This is to notify that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) published the Final Rule for "Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan" as per the attached Federal Register.
This final rule requires owners or operators of self-propelled non-tank vessels (*1) of 400 gross tons or greater that operate on the navigable waters of the United States to prepare and submit oil spill response plans. This final rule is effective from October 30, 2013 and oil spill response plans must be submitted to USCG no later than January 30, 2014.

(*1) non-tank vessel
Non-tank vessel means a vessel other than tank vessel or a vessel that is not certified as a tank vessel. And tank vessel means a vessel that is constructed or adapted primarily to carry, or that carries, oil or hazardous material in bulk as cargo or cargo residue, operating on the navigable waters of the United States.

For further details on this final rule and this plan, please refer to the attached Federal Register (33 CFR Parts 151, 155, and 160) or contact directly to USCG.

<Contact Information of USCG>
Coast Guard, Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Vessel Response Plan Review Team
Name: Lieutenant Commander John Peterson
Telephone: 202–372–1226
Email: vrp@uscg.mil

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Machinery Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2022 / 2023
Fax: +81-3-5226-2024
E-mail: mcd@classnk.or.jp