WSPA: PUGET SOUND TANKER RULES UNNECESSARY, RISKY

Added federal regulations on tanker navigation off the U.S. Pacific Northwest are unnecessary and could increase accident risk, say petroleum industry officials. Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) said two proposals would cost industry about $8 million/year and make Puget Sound one of the costliest ports of call in the U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard has recommended these changes in tanker navigation practices in Puget Sound off Washington and the Columbia River region of Oregon and

July 2, 1990

2 min read

Added federal regulations on tanker navigation off the U.S. Pacific Northwest are unnecessary and could increase accident risk, say petroleum industry officials.

Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) said two proposals would cost industry about $8 million/year and make Puget Sound one of the costliest ports of call in the U.S.

The U.S. Coast Guard has recommended these changes in tanker navigation practices in Puget Sound off Washington and the Columbia River region of Oregon and Washington:

Extending mandatory tug escorts through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to prevent grounding of a single propulsion vessel in case of propulsion failure.
Requiring every tanker navigating in and out of Puget Sound to carry an approved emergency towing plan describing procedure for tug makeup in an emergency.
Setting new speed limits for vessels under tug escort.
Ensuring that more than one licensed officer, including the pilot, is on the bridge at all times to navigate in pilotage waters of the sound and the river.
Requiring a local pilot in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and that English be spoken on the bridge.
Mandating emergency tow lines on oil barges.

WSPA RESPONDS

Generally, WSPA said, most of the proposed regulations' goals have been achieved and others could be implemented simply by a captain of the port order or existing guidelines.

WSPA especially objected to proposals requiring extension of mandatory tug escorts and presence of a local pilot while navigating the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

WSPA said extending mandatory tug escorts through the strait isn't needed because it is a large, deep body of water with no real navigational dangers.

Instead, WSPA wants to see the existing traffic separation scheme and vessel traffic system in the strait be strengthened to be mandatory for all vessels in strait.

Further, local pilot knowledge is not needed for the large open waters of the strait, WSPA said.

"Having pilots board and disembark vessels off Cape Flattery is highly risky because of the extreme sea conditions," WSPA said. "Frequently occurring, week-long storms may preclude the boarding of pilots for several consecutive days, creating a backlog of loaded tankers in the vicinity of Cape Flattery, increasing the risk of collision."