The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) final rule on escort requirements for certain tankers operating on the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska, was published Friday in the Federal Register. This rule finalizes the escort requirements in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part CFR 168, which were previously published as an interim rule Aug. 19, 2013. This final rule mandates two tug escorts for double hull tankers of more than 5,000 gross tons, transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound. A double hull provides vessels with added protection from an oil spill resulting from a hull breach due to a grounding, allision or collision. While double hull tank vessels provide greater protection from oil spills compared to single hull tank vessels…