Non Tank Vessel Response Plans: Interim operating authorisations expire 31st July 2014
The "Nontank Vessel Response Plans and Other Response Plan Requirements" (NTVRP) final rule required owners or operators of nontank vessels 400 gt and above to submit oil spill response plans for vessels operating on the navigable waters of the United States by 30th January 2014. The Coast Guard used an Interim Operating Authorization (IOA) process to assist vessel owners and operators to meet the
deadline and continue to operate.
Members should note that the IOAs will expire on the 31st July 2014. If your non-tank vessels trade to the US and you do not already have an Approved Vessel Response Plan in place, you should contact your Qualified Individual/Plan Preparer as soon as possible to ensure your plan is approved prior to the 31st July 2014 deadline. For more information on the IOA expiration please see the attached Marine Safety Information Bulletin from the USCG.
Vessel Response Plan compliance is covered in a specialist section of this website. Links to this section can be found in either the rotating banner at the head of the home page, or in the right hand column of the Knowledge section.
The Club has also produced a number of circulars on VRPs, the latest on which is
Hold preparation is probably the most vital part of bulk carrier operations; if it is not undertaken properly, it can result in substantial cargo claims, delays, additional cleaning, survey costs and expensive off-hire disputes.
The preparation of cargo holds for the next intended carriage is a critical operation which requires careful planning and execution; this article considers a number of legal issues which may arise, including terms commonly used in charterparties to describe the cleanliness of cargo holds, the consequences of failing to comply with such terms, potentially resulting in off-hire claims and damages, and the role of the independent surveyor.
During the initial stages of the voyage, the vessel encountered heavy weather, with spray and seas shipped on deck and all hatch covers over a period of 8 days; this video explores how this affected the maize cargo.
