Page 16: of Marine News Magazine (December 2013)

INSIGHTSto represent each and every one of our members and to pro- mote the beneÞ ts of our organization to prospective mem- bers. The strength of the SCAA is in our members. The Networking power of the SCAA is incredibly strong and as President, I will continue to foster these partnerships. The new Non-Tank Vessel Response rules have been published in the Federal Register. Did SCAA have a role in crafting any part of that document? If so, what was it?SCAA has been asked to comment and advise on the new Non-Tank regulations and have met with the USCG to discuss how the response rules will affect our member- ship. The Spill Control Association is a member of a Part- nership Action Team with the USCG and is often brought in to comment on proposed changes to maritime response regulations. In your words, describe the importance of the new rules. What?s the bottom line in terms of industry im- pact ? for those operators affected and the service providers who will be called upon to provide service? The new Non-Tank Vessel Response rules have aided in identifying risk and have helped operators plan for com- mon pollution incidents resulting from groundings and collisions. Responding organizations, including many of our members, are consequently better prepared to service these clients today under the new rules. Through drills and exercises, they will continue, to be ready for the next call to service. Does industry have the capacity to step in for all the new hulls now required to establish these relation- ships with  re ghting, salvage, and response provid- ers? Where does SCAA  t into the puzzle? In a word: Yes. The response industry in the United States is well prepared and has the capacity to cover Non- Tank Vessel operators under the new rules. In fact, many of these clients have been previously covered by or serviced from many of our members. Do you think your  rm will need to increase hiring to meet new demand as a result of the new non-tank rules?Not at this time. The non-tank  nal rule also updates the Internation- al Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan require- ments that apply to all nontank vessels and certain tank vessels. What advice would you give non-tank vessel operators today as they move forward in a new regulatory regime? Continue to work with response industry experts to en- sure that you and your designated responder can meet the requirements. From the responder?s perspective, what?s the most important part of developing an effective team, espe- cially when there can be a lot of down time between actual emergency events? Many of our members provide a vast range of Non-Re- sponse services in addition to Response. Services ranging from on-board tank cleaning, line handling, booming, ma- rine transfers, waste disposal to name a few. Deployment Drills and Table top exercises are also conducted during down time. Is there an ?ideal? CV for the person who is tasked with attending and/or leading an effective response effort? If so, what is it? In a word: Experience. Federal regulations: which emerging rules will affect the spill response community the most? Without a doubt, the issue of Limited Responder im- munity is the single biggest issue that is affecting the re- sponse community as a whole and could have a drastic effect on the NationÕs ability to respond to future events. Initial response to all marine events relies heavily on local responders. Time is always of the essence when it comes to being able to quickly and effectively contain and con- trol a spill. Many of the local responders in ports around the nation are small businesses and as such are extremely vulnerable to the potential litigation costs that so often come from that initial response É just because they were on scene lending assistance. The concern amongst many of our members and the response community as a whole is that without some added protection(s), some of these local responders may choose to take a step back when requested to respond. ItÕs important to note that no one is saying that responders shouldnÕt be held liable for negligent acts, but there has to be limits. BSEE?s SEM?s rules ? this is a hot item right now. How will they affect how your members do business, if at all?Also known as the Workplace Safety rule, the BSEE SEMS rule brings many of the best practices that the re- December 201316 MNMN Dec2013 Layout 1-17.indd 16MN Dec2013 Layout 1-17.indd 1611/25/2013 12:40:13 PM11/25/2013 12:40:13 PM