1. (a) Escort tugs shall maintain a station-keeping distance from the tank vessel being escorted of no further than 1,000 feet ahead or aside, or 500 feet astern of the tank vessel while engaged in the escort activity.
2. (b) An escort tug shall not simultaneously engage in the escort of more than one tank vessel.
3. (c) The speed or speeds selected for the transit must permit stationing the escort tug to allow the escort tug to effectively influence the tank vessel's movement in the event of a casualty.
4. (d) A tanker shall have sufficient and qualified line-handling-capable crew members standing by and available to immediately receive lines from each escort tug. In addition, the tanker shall comply with all applicable federal regulations relating to anchor readiness.
5. (e) The line-haul tug for a tank barge shall have sufficient and qualified line-handling-capable deck hands standing by available to receive lines from each escort tug. When the tank barge is fitted with an emergency tow wire or comparable, adequate mechanical device, or the escort tug is made fast to the tank barge, crew transfers shall not be required.
6. (f) Tank vessels shall have sufficient and qualified direct supervision of line-handling-crew operations. Supervisors shall have direct radio communication capability with the bridge of the tank vessel or vessel towing a barge.
7. (g) The master of any tank vessel shall maintain, at all times for which escort tug services are required, direct two way radio communications on VHF-FM with the master of the escort tug on a channel agreed to by both the master of the tank vessel and the master of the escort tug providing escort services.

8. (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, all escort tugs in Humboldt Bay which meet the requirements of this subchapter for the escort of tank vessels shall have their bollard pull (ahead and astern) measured, except as provided in (i) below.

   1. (1) Bollard pull measurements shall be verified by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies.
   2. (2) Bollard pull measurements verified by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies in other ports of the State shall meet the requirements of this section, provided that evidence of the results of these measurements are on file with the Humboldt Bay Harbor District.
   3. (3) Escort tug companies shall provide the Humboldt Bay Harbor District with the results of the bollard pull measurements verified pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter.
   4. (4) Escort tugs whose bollard pull has not been measured and verified or are not within the scope of the definition of “bona fide sister tug”, shall not be used for the escort of tank vessels in Humboldt Bay.
9. (i) An escort tug determined by the master/pilot to be a “bona fide sister tug” may be used with the same (ahead and astern) bollard pull as the certified sister tug.
10. (j) The braking force shall be re-measured after any modification and/or repairs to the main engines, hull, shaft-drive line, or steering, that could affect the bollard pull. The new measurements must be registered with the Humboldt Bay Harbor District.
11. (k) Escort tugs that submit to the Escort Tug Inspection Program, as described in Sections 851.8(a)(4)(B) and 851.23(a)(7)(B), can perform escort duties in any port in the state, if the tugs meet the requirements of the appropriate subchapter (i.e., Subchapter 1, San Francisco Bay Region; Subchapter 2, Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor; Subchapter 3, Port Hueneme Harbor; Subchapter 4, Humboldt Bay; Subchapter 5, San Diego Harbor), of this Chapter 4 of the California Code of Regulations.

12. (l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter:

    1. (1) The tank vessel master remains responsible for the safe navigation and maneuvering of the tank vessel in all circumstances. The requirements outlined in this subchapter are in addition to, and not a limitation of, any other responsibilities created by custom, law, or regulation.

    2. (2) Where an emergency exists, the tank vessel master may adjust the minimum escort tug requirements contained in this subchapter. For purposes of this subchapter, an emergency is defined as any of, but is not limited to, the following:

       1. (A) imminent and immediate danger to the tank vessel, its cargo or its crew;
       2. (B) imminent and immediate danger to a marine terminal, service or escort tug;
       3. (C) imminent and immediate danger to a vessel in the proximity of the escorted vessel; or
       4. (D) any emergency declared by the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port which would necessitate a modification to the provisions set forth in this subchapter.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 8670.17.2 and 8670.23.1, Government Code. Reference: Sections 8670.17.2 and 8670.23.1, Government Code.

History

1. New section filed 2-27-97; operative 3-29-97 (Register 97, No. 9).

2. New subsections (j)-(k) and subsection reletting filed 9-15-2006; operative 10-15-2006 (Register 2006, No. 37).