California Vessel Response Plans Altered

Steamship Mutual advises that beginning January 1, 2016 Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) will no longer provide California Shoreline Protection (CASP) and On Water Response Coverage services for vessels calling at the Port of Hueneme, Calif. and/or transiting the southbound traffic lanes of the Santa Barbara Channel.

 

However, MSRC will continue to meet the planning standards for 12 hours and greater in the Santa Barbara Channel and Port Hueneme and will respond in these areas in the event of an incident.

 

Furthermore, from January 1, 2016, So Cal Ship Services (SCSS) will provide CASP response services to meet the two hour skimming and the shoreline protection planning standards if calling at Port Hueneme and six hour On-Water Recovery response services to meet the six hour skimming planning standard if transiting the southbound traffic lanes of the Santa Barbara Channel, to enable compliance with the California State Regulations.

 

The wording of the SCSS Shoreline Protection Agreement has been amended to conform with International Group Guidelines. The conforming Agreement has the footer: "SQMS-ADM-500 SLP-SBC Agreement – Rev 0-0 12-15". Steamship Mutual said these changes only affect those shipowners who name MSRC in their California Tank and Nontank Vessel Response Plans and operating in either the Santa Barbara Channel or entering Port Hueneme.