Information Packet Helps Marinas and Yacht Clubs get Spill Information in California
State officials distributed information packets to marinas and yacht clubs to help them get needed information in the event of an oil spill. The packet includes an oil spill plan template, emergency contact numbers, oil spill response organization information, and much more in an easily accessible electronic document.
“Marinas and yacht clubs are primary waterfront constituents with extensive waterway and boating knowledge,” said Thomas Cullen, Administrator for the Department of Fish and Game’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). “Providing them with tools and resources like this information packet will strengthen our partnership with them and improve our coordination during spill response.”
In response to oil spills that have occurred on the San Francisco Bay, especially the M/V Cosco Busan spill, several federal, state, local government and boating organizations started the San Francisco Bay and Delta Area Committee Marinas and Yacht Clubs Oil Spill Preparedness Work Group in 2010. The agencies leading this effort included OSPR, CalEMA, the California Department of Boating and Waterways and the California Coastal Commission.
The work group focused on the development of oil spill response notification procedures to improve communication capabilities between the Unified Command, counties’ emergency services offices and the harbor and marina operators.
The information packet is available under the Marinas and Yacht Club tab at: https://calspillwatch.dfg.ca.gov/