Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 851.80
The regulations in this subchapter set forth tank vessel escort requirements for tank vessels entering, shifting within, or leaving Humboldt Bay.
"Humboldt Bay" encompasses those harbor boundaries which include all submerged lands of Humboldt Bay (Inner Harbor); and the open water boundary defined as the area centered on the Humboldt Bay Sea Buoy and extending radially outward for a distance of one mile then landward to the perpendicular intersection with the north and south spits.
The escort tug requirements specify that tank vessels carrying as cargo a total volume of oil greater than or equal to 5,000 long tons or 5% of the vessel's deadweight tonnage, whichever is less, shall be escorted by a suitable escort tug(s).
The escort tug(s) shall be used to influence the speed and direction of travel of a tank vessel in the event of a steering or propulsion failure, thereby reducing the possibility of groundings or collisions and the risk of an oil spill from these tank vessels.
The Administrator shall review the tug/tank vessel matching criteria and other requirements of this subchapter within two years of the effective date of this subchapter. The 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 escort tug-related rules and policies that are implemented by other coastal states and maritime organizations. At the conclusion of the review, the Administrator will determine whether it is necessary to modify the tug/tank vessel match criteria or any other requirements of this subchapter.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 851.80
Note: Authority cited: Sections 8670.17.2 and 8670.23.1, Government Code. Reference: Sections 8670.17.2 and 8670.23.1, Government Code.