Maritime Solutions
Vessel services designed to facilitate a trouble-free first port call to U.S. waters.
Comprehensive OPA-90 Compliance for Vessels
As your partner in compliance, we provide everything you need to navigate the complex regulatory requirements applicable to vessels trading to the U.S.
We develop and submit the mandatory vessel response plan (VRP) documentation for your vessel(s) to enter U.S. waters in full compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and other related regulations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP). Witt O’Brien’s (fka O'Brien's Response Management) also offers a wide variety of comprehensive compliance services to satisfy the VRP exercise requirements from the required annual Incident Management Team Tabletop Exercise (IMT TTX) program and other ship/shore exercises with our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Operations and Command Center, to other mandated state contingency plans and coverages. These preparedness and compliance services are a natural extension of our professional emergency response and incident management consultation services for which we have become so well known over the past four decades.
Vessel Response Plan Preparation
As your partner in compliance, we can assist you with preparing and managing required response plans for OPA 90 and more to keep your vessels in compliance. Click here to learn more about Vessel Response Plan Preparation.
VesselPro™
Witt O’Brien’s VesselPro™ is a document management system that provides plan holders with secure access to their most up-to-the-minute vessel response plans 24/7 from anywhere around the world. With a growing array of features, VesselPro™ makes accessing and updating your plans simple.
Emergency Response Management
When an emergency strikes, most companies don’t have the resources to staff the multiple roles required for an effective response in US waters.
We've been an innovator in emergency response for decades. Our experts stand ready to deploy wherever and whenever needed.
Here's a list of the services we provide to assist you during the most critical times:
- OPA 90 Qualified Individual (QI) services
- Incident management team (IMT) services
- Spill Management Team (SMT) services
- 24/7 Emergency Operations and Command Center
Vessel Inspection Services
Through preventive audits and inspections conducted by former U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel and/or Master Mariners, we will ensure that your vessels are prepared before they are boarded by the USCG or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
We will provide recommendations and liaison services to assist owners and operators with meeting federal – and in some cases, state and local – regulations. These valuable services will help keep your vessels in operation and avoid costly delays.
- Environmental Compliance Programs (DOJ and voluntary)
- ISM/ISO audit support services
- ISPS and vessel security plan audits
- Navigation audits
- Pre-boarding vessel inspection and preparation
- Case Study: Regulatory Enforcement and Whistle-Blowers Raise Compliance Stakes for Vessel Owners and Managers
Regulatory Compliance Support
Questions on ballast water management, exhaust gas scrubbers, the 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP), or progress on the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA)? These are just a few of the topics our team can provide support for to help you better understand the complex regulatory requirements for vessels trading to the US, Canada, and Panama.
We can also assist in arranging special coverages that may be required, including average most probable discharge (AMPD) coverage; Canadian Certified Response Organization (CRO) contracting; California Shoreline Protection coverage; Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans (SOPEP); Panama Authorized Person services; Alaska and California Certificates of Financial Responsibility (COFR); and many others.
- We issue 40+ Circulars annually to keep the maritime industry informed on recent regulatory changes
- Publish and maintain comprehensive Master’s Guides and Regulatory Update Checklists
- Assist in arranging additional coverage requirements when necessary
- Facilitate full NPREP Compliance for our customers
- Case Study: Environmental Compliance Course
- Maintain an e-Learning platform to facilitate web-based training for our clients
Annual Incident Management Team Tabletop Exercise
The annual IMT TTX is an important element in our ongoing “Partnership in Compliance” program. As required by USCG’s “Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines," each Vessel Response Plan Holder must test their plan by conducting an annual exercise with their incident management team. The State of California also requires Plan Holders to conduct an annual IMT TTX.
As your designated IMT, Witt O'Brien's designs, conducts, evaluates, and reports these exercises on your behalf to ensure compliance.
