Vessel information

Vessel owners and operators should be aware that they are subject to state requirements that vary from federal requirements. State prevention and preparedness requirements for vessels are established in the following rules and laws:

• Chapter 173-184 WAC, Vessel oil transfer advance notice and containment requirements
• Chapter 173-182 WAC, Oil spill contingency plan
• Chapter 173-187 WAC, Financial responsibility 
• Chapter 317-31 WAC, Cargo and passenger vessels — substantial risk
• Chapter 317-40 WAC, Bunkering operations
• Chapter 88.40 RCW, Transport of petroleum products — financial responsibility
• Chapter 88.46 RCW, Vessel oil spill prevention and response
• Chapter 90.56 RCW, Oil and hazardous substance spill prevention and response

The majority of cargo and passenger vessels visiting Washington ports must have contingency plan coverage. Vessels visiting Puget Sound or Grays Harbor must have coverage through Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC) or National Response Corporation (NRC) to be covered under state contingency plan requirements. Vessels visiting the Columbia River must have coverage with the Marine Fire and Safety Association (MFSA). Some vessel owners may elect to submit their own contingency plan, which must be approved by Washington state 65 days prior to arrival in Washington.

Washington state law directs us to "take all actions necessary to respond to a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or hazardous substances into the waters of this state or to collect, investigate, perform surveillance over, remove, contain, treat, or disperse oil or hazardous substances discharged into waters of the state” (Chapter 90.56.350 RCW).

Financial responsibility requirements vary according to vessel type.

Examples of regulated vessels are tank vessels, cargo vessels, large fish processing vessels, and passenger vessels. All vessels over 300 gross tons have requirements for reporting, prevention, and preparedness.

Definitions

Passenger vessel — a ship of greater than 300 gross tons with a fuel capacity of at least 6,000 gallons, carrying passengers for compensation.

Cargo vessel — a self-propelled ship in commerce, other than a tank vessel or a passenger vessel, 300 or more gross tons, including but not limited to commercial fish processing vessels and freighters.

Tank vessel — a ship (regardless of gross tonnage) that is constructed or adapted to carry, or that carries, oil in bulk as cargo or cargo residue, and that operates on the waters of the state; or transfers oil in a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of this state.

All information may be downloaded and used for training or safety lessons. This information will help masters and crews reduce vessel incidents.

• Safety advisory bulletins
• Safe access to vessels
• Cargo and passenger vessel inspections
• Traffic separation scheme and Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Service
• Pre-arrival and pre-departure checks
• Fatigue and maritime operations
• Voyage planning
• Bridge resource management guide

These stories and statistics on past incidents can help masters and crews avoid vessel casualties.

• Case studies
• Learning from incidents and spills
• Why spills happen
• Fatigue Bites