Vessel Response Plans

The Coast Guard is adopting with some changes, as final, the interim final rule which establishes regulations requiring response plans for certain vessels that carry oil in bulk as cargo and additional requirements for certain vessels operating in Prince William Sound, Alaska. These regulations are mandated by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). The purpose of requiring vessel response plans is to enhance private sector planning and response capabilities to minimize the impact of spilled oil.