Operators should keep in mind that commercial vessels calling at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will have to ensure compliance with the rules of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
As the UK Clubs notes, vessels also have to comply with the U.S. federal government’s enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI and the California Air Resources Board’s enforcement of its low-sulphur and shore power connection (At-Berth) regulations.
The AQMD regulates air quality in the regions of California and has been actively enforcing its Marine Tank Vessel Regulations (Rule 1142) which bans any liquid or gaseous leaks from “all hatches, pressure relief valves, connections, gauging ports and vents and other equipment associated with a loading, lightering, ballasting, or housekeeping event” from tank vessels while in California Regulated Waters.
Gaseous leaks which violate Rule 1142 tend to take place on tankers which are at anchor off the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for extended periods of time during the times of year when ambient air and water temperatures are warm. As the weather in Southern California is expected to get warmer, the ptential of a pressure release being necessary for safety purposes increases and may lead to a violation.
For tank vessels operating in the region, Witt O’Brien recommends the following actions:
- If possible, vessels should wait for berthing outside of California state waters
- If tank pressures start to rise while the vessel is at anchorage, employ saltwater cooling to the decks. In accordance with the Vessel General Permit (VGP), the decks must be free of oil and grease prior to the discharge of any water overboard. The start and stop times should be logged in order to show due diligence for reducing the pressure in the tanks.
- If a P/V valve or Mast riser releases gases into the atmosphere, we strongly encourage you to self-report the release. It should also be noted whether the release was necessary for the safety of the vessel as part of the design of the pressure relief system. AQMD has stated that selfreporting is considered when determining whether to issue violation notices and fines.
