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Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service News

03 Dec 2013

Nontank VRP Regs

(Photo courtesy T&T Salvage)

The clock is ticking toward the deadline to submit to the U.S. Coast Guard an oil spill response plan that meets the requirements of the NTVRP regulation. The long-awaited nontank vessel response plan (NTVRP) rulemaking was published on September 30, 2013 and came into effect on October 30, 2013. Neither of these are significant dates for the owners, operators, and masters of nontank vessels operating on the navigable waters of the United States. The truly significant date is January 30, 2014.

04 Jan 2011

Grounded Freighter, Hillsborough Bay, Fla.

The Coast Guard is investigating the grounding of the 575-ft motor vessel Pollux, which ran aground two miles east of Gadsden Point in Hillsborough Bay, Fla., on Jan. 2. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a call at 11:15 p.m., from the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service that the Pollux had run aground and could not move under its own power. The Pollux, a Malta flagged freight vessel carrying a load of fertilizer, was inbound to Tampa Bay from Galveston, Texas. Members from Sector St. Petersburg are investigating the incident and are working with the vessel's crew and representatives to safely remove the vessel. Vessel traffic has not been affected, but all vessel operators are urged to use caution when transiting the area.

22 Dec 2009

Juan de Fuca Agreement 30th Anniversary

The Co-Chairs of the Joint Coordinating Group of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service announced the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Services Agreement for the Juan de Fuca region. This agreement between the Government of Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and the Government of the United States, United States Coast Guard established a coordinated Vessel Traffic Services system in the boundary waters and offshore approaches of the Juan de Fuca Strait and was signed on Dec. 19, 1979 by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada and Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs. The members of the Joint Coordinating Group meet twice a year, once in Canada and once in the United States to manage this unique agreement.

04 Jan 2002

Quick Action of Towing Company Averts Threat

On January 3, the Tug Pacific Avenger, while towing an oil barge loaded with diesel fuel, experienced a reduction in steering while approximately 20 miles west of Cape Alava, Washington. As per established procedure, Tofino Traffic, Canada, who, as part of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service manages vessel traffic of the northern Washington Coast, notified the U.S. Coast Guard of the incident. Sea Coast Towing, the owner of the tug, reported that the Pacific Avenger had experienced a problem with its autopilot and rudder angle indicator – a device that shows the position of the rudder. Although propulsion and manual steering were not affected, Sea Coast Towing arranged for a tug escort by the Barbara Foss and return to port as a precaution.