Oil Spill Equipment Regulations

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The predominant regulatory requirements for oil spill equipment originate from MARPOL of

the IMO and the US government’s Oil Pollution Act (OPA) 1990.

In particular jurisdictions other local regulations may also apply.  It is important to know and

be prepared for these

before

sailing to that jurisdiction.

IMO & MARPOL

•  MARPOL Annex 1, Regulation 37 (formerly regulation 26) requires all oil tankers of

150gt and above and all other vessels of 400gt and above to carry on board a

Shipboard

Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

or SOPEP.

•  This plan must include onboard emergency equipment (sorbents) and training for marine

personnel on an IMO recognised pollution course.

•  Marpol does not specify a particular list of oil spill equipment that must be onboard but

sets standards for sorbents in A535/13.  Unitor sorbents meet this requirement.

United states Oil Pollution Act 1990

1.  Tankers of 400ft (122m) or more which enter US waters and that are carrying more

than 10,000 barrels (1590m

) of oil must have equipment able to handle at least a 12

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barrel (1900 litre) on-deck spill.  They must also have an oil pollution emergency plan.

(33 CFR §155.205)

2.  Tankers less than 400ft (122m) that are carrying oil in bulk must have equipment able

to handle a spill on deck of at 7 barrels (1100 litres) spill.  (33 CFR §155.210)

3.  Inland oil barges must be equipped to deal with a spill of at least 1 barrel (159 litres).

(33 CFR 45715 §155.215)

4.  Vessels carrying oil as a secondary cargo must carry appropriate equipment and

supplies for the containment and removal of on-deck oil cargo spills of a least on-half

barrel.  (33 CFR 45715 §155.220)

5.  Oil spill sorbents must satisfy the standards set by section 4202 of OPA.  Unitor

sorbents meet this standard.

OPA REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

The spill equipment for cases 1 and 2 must include all of the following, while cases 3 and 4

must include just items A to E inclusive:

A.  Sorbents

B.  Non-sparking hand scoops, shovels and buckets

C.  Containers suitable for holding recovered waste

D.  Emulsifiers for deck cleaning

E.  Protective clothing

F.  A minimum of one non-sparking portable pump with hoses

G.  Scupper plugs

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Oil Spill Equipment Regulations

CALIFORNIAN CODE OF REGULATIONS SECTIONS 840 – 845.2

These regulations are in addition to those summarised under the OPA 1990 heading (above)

and apply to vessels involved in oil transfer operations (including bunkering).  Such vessels

must provide appropriate equipment and supplies for the containment, removal and storage of

on-deck oil spills of at least seven barrels (1100litres).

•  These regulations apply to both transfer and receiving vessels.

•  In addition to all the

OPA Required Equipment

above, there must be 15 gallons (57 litres)

of deck cleaning agent.

•  The required equipment must remain ready and the pumps with required hoses must be

ready for immediate use during transfer operations.

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