§3719 Reduction of oil spills from single hull non-self-propelled tank vessels

Summary

The Secretary must write rules, after consulting the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee and considering how these vessels are built and used, for single‑hull tank vessels that are towed in the open ocean or along the coast. The rules must require the tank vessel or its towing vessel to have at least one of three safeguards: a crew member plus a working anchor that can stop the tank vessel in expected sea conditions; an emergency system that lets the towing vessel recover the tank if the tow line breaks; or another measure or mix of measures the Secretary finds gives similar protection against grounding.