Members Handbook 20023 - ITOPF

from the Fund, the address of which
can be found on page 49 or at
www.uscg.mil/ccs/npfc.
Prevention
There are a considerable number of
sections in OPA ‘90 that deal with the
prevention of oil spills, including
provisions relating to the issue of
licences to seafarers; manning
standards for foreign tank vessels; US
vessel traffic service systems; gauging
of plating thickness; overfill, tank level
and pressure monitoring devices; tanker
navigation safety standards and
manning; and double hull requirements
for tank vessels. This last provision
requires the phasing out of single hull
vessels by certain dates (depending on
the size and age of the tank vessels).
Vessel Response Plans
The owners or operators of vessels over
400 GT are required to have approved
plans for responding to a worst case
discharge of oil or hazardous substance,
or substantial threat thereof. Such Vessel
Response Plans (VRP) are required to be
consistent with the requirements of the
National Contingency Plan and Area
Plans and must:
(i) identify a Qualified Individual having
full authority to implement removal
actions;
(ii) identify and ensure the availability of
private personnel and equipment
necessary to respond to a worst case
discharge or substantial threat
thereof; and
(iii) describe the training, and
equipment testing, periodic
unannounced drills and response
actions of the crew.
VRPs have to be updated periodically
and also have to be re-submitted for
approval after each significant change.
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