USCG Roles Responsibilities During a Ship Fire USCG

USCG Roles & Responsibilities During a Ship Fire

USCG Authorities for Fire Fighting n n 14 USC 88 (b) - The USCG must render aid 33 USC 1251 - COTP will coordinate public & private efforts to remove threat & release of oil/Hazmat 33 USC 1221 – COTP to direct the movement of vessels, cargo & control the waterway to protect port assets USCG Policy – Marine Fire fighting is and should remain the responsibility of the state & local agencies

n What about the VRP Regulations? 33 CFR Part 155, Subpart I Requires a fire & salvage plan for all tank vessels carrying Group I-IV oils (gasoline to heavy crudes) & freight vessels over 400 GT w/ capacity of over 2500 bbls. n Must list fire fighting resources & response times in the plan n Can list, by permission, municipal fire agencies as a response resource n Must conduct exercises and drills n Planning and not a performance standard n

Some Exceptions for Non Tank Vessels over 400 GT n 33 CFR Part 155. 5035 Requires a fire & salvage plan for all vessels carrying oil with a capacity between 250 and 2500 bbls. n Only requires consent; no contract for resources n Vessels w/ less than 250 bbls only plan for salvage; no fire & listing by consent only. n

Marine Fire Fighting Response Times At Pier (in hours) Inland Waters < 12 miles off shore Between 12 & 50 miles off shore Remote Assessment & Planning 1 1 1 On Site Assessment External Fire Fighting Teams Ext Fire Fighting Systems 2 6 12 4 8 12 4 12 18

Drills & Exercises A vessel Owner or Operator must conduct: n n Quarterly remote assessment exercises Annual Shore based salvage & marine fire fighting Table Top Exercises Annual Response Provider Equip Deployment Every 3 Years the entire plans must be exercised

Different Incidents – Different Roles Waterways and Incident Management (COTP/FOSC) Fire – Technical Advisor Pollution/Salvage

To What extent will the USCG be Involved? • The USCG will become more involved as the incident increases in risk to the general public, adjacent facilities, vessels or the environment • Will respond as resources are available & appropriate for the incident (may be the only ones capable of responding offshore) • Will not put crew in danger nor give up operational control to another organization (e. g. orders will come from USCG w/ in IC/UC organization).

Specific USCG Marine Fire Assistance • • • Obtain and assist reading fire control plans & vessel layout Provide vessel stability & structural integrity (Salvage Engineering Response Team) Water & Air Plume modeling for oil & Hazmat (NOAA) ID dangerous cargo via ship’s agent/owner/customs Control Vessel traffic Alert & order preventative action on adjacent facilities Plan for Vessel Salvage Plan for Pollution Response Act as Federal On Scene Coordinator between Fire

Transition After Extinguishment n UC must agree on fire status and potential for reigniting n USCG will respond to and manage any pollution to the water n USCG will initiate investigation for root cause & possible personnel actions (may include Fire Marshal, NTSB, etc. ) n USCG will conduct damage assessment of the vessel

Where to find more: Northwest Are Contingency Plan , Chapter 8000, Sector Columbia River Marine Fire Fighting Contingency Plan http: //www. rrt 10 nwac. com/Files/NWACP/2016/Chapter%20 8000%20 v 17. pdf