COMDTINST 16450.32A
c.
During vessel boardings, field personnel shall determine whether the sections of vessel
response plans required by 33 CFR 155.1030(i) are carried on board oil tank vessels. In
particular, check the accuracy of the notification information contained in the geographic
specific appendix for that port. Field offices should also ensure that the vessel is operating
in compliance with any operational restriction identified in the plan and that the required
drills and training are being conducted.
d.
The vessel checks should be made by field offices during pollution prevention compliance
visits on U.S. and foreign flag tank vessels during bulk liquid transfers, annual tank vessel
exams, letter of compliance examinations, and inspections for certification or mid-period
inspections, as appropriate. Field offices should not make a special examination to check
for the presence of a response plan.
e.
Field offices shall submit reports of violations for those vessels handling, storing, or
transporting oil and found without response plans during routine examinations or
inspections. If the vessel owner or operator purports to have submitted a response plan to
Commandant (G-MEP- 6), confirm this with Commandant (G-MEP-6), but still initiate
civil penalty action for failure to carry the proper sections of the response plan on board.
f.
Some common enforcement scenarios for vessels without approved response plans and the
appropriate COTP actions are:
(1) Oil vessel laden or in ballast with cargo residue enroute to U.S. port: Deny entry to
the port and process a ROV citing 33 CFR 155.1025 if the vessel is within U.S.
Jurisdiction.
(2) Oil-laden vessels discovered in port: Unit should shut down any cargo operations
being undertaken and detain vessel in port until it has an approved plan or
authorization to operate under a submitted plan. A unit may allow a one time port visit
after imposing any situation-specific pollution prevention measures deemed necessary
by the COTP and allow cargo operations to proceed. In all cases, the unit should
process a ROV citing 33 CFR 155.1025.
(3) Unladen vessel, discovered in port, anticipating cargo operations: (1) If gas-free,
deny authorization to load cargo until plan requirements are met; (2) if in ballast with
cargo residue, authorize to load cargo after the conditions for a
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