Member circulars

As stated in Circular 13/2013 every tank vessel and every other vessel over 300 gt is required under State law to file a contingency plan prior to entry into the waters of Washington State and that instead of filing his own plan an owner can subscribe to an umbrella oil spill contingency plan. 

The second issuance of the US VGP, the first issuance of which entered into force on 19 December 2008, will become effective on 19 December 2013 for a period of five years and will supersede the first VGP.

International Group (IG) Clubs will not be continuing the retainer agreements with MSRC and NRC, originally introduced to enable non-tank owners trading to California to comply with California State law contingency plan requirements and that in future, therefore, non-tank vessel owners will need to contract with either MSRC or NRC directly. 

Vessel response plan requirements for both tank and non-tank vessel trading to the United States.

Every tank vessel and every other vessel over 300 gt is required to file a contingency plan prior to entry into the waters of Washington State.

The consolidated contingency reserves, which provide security and stability for the joint membership, stood at USD 909 million; policy year 2010 is closed with no further calls being levied; no further Deferred Calls or Supplementary Calls are expected for the 2011 and 2012 policy years, and a general increase of 5 per cent in the Advance Calls for mutual P&I entries and 10 per cent for mutual FD&D entries for the 2014 policy year.

Members were previously advised that non-tank vessel owners are required to submit Vessel Response Plans (VRPs) to the Coast Guard by 30 January 2014 and are required to pre-contract with Qualified Individuals (QIs), Oil Spill Response Organisations (OSROs), Dispersant service providers and salvors.  This circular addresses the requirements for contracts with salvors. 

The Final Rule addressing Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans has been published in the Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 189, dated Monday 30th September 2013. Non-tank vessel owners are required to submit their Vessel Response Plan to the Coast Guard by 30th January 2014.

Following the Annual General Meeting of Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd on 28 August, 2013 there are some changes to the Board of Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd and the Election Committee.

Members have previously been informed of the impact of the recent developments in relation to EU and US Iran sanctions through FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) prepared by the International Group. This circular highlights some of the recent restrictive measures.

The imminent entry into force of the MLC has brought the Convention and its requirements on shipowners into focus and in particular the financial security requirements established in the Convention.

The Maritime Labour Convention will enter into force internationally on 20 August 2013.

Before operating in Californian waters, tank and non-tank vessels are required to submit their certificate of entry at least ten calendar days prior to operating or entering these waters, in order to apply for a Californian COFR. This requirement supersedes the requirement to submit the CoE at least three working days prior to entering CA waters.

The International Group recommended charterparty clause in respect of Australian legislation covering penalties for pollution from ships and damage to the Marine environment has been updated.

Gard P&I Member circular No. 18/2013 sets out the reinsurance arrangements as applicable to the entries for the 2013 policy year.

This circular outlines amendments to the Rules for Ships and the Rules for Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs) of both Assuranceforeningen Gard - gjensidig - and Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd, which will enter into force at noon GMT on 20 February 2013.