Emergency Contingency Procedures ECP - Matrix Types of Contingency Plans	Doc No.: ECP-A37 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

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1. TYPES OF CONTINGENCY PLANS

Due to the wide variety of national and international regulations for various types of contingency plans, merchant vessels will have specific plans for specific emergency situations. It is important the crew understand what types of contingency plans are required and how such plans inter-relate with the ship and shore emergency organization. Required contingency plans that are incorporated into the HSSEQ Management System by reference:

• OPA 90 Vessel Response Plan
• MARPOL SOPEP
• MARPOL SMPEP
• Panama Canal SOPEP
• U.S. Individual State Vessel Response Plans
• Ship Security Plan
• Fire Safety Operations Manual
• Emergency Plan - Muster List
• Emergency Station Bill
• ICS Booklet "Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations"
• U.S. State Vessel Response Plans (California/Alaska)
• ISP Code Ship Security Plan
• MARSAR - Search and Rescue Manual

Contingency plans do not provide a standard recipe that may be followed to the letter, because real situations will always have specific circumstances that differ from the planned cases. Contingency plans are primarily meant to be a guide for preparing for the handling of unexpected situations. By studying the plan in advance, it is possible to evaluate and prepare for special circumstances in a real situation.

• Contingency plans provide a foundation for training so that staff can understand what will be demanded of them in various situations.
• By training in accordance with contingency plans, it is possible to see if the actions specified are suitable or if methods or equipment are adequate, etc.
• Such observations are used to revise contingency plans so that emergency preparedness can be enhanced.

2. GUIDANCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE TYPES

Vessels that experience an accidental or unauthorised discharge of oil or chemicals shall implement notification and mitigation actions to reduce the environmental impact in accordance with the vessel’s SOPEP. Vessels transiting the Panama Canal shall also carry out the actions required by the Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (PC-SOPEP). SOPEP notifications shall be timely and shall be made to the appropriate regulatory agencies of the coastal state.

A vessel in U.S. waters (including within the U.S. 200 Mile Exclusive Economic Zone) that experiences an oil spill must carry out notification and mitigating action as required by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) in accordance with the vessel’s U.S. Coast Guard approved VRP.

In general, VRP requirements include prompt notification of the designated Qualified Individual (QI) and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Vessels that are located within U.S. State waters (generally within 3 nautical miles of shore) may also be required to notify State marine environmental authorities. Details for notifying such officials are available in the VRP. Vessels that experience incidents in the waters of the State of California must also comply with the requirements of the California Contingency Plan & Emergency Response Manual.