Requirements for delivering vessels
This page contains oil spill prevention resources for vessels delivering oil in bulk to commercial vessels or facilities. The information here includes best practices to reduce oil spill risk and Washington state inspection checklists and regulations.
Items Delivering Vessels need to submit to Ecology
| Item to be submitted | What it is |
|---|---|
| Advance notice of oil transfer | Delivering vessels must submit notice 24 hours prior to a transfer. |
| Boom Reporting Form |
Delivering vessels must submit this form when it is not safe and effective to pre-boom, or when conditions develop during a pre-boomed transfer that require removal of the boom. Boom Reporting Form information can also be entered directly into the Advance Notice of Transfer (ANT) system. |
| Safe and Effective Threshold Determination Report | Delivering vessels that transfer at rates greater than 500 gallons per minute must have an approved Safe and Effective Threshold Determination Report that describes when it is safe and effective to boom. |
| Contingency Plan | Tank vessels and large commercial vessels greater than 300 gross tons must develop, maintain, and practice their contingency plan, or sign up with an approved Washington state umbrella plan. |
| Emergency Event Report | Covered tank vessels must notify the state of any emergency that results in the discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil by phone within one hour of the event by calling Washington's Division of Emergency Management at 1-800-258-5990 (24 hours a day). |
| Financial responsibility | Tank vessels, including tank barges, must demonstrate financial responsibility |
Additional requirements for Delivering Vessels
| Requirements | What it is |
|---|---|
| Vessel oil transfer advance notice and containment requirements | Delivering vessels must meet all requirements in WAC 173-184 |
| Oil Transfer load plan |
Delivering vessels must fill out a transfer plan prior to an oil transfer. Oil Transfer load plan and Bunker Pre-load Plan templates are available for your use. |
| Pre-booming, alternative measures, & equivalent compliance | Delivering vessels must use oil spill containment boom or alternative protective measures. |
| Oil spill drills | Tank vessels and large commercial vessels greater than 300 gross tons must participate in oil spill drills. |
Checklists, Job Aids, and Information Sheets
| Resource | What it is |
|---|---|
| Delivering Vessel Transfer Checklist | Checklist used by Ecology to inspect regulated transfers from Delivering Vessels. |
| Pre-Transfer Conference Job Aid | A tool that Persons in Charge (PICs) may use to ensure their pre-transfer conference includes the discussion topics in WAC 317-40-070 and 33 CFR 156.120 (w). |
| Safe and Effective Report Job Aid | Step-by-step instructions on how to find, download, and process weather data for oil transfer locations. |
| Bunkering Safe Access and Pre-Transfer Conferences | Summary of safe access and in-person pre-transfer conference requirements for vessels delivering oil. |
| Pre-booming requirements for vessels delivering oil | Summary of Pre-booming Requirements for vessels and facilities delivering oil. |
| Lessons Learned from Vessel Fueling Spills | Lessons learned from spills that occurred while fueling vessels in Washington. |
| Report all Spills | Description of how to report a spill. |
| Multi-Vessel Contingency Plans | Summary of requirements for vessel owners and operators enrolled in multi-vessel contingency plans. |
| Focus on Vessel Notifications for Threat of Oil Spills | Summary of requirement for vessels to make notifications for vessel incidents. |
Washington state laws and regulations
Our Spills Program operates under the authority of Washington state rules and regulations:
- Vessel oil spill prevention and response (RCW 88.46)
- Oil and hazardous substance spill prevention and response (RCW 90.56)
- Water pollution control (RCW 90.48)
- Transport of petroleum products — financial responsibility (RCW 88.40)
- Vessel contingency plan and response contractor standards (WAC 317-10)
- Bunkering operations (WAC 317-40)
- Financial responsibility (WAC 173-187)
- Vessel oil transfer advance notice and containment requirements (WAC 173-184)
- Oil spill contingency plan (WAC 173-182)
Visit our laws, rules, and rulemaking page for more information about our current rules and rulemaking.