US begins screening tankers for spill plans

The US Coast Guard said it would start enforcing new regulations that require owners and operators of large cargo vessels to prepare and submit plans for responding to an oil spill from their vessels.

The Coast Guard said it would begin screening all vessels prior to their port arrival.

Should a vessel be found operating in a US port or waterway without a properly submitted response plan, the Coast Guard said it would impose operational controls on the vessel.

Rear Adm. Brian Salerno, assistant commandant of the US Coast Guard, said: ‘Oil carried as fuel in large cargo ships can result in a major oil spill in the event of an accident.

“This enforcement policy will make sure that cargo ships, such as tankers, have pre-identified and arranged for the resources needed to respond effectively, should an accident occur.

US Coast Guard

‘This enforcement policy will make sure that cargo ships, such as tankers, have pre-identified and arranged for the resources needed to respond effectively, should an accident occur.’

The Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and required owners and operators to prepare and submit by August 9, 2005, plans for responding to discharge of oil from their vessels.

Plans have to ensure that vessels have the ability to remove the worst of an oil spill and to mitigate or prevent it from happening.