Page 17: of Marine News Magazine (December 2013)

Innovative Products & Boats of 2012

Read this page in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of December 2013 Marine News Magazine

sponse community already follows into the off-shore environment. The safety rules that SCAA members use today, under OSHA, Þ t very well into the new SEMS rules and as such the response community is already poised to follow the new SEMS rules. Im- pact to our members will therefore be minimal. Summarize the current situation with regard to Responder immu- nity, what needs to be done, how you are involved and what?s your best case scenario outcome? The Spill Control Association of America is one member of the Re- sponder Immunity Coalition that was created to focus and align the efforts of the responder community. The Co- alition is working with Legal Council in the DC Metro Area to create a reso- lution to be added to a Bill that will enhance the current responder immu- nity that was part of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Currently SCAA and other members of the coalition are in discussion with various congres- sional leaders on both sides of the isle to bring this issue to a vote. Although sometimes slow going, we are certain that the current law will be strength- ened and the response community will continue to answer the call when needed.What changes do you see coming in your line of business? Why?At the recent Clean Gulf confer- ence, it was clear that many new technologies were emerging in the response community. These include spill tracking and response manage- ment tools. From an operational standpoint, some SCAA members may be looking towards expanding in different geographical areas. In par- ticular, this might mean deployment of assets in shallow draft and inland areas, in order to properly address risks posed by increased inland trafÞ c at rail crossings, pipelines and other similar areas. The increased production of energy in the heartland is a good example of potentially bigger ÒresponseÓ markets. There, the shift in transportation of energy from much larger vessels into smaller, but more numerous vehicles is worth watching. www.marinelink.com MN 17MN Dec2013 Layout 1-17.indd 17MN Dec2013 Layout 1-17.indd 1711/25/2013 12:40:41 PM11/25/2013 12:40:41 PM

Marine News

Marine News is the premier magazine of the North American Inland, coastal and Offshore workboat markets.