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CALIFORNIA: WARNING OF INCREASED AIR POLLUTION PENALTIES AS TEMPERATURES RISE
Published: 21 May 2020
Members are reminded of the strict regulations governing air pollution in the US State of California where Rule 1142, issued by the local authorities, states that:
“…all hatches, pressure relief valves, connections, gauging ports and vents, and other equipment associated with a loading, lightering, ballasting, or housekeeping event shall be maintained free of liquid or gaseous leaks.”
The risk is that gaseous leaks, in violation of Rule 1142, can occur on tankers when anchored off the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for extended periods of time in ambient air and when water temperatures are warm. At this time of year, air and sea water temperatures in Southern California are usually forecast to rise which, in turn, increases the risk of violating this Rule. As a number of tankers are now being used as de facto storage facilities, Members operating tankers where gaseous leaks occur, while berthed at either of the Ports (or at anchorage) should contact their local agents, asking them to notify the relevant authorities as soon as possible. This prior notification and preemptive action may result in lower penalties being applied.
The full alert is available here.