A Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) is a response plan that is required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for certain types of vessels that do not carry oil as cargo or fuel, but still have the potential to cause oil spills. The NTVRP outlines the procedures and resources that the vessel owner or operator will use to respond to a spill, including:
- Identifying the types of oil that the vessel could potentially discharge
- Identifying the areas where spills could occur
- Identifying the equipment and personnel that will be used to respond to spills
- Outlining the procedures for reporting spills to the USCG and other relevant agencies
- Identifying the resources that will be used to clean up spills, such as boom and skimmers
The NTVRP must also include a schedule for drills and exercises to ensure that the crew is prepared to respond to spills and that the plan is effective.
The Non-Tank vessels that are required to have a response plan are:
- Towing vessels of more than 26 feet in length
- Vessels that carry oil as a secondary cargo, such as barges
- Vessels that transfer oil at sea, such as oil transfer ships
- Certain fishing vessels
NTVRPs are subject to review and approval by the Coast Guard, and must be updated and re-submitted every 5 years. The plans are also subject to drills and exercises, and the vessels are subject to inspections to ensure compliance with the regulations.
