New US salvage rules

The US Coast Guard has published a long awaited Non-tank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) and Other Response Plan regulation. Mandatory compliance will be required of all applicable vessels by January 30, 2014. These regulations impact self-propelled non-tank vessels of 400 gross tons or greater operating in navigable waters of the US and carrying any kind of oil as fuel for main propulsion. The NTVRP requirements for planning of response services are scaled to oil carrying capacity. The new rule requires non-tank vessel owners to enter into agreements with a salvage and marine firefighting provider and list predefined response resources in the VRP. It is estimated to affect more than 14,000 ships.