USA NTVRP

From the August 22 2008 the US Coastguard enforced the requirement for the owner and operator of a US or foreign flag nontank vessel operating in US waters to prepare and submit a nontank vessel response plan (NTVRP).

A nontank vessel is defined as a self-propelled vessel of 400 gross tons or greater, which carries oil as fuel for main propulsion and operates on the navigable waters of the United States.

The NTVRP should be largely similar to the vessel response plan (VRP) required for a tank vessel. Initially, enforcement efforts will focus on nontank vessels of 1,600 gross tons and greater, as they represent a greater risk to the environment than do smaller vessels.

Vessel owners or operators of a non-tank vessel should ensure that the plan:

• Is consistent with the requirements of the National Contingency Plan and Area Contingency Plans
• Identifies the qualified individual having full authority to implement removal actions, and requires immediate communications between that individual and the appropriate federal official and the persons providing personnel and equipment
• Identifies and ensures by contract the availability of private personnel and equipment necessary to remove to the maximum extent practicable a worst-case discharge (including a discharge resulting from fire or explosion), and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a discharge
• Describes the training, equipment testing, periodic unannounced drills, and response actions of persons on the vessel or at the facility, to be carried out under the plan to ensure the safety of the vessel or facility and to mitigate or prevent the discharge, or the substantial threat of a discharge
• Is updated periodically
• Is resubmitted for approval of each significant change

US State Response Plans
In addition to Federal regulations (NTVRP) some US States also require the development and Implementation of their own Response Plans. We can assist as required in ensuring that all US statutory requirements are met.

Alaska Non Tank Vessel Contingency Plan
On November 27, 2003 the State of Alaska ratified regulation 18 AAC 75. This directive stipulated that all self-propelled non-tank vessels over 400 gross tons needed to have an approved response plan in order to operate in Alaskan territorial waters.

California Shipboard Oil Prevention Emergency Plan
Non-tank Vessel Oil Spill Contingency Plan
Non-tank vessels of 300 gross tons or above must hold an oil spill contingency plan to operate in California state waters. Regulations also require that non-tank vessels have a California Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR).