Coast Guard: Improved Analysis of Vessel Response Plan Use Could Help Mitigate Marine Pollution Risk

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Abstract:

Pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of1990, the Coast Guard issued regulations requiring tankers and other large vessels to develop VRPs that identify the resources that would respond to an oil spill, including a spill resulting from a fire or explosion. The Coast Guard reviews VRPs against certain regulatory requirements, such as time frames for response. In remote locations with limited response resources, those seeking VRP approvals may request to use APC for responses instead. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO to review the VRP program. This report examines the Coast Guard's processes for assessing (1) VRPs against regulations and (2) requests for use of APC. GAO reviewed VRP regulations and guidance, analyzed VRP-related data, and interviewed Coast Guard personnel, and industry officials - selected based on geographic location and to obtain a variety of different perspectives. Information from these entities is nongeneralizable, but provides insight into VRP processes.

Author(s):
Anderson, Nathan ; Hoff, Dawn ; Blake, Jason ; Cave, Breanne ; Crossley, Benjamin ; Fonseca, Emilio ; Gamble, Charlotte ; , ; Hatscher, Christopher ; Hauswirth, Eric ; Hsu, Susan ; King, Tracey ; Mingus, John ; Richardson, Terry ; Ryan, Molly
Author Organization(s):
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
Funding Organization(s):
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON DC , DC
Document Type:
Technical Report/Congressional Report
Publication Date:
2020 Sep 01
Pagination:
84

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Subject Terms
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
Ground and Sea Platforms
Descriptor(s):
marine transportation, geographic regions, maritime industry, congress, organizational structure, identification systems, information systems, military personnel, department of homeland security, law, personnel management, united states, coast guard personnel, homeland security, oil spills, application software, business administration
Keyword(s):
COAST GUARD(US COAST GUARD), DHS(DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY), NOV(NOTICE OF VIOLATION), OMB(OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET), OPA90(OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990), RESOURCE INVENTORY(RESPONSE RESOURCE INVENTORY), VRP(VESSEL RESPONSE PLAN)
Subject Categories:
Behavioral and Social Sciences; Mechanical, Industrial, Civil and Marine Engineering
Creation Date:
2022 Jul 28
Update Date:
2022 Sep 19