(a) If the operator of a tank ship or tank barge for which a contingency plan has not been approved desires to have the tank ship or tank barge enter waters of the state, the administrator may give approval by telephone or facsimile machine for the entry of the tank ship or tank barge into waters of the state under an approved contingency plan applicable to a terminal or tank ship, if all of the following are met:
(1) The terminal or tank ship is the destination of the tank ship or tank barge.
(2) The operator of the terminal or the tank ship provides the administrator advance written assurance that the operator assumes all responsibility for the operations of the tank ship or tank barge while it is in waters of the state traveling to or from the terminal. The assurance may be delivered by hand or by mail or may be sent by facsimile machine, followed by delivery of the original.
(3) The approved terminal or tank ship contingency plan includes all conditions the administrator requires for the operations of tank ship or tank barges traveling to and from the terminal.
(4) The tank ship or tank barge and its operations meet all requirements of the contingency plan for the tank ship or terminal that is the destination of the tank ship or tank barge.
(5) The tank ship or tank barge without an approved contingency plan has not entered waters of the state more than once in the 12-month period preceding the request made under this section.
(b) At all times that a tank ship or tank barge is in waters of the state pursuant to subdivision (a), its operators and all their agents and employees shall operate the vessel in accordance with the applicable operations manual or, if there is an oil spill, in accordance with the directions of the administrator and the applicable contingency plan.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 35, Sec. 26. (SB 861) Effective June 20, 2014.)