Marine Spill Response Corp. (MSRC) and Alaska Maritime Prevention & Response Network announced a strategic alliance to support industry’s efforts to meet federal regulations for nontank vessels and to enhance oil spill response efforts in western Alaska and Prince William Sound.
In a Jan. 29 statement from Anchorage, the Alaska network said it will join the Marine Preservation Association, which is the funding organization for MSRC.
MSRC will work with the Alaska network to develop a western Alaska fly-away kit, which will identify resources that could be flown to Alaska in case of a hydrocarbon release.
The kit will include items from MSRC's inventory, and it could include recent additions such as Norwegian fast advancing oil collection systems and remote sensing capabilities.
In addition, MSRC will cooperate in a yearly drill with the Alaska network and its response partners.
During September 2013, the US Coast Guard published a nontank vessel response plan effective Jan. 31, 2014. USCG calls for improved preparedness and reaction to potential discharge incidents, including improved effectiveness of shoreside and onboard response activities.
The regulations cover self-propelled nontank vessels of 400 gross tons or greater operating in US navigable waters and carry any kind of oil as fuel for main propulsion.
The Alaska network is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to implement alternative spill response and prevention measures.
Contact Paula Dittrick at [email protected].
