RCW 88.46.050 Vessel screening.

(1) In order to ensure the safety of marine transportation within the navigable waters of the state and to protect the state's natural resources, the department shall adopt rules for determining whether cargo vessels and passenger vessels entering the navigable waters of the state pose a substantial risk of harm to the public health and safety and the environment.

(2) The rules may include:

(a) Examining available information sources for evidence that a cargo or passenger vessel may pose a substantial risk to safe marine transportation or the state's natural resources. Information sources may include: Vessel casualty lists, United States coast guard casualty reports, maritime insurance ratings, the index of contingency plans compiled by the department of ecology, other data gathered by the maritime commission, or any other resources;

(b) Requesting the United States coast guard to deny a cargo vessel or passenger vessel entry into the navigable waters of the state, if the vessel poses a substantial environmental risk;

(c) Notifying the state's spill response system that a cargo or passenger vessel entering the state's navigable waters poses a substantial environmental risk;

(d) Inspecting a cargo or passenger vessel that may pose a substantial environmental risk, to determine whether the vessel complies with applicable state or federal laws. Any vessel inspection conducted pursuant to this section shall be performed during the vessel's scheduled stay in port; and

(e) Enforcement actions.

[ 2000 c 69 § 5; 1992 c 73 § 19; 1991 c 200 § 418.]

NOTES:

Effective dates—1992 c 73: See RCW 82.23B.902.