of spill response capability. Plan holders who utilize a rated OSRO do not have to further demonstrate their capability. An OSRO rated in accordance with the regulations receives an OSRO Rating Letter from OSPR.

On Tuesday, September 24th, 2002 California State Senator Tom Torlakson honored Titan Maritime, its subcontractors, the USCG, and the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) for their success with the underwater oil cleanup of the freighter SS “Jacob Luckenbach”. Senator Torlakson presented Titan with a plaque in recognition for their successful efforts in protecting the sensitive California coastline and the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary from further oil pollution damage from this wreck. Titan has just completed a contract with the U.S. Coast Guard to recover oil from the SS “Jacob Luckenbach”, an ocean freight vessel built in 1944.

the recovery of oil from the sunken vessel S/S JACOB LUCKENBACH. award at the annual meeting of the Task Force in Honolulu July 22. response resulting in enhanced environmental protection. partnerships and involve the public are favored. Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. 2003 Award. southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, in 175 feet of water. last two decades. Response, and the California State Lands Commission. contract with the U.S. Coast Guard. the oil inside a tank, and pump the oil to the surface. minimal risk of oil release. The difficult and often dangerous work continued for four months. worldwide. sensitive wildlife will be protected from exposure to oil spills. others in industry, government, and the public to emulate.

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) stated that the U.S. Coast Guard and the OSPR have confirmed that an intermittent oil spill in San Mateo vicinity has been traced to the SS JACOB LUCKENBACH. The vessel sank on July 14, 1953 approximately seven miles southwest of the San Francisco Lightship after colliding with the SS HAWAIIAN PILOT. The Coast Guard's original Report of Investigation reveals that the collision was caused, in part, by poor use of radar. Source: HK Law