USCG Roles & Responsibilities During a Ship Fire

1. USCG Roles & Responsibilities During a Ship Fire

2. 14 USC 88 (b) - The USCG must render aid 33 USC 1251 - COTP will coordinate public & private efforts to remove the 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 USCG Authorities for Fire Fighting

3. 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. • Must list fire fighting resources & response times in the plan • Can list, by permission, municipal fire agencies as a response resource • Must conduct exercises and drills • Planning and not a performance standard

4. Some Exceptions for Non Tank Vessels over 400 GT • 33 CFR Part 155.5035 • Requires a fire & salvage plan for all vessels carrying oil with a capacity between 250 and 2500 bbls. • Only requires consent; no contract for resources • Vessels w/ less than 250 bbls only plan for salvage; no fire & listing by consent only.

6. A vessel Owner or Operator must conduct: 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 Drills & Exercises

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

8. 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).

9. 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 Agency & vessel agents/owners/tugs/pilots

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

11. Where to find more:Northwest Are Contingency Plan , Chapter 8000, Sector Columbia River Marine Fire Fighting Contingency Plan http://www.rrt10nwac.com/Files/NWACP/2016/Chapter%208000%20v17.pdf