Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 851.20

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 27, 2024
Section 851.20 - Purpose and Scope

This subchapter sets forth tank vessel escort requirements for tank vessels underway in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor and their approaches. These requirements specify that tank vessels carrying 5,000 or more metric tons of oil in bulk as cargo shall be escorted by a suitable escort tug or tugs. When required, the escort tug(s) shall take action under the direction of the tank vessel master or pilot, to influence the speed and direction of travel of the tank vessels in the event of a casualty, steering or propulsion failure, thereby reducing the possibility of groundings or collisions and the risk of an oil spill from these tank vessels.

This subchapter establishes the criteria for matching tugs to tankers and barges. Tankers will be matched according to a matrix that correlates a tanker's displacement (in metric tons) with the braking force of a tug(s). Barges with a displacement tonnage less than or equal to 20,000 metric tons shall be matched based on the aggregate displacement tonnage of both the primary towing vessel and the tank barge. Barges with a displacement tonnage greater than 20,000 metric tons require a tethered escort and a one-to-one correlation between the sum of the total displacement tonnage of the primary towing vessel and its barge, and the escort tug(s).

The Administrator shall periodically review the matching criteria, other program elements and enforcement mechanisms. The program review will include a survey of the tank vessel-related incidents in U.S. waters to determine the type of failures that have occurred, an assessment of tug technology and any advances made in design and power, and the tug escort-related rules and policies that are implemented by other coastal states and maritime organizations, and any changes to bathymetry in the Harbor. At the conclusion of the review, the Administrator will determine whether it is necessary to modify the tug/tank vessel matching criteria or any other provision of the program requirements.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 851.20

1. New subchapter 2 and section filed 7-28-94; operative 8-29-94 (Register 94, No. 30).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subchapter 2 heading filed 7-12-95 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 95, No. 28).
3. Amendment of subchapter 2 heading, section and NOTE filed 8-19-98; operative 9-18-98 (Register 98, No. 34).
4. Amendment filed 7-16-2001; operative 8-15-2001 (Register 2001, No. 29).
5. Amendment filed 7-12-2012; operative 8-11-2012 (Register 2012, No. 28).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 8670.17.2 and 8670.23.1, Government Code. Reference: Section 8670.17.2, Government Code.

1. New subchapter 2 and section filed 7-28-94; operative 8-29-94 (Register 94, No. 30).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subchapter 2 heading filed 7-12-95 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 95, No. 28).
3. Amendment of subchapter 2 heading, section and Note filed 8-19-98; operative 9-18-98 (Register 98, No. 34).
4. Amendment filed 7-16-2001; operative 8-15-2001 (Register 2001, No. 29).
5. Amendment filed 7-12-2012; operative 8-11-2012 (Register 2012, No. 28).