Intertanko Develops Format for Reporting Inadequate Reception Facilities in U.S.

Intertanko, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), has developed a format for reporting problems encountered with port reception facilities (or inadequate port reception facilities) in the United States.

The USCG recommends that an inadequate port reception facility in the U.S. should be reported immediately to the local Captain of the Port (COTP) as recommended in 33 CFR 158.167. If that is not possible, or preferred, this format may be used and submitted to our INTERTANKO North America office at (fax) +1 703 841-0389. Upon receipt of these reports, the Secretariat will submit them to USCG Headquarters for their further investigation. Please recognize that in developing this format, an effort has been made to maintain a balance between retaining anonymity for the tanker operator and providing the USCG with sufficient information to conduct a further investigation.

During Intertanko’s last North American Panel meeting in October 2006, the USCG informed the Panel of the measures it is taking to ensure that there are adequate reception facilities in the U.S., initiated because the Coast Guard had previously received information from INTERTANKO and others indicating problems with the availability of reception facilities in U.S. ports. Such problems included facilities being unwilling to take wastes, restrictions on when and where they would take wastes, and an unwillingness to report such incidents for fear of jeopardizing business relationships.

In response to these concerns, USCG Headquarters directed the field COTPs to verify a reception facility’s compliance with MARPOL reception facility requirements during facility exams. They also directed COTPs to send reports of inadequate reception facilities up the chain of command to USCG Headquarters. Thus far none have been received. To assist ship operators, the Coast Guard has placed all MARPOL-certified reception facility information on the internet at http://cgmix.uscg.mil/default.aspx, providing an up–to-date list of ports and terminals that hold Coast Guard issued Certificates of Adequacy (COA).