<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".22" citation="COMAR 26.10.01.22" title_num="26" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="01" heading="Requirements for Tank Vessels.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Response Plan.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel shall comply with the requirements of §A(2)—(4) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel required to have an approved response plan under 33 CFR Part 155, Subpart D may not operate the tank vessel in the State unless the owner and the operator of the tank vessel and the tank vessel are in full compliance with federal requirements for a response plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel shall include in a response plan, at a minimum:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Training elements;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Oil spill, release, or discharge contingency elements;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Removal equipment elements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>All of the elements required to be included in a response plan under 33 CFR Part 155, Subpart D.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel shall make an approved response plan available for review by a representative of the Department upon request.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Detection and Control of Oil Spills, Releases, and Discharges.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All-weather Escort Tank Vessel.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The requirements of §B(1) and (2) of this regulation do not apply to a public vessel.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel shall ensure that a tank vessel transporting oil in the State is accompanied by an all-weather escort vessel.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The crew on an escort vessel shall continuously check for any evidence of an oil spill, release, or discharge from the escorted tank vessel.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A vessel supplying propulsion to the tank vessel does not fulfill the requirement for an all-weather escort vessel.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Alternative Monitoring. In lieu of meeting the escort vessel requirement under §B(1) of this regulation, an owner and an operator of a tank vessel may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Equip the tank vessel with a cargo level monitoring system;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Ensure the tank vessel’s double hulls are designed in compliance with 33 CFR §157.10(d); or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Have a Department approved plan prepared by the owner and the operator of the tank vessel that provides for visual or another method of inspection of load lines or draft markings for the tank vessel that will determine the existence of an oil spill, release, or discharge from the tank vessel.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Cargo Level Monitoring System. An owner and an operator of a tank vessel shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Maintain the cargo level monitoring system of the tank vessel in full working order; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Correct a malfunction of equipment before getting the tank vessel underway.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Inspection Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The requirements of this section do not apply to a public vessel.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel transporting oil in the State shall inspect the tank vessel in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Subtitle II, Part B and 46 CFR Part 2.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department may require an owner and an operator of a tank vessel to perform additional inspections if the Department has reason to believe the tank vessel has been damaged or responsible for one or more spills, releases, or discharges due to structural damage.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An owner and an operator of a tank vessel shall display a certificate of inspection issued under 46 U.S.C. Subtitle II, Part B and 46 CFR Part 2 in a conspicuous place on the tank vessel.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>