組合員各位、
米国における油濁事故対応計画書（VRP)
- 2008年12月31日付救助及び海上火災活動に関わる最終規則の要求事項
- 準拠期限は2011年2月22日に
救助契約（Salvage Agreements）
本回覧は米国へ寄港する油輸送タンカー船主を対象にしています。
クラブ回覧
06/09で既にお知らせした通り、米国コーストガード（USCG）は油輸送タンカーに対し、救助及び海上消火活動に関する油濁事故対応計画書（VRP）の要件を改訂し、最終規則を発表しています。（33CFR part 155）この最終規則は2009年1月30日に施行されており、米国に寄港するタンカー船主は救助及び海上消火活動請負業者と契約を結び、当該船舶のVRPにこれを記載しなければならないと規定しています。現在VRPの保持を求められている船主及びオペレーターは2011年2月22日までに、救助及び海上消火活動に関する新しい要求事項を満たした計画書の改訂版を用意し、これを提出しなければなりません。この改訂計画書は2010年9月1日より提出することができます。 漏油清掃業者（OSRO）についてはUSCGが分類していましたが、今回は、船主あるいはオペレーターが、救助及び海上消火活動請負業者が15項目の評価基準において対応能力があるかを確実に査定すること、またその認証責任があることが重視されています。上記評価基準は、別紙 Annex 1に記載しています。船主やサルベージ会社が、最終規則に関して多くの質問を寄せているため、USCGはウェブサイトで「よくある質問(FAQs)」を随時更新しています。
「よくある質問(FAQs)」は下記アドレスにアクセスしていただき、次の手順で参照できます。
www.uscg.mil/vrp
- select ‘General’ under the heading Frequently Asked Questions
- select ‘**Salvage and Marine Firefighting Frequently Asked Questions** NEW’
- select PDF document: ‘SMFF FAQ’ (N.B. the latest version as at 18 August is July 09, 2010)
最終規則
この最終規則では新たに、要求された救助及び海上消火活動にかかる対応時間や要求事項、また救助及び海上消火活動請負業者を査定するための評価基準を規定しています。また、これら業者が最悪の事態も含めた事故対応に必要とされる資機材及び要員の十分な供給を確実にするよう規定しています。
船主は、業者が対応までにかかる時間について要件を満たせない場合、一時的にその免除を申し立てなければなりません。
契約および業務遂行に関する資金協定
協定は契約書(または、承認された他の手段)によって締結しなければなりません。契約書には、資機材提供者(サルベージ会社)が計画書の要求事項を満たす十分な対応能力と義務遂行意思があることを明白に規定しなければなりません。船主は、その契約書において、業務遂行資金について書面で合意することが義務づけられています。この資金協定（Funding Agreement）の目的は、事故発生時に、救助及び海上消火活動等の対応が、資金交渉のために遅れないことを確実にすることにあります。資金協定書には、協定の有効期間を明記し、VRPの承認を得るためUSCGに提出しなければなりません。USCGは、一定の条件を満たせば、ロイズ救助契約書式（LOF）を認めるとしています。（Annex2ご参照） 事実上、これはSCOPIC条項（Special Compensation P&I Clause）を付帯したロイズ救助契約書式を意味すると思われます。
本来この件は、P&I保険のてん補に係る事柄ではありませんが、国際グループ（IG）はこれら協定が一定基準に適合しているかを査定するためのガイドラインを作成しました。Annex3をご参照ください。このガイドラインは補償条項や、契約業者の業務管理、業者が業務遂行するための保険といった問題に関連した内容です。このガイドラインを作成するにあたり、IGのVRP作業委員会は、以下の4つの救助協定書を検討しました。
・ DonjonSmit - Version 7 June 2010
・ MRA - Marine Response Alliance, LLC Dated 2 August 2010
・ Resolve - Resolve Salvage & Fire (Americas), Inc. Dated 14 June 2010
・ T&T Bisso - OPA 90 Ship Agreement Non-US - 22 April 2010
・ T&T Bisso - OPA 90 Ship Agreement US Owners - 15 June 2010
上記協定はガイドラインに準拠することを確認しています。また関係サルベージ会社は、USCGが上記協定を検討した結果、「資金協定に関する要求事項」を満たすものであると述べたことを、VRP作業委員会に報告しており、既にコーストガードからそのような主旨の書簡を受領しています。
さらに、IGはこれらの協定の報酬料金を比較しました。 添付のAnnex4にある比較表は、単なる資料提供を目的としています。
協定書の内容は多種多様となると思われるので、この比較表は一例を示すだけに過ぎません。メンバーにおかれては、個々のサルベージ会社にそれぞれの報酬料金やサービス内容についてお問合わせください。
また、メンバーの皆様は、具体的にどの契約や資金協定を選択するかについて各船舶保険会社にご相談いただき、また配船を予定するアメリカ国内のどの地域においても、15項目の評価基準を満たし、資機材を提供できるのかどうかを当該サルベージ会社にお問合せいただくようお願いします。
IGの各P＆Iクラブは、同様の回覧を発行しています。
ＵＫ Ｐ＆Ｉ クラブ 日本支店
Annex 1
33 CFR part 155.4050 – Ensuring that the salvors and marine fire fighters are adequate.
15 criteria
a) You (plan holder) are responsible for determining the adequacy of the resource providers you intend to include in your plan.
b) When determining adequacy of the resource provider, you must select a resource provider that meets the following selection criteria to the maximum extent possible:
(1) Resource provider is currently working in response service needed.
(2) Resource provider has documented history of participation in successful salvage and/or marine firefighting operations, including equipment deployment.
(3) Resource provider owns or has contracts for equipment needed to perform response services.
(4) Resource provider has personnel with documented training certification and degree experience (Naval Architecture, Fire Science, etc).
(5) Resource provider has 24-hour availability of personnel and equipment, and history of response times compatible with the time requirements in the regulation.
(6) Resource provider has on-going continuous training program. For marine firefighting providers, they meet the training guidelines in NFPA 1001, 1005, 1021, 1405, and 1561 (Incorporation by reference, see § 155.140), show equivalent training, or demonstrate qualification through experience.
(7) Resource provider has successful record of participation in drills and exercises.
(8) Resource provider has salvage or marine firefighting plans used and approved during real incidents.
(9) Resource provider has membership in relevant national and/or international organisations.
(10) Resource provider has insurance that covers the salvage and/or marine firefighting services which they intend to provide.
(11) Resource provider has sufficient up front capital to support an operation.
(12) Resource provider has equipment and experience to work in the specific regional geographic environment(s) that the vessel operates in (e.g. bottom type, water turbidity, water depth, sea state and temperature extremes).
(13) Resource provider has the logistical and transportation support capability required to sustain operations for extended periods of time in arduous sea states and conditions.
(14) Resource provider has the capability to implement the necessary engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls to safeguard the health and safety of their workers when providing salvage and marine firefighting services.
(15) Resource provider has familiarity with the salvage and marine firefighting protocol contained in the local ACPs for each COTP area for which they are contracted.
c) A resource provider need not meet all of the selection criteria in order for you to choose them as a provider. The must, however, be selected on the basis of meeting the criteria to the maximum extent possible.
d) You must certify in your plan that these factors were considered when you chose your resource provider.
External firefighting teams means trained firefighting personnel, aside from the crew, with the capability of boarding and combating a fire on a vessel.
External vessel firefighting systems mean firefighting resources (personnel and equipment) that are capable of combating a fire from other than on board the vessel. These resources include, but are not limited to, fire tugs, portable fire pumps, airplanes, helicopters, or shore side fire trucks.
Resource provider means an entity that provides personnel, equipment, supplies and other capabilities necessary to perform salvage and/or marine firefighting services identified in the response plan, and has been arranged by contract or other approved means. The resource provider must be selected in accordance with § 155.4050. For marine firefighting services, resource providers can include public firefighting resources as long as they are able, in accordance with the requirements of § 155.4045(d), and willing to provide the services needed.
Annex 2
CONTRACTS AND FUNDING AGREEMENTS
SMFF Regulation: Frequently Asked Questions
Extract:
4. Can we use a Lloyd's Open Form in Lieu of a funding agreement?
A Lloyd's Standard Form of Salvage Agreement (LOF) alone does not meet the funding agreement definition because it does not contain agreed upon rates for specific equipment and services. The regulatory intent is to prevent any delay in response due to price or other contractual negotiations. The Coast Guard is willing to consider the LOF in lieu of a funding agreement under the following conditions:
1) The LOF is submitted with and identified in the entire agreement between the primary resource provider and the vessel owner or operator; and
2) The LOF is signed by both the primary resource provider and the vessel owner or operator at the time it is submitted with the contract or other approved means to the Coast Guard.
3) If the LOF is submitted as outlined above, the Coast Guard believes that the regulatory intent of preventing any delay in response due to contractual negotiations will be met and we should consider the submission as an acceptable alternative under the contract or other approved means definition contained in 33 CFR 155.4025.
5. What about using other standard salvage contracting forms?
The Coast Guard may consider other types of standard salvage contracting forms as an acceptable alternative under the contract or other approved means definition in lieu of a funding agreement if such forms are submitted in a manner similar to that which is described above for the LOF.
Annex 3
I
NTERNATIONAL GROUP GUIDELINES FOR INSERTION OF SALVOR CONTRACTS IN US VRPS (NOT WRECK REMOVAL)
1. Owner's Representative
The Owner shall have a right to appoint a representative to attend the salvage operation. This representative should be consulted where possible by the salvage master over the conduct of operations and should also sight time records on a daily basis. If there is disagreement over a particular action or charge, the owner's representative should issue a note of protest in order to preserve the record in case of future disputes.
2. Control
Whilst it is recognised that during a salvage operation, the salvage master will have overall control, the agreement should contain a provision requiring the salvors to consult owner or owner's representative during the operation. Similarly owner's representative should be permitted to offer advice to the salvage master/contractor's representative.
3. Funding
The Association will not provide advance funding guarantees.
If SCOPIC is applicable, then SCOPIC terms unamended. If the funding agreement is a simple time and materials this would be a matter for discussion with property underwriters, since P&I cover would not apply. The Owner may want to take the following into consideration:
(i) A fixed limit.
(ii) A fixed time limit for the services, i.e. the letter would guarantee expenses incurred in providing response services up to a fixed period of time as appropriate (e.g. seven days from the incident date) subject to extension by written agreement of the guarantor
(iii) A haul-off clause which provides for the guarantor's liability to be terminated upon 24 hours' notice.
4. Salvage remuneration
It should be made clear that the contractor and any sub-contractors are not entitled to salvage remuneration over and above that allowed for in the contract and that in the event that the shipowner becomes liable for such remuneration, the contractor will immediately indemnify them.
5. Indemnity
The clauses should be even-handed as regards the liabilities of the shipowner and the contractor and should be based on simple negligence rather than gross negligence. Thus the contractor should be liable for the negligent acts of himself and his employees, etc. and the shipowner should be liable for the negligent acts of the shipowner and his employees, etc. and losses which would not have arisen but for the nature of the spill.
6. Warranties
Agreement should contain warranties that the services and equipment are adequate/fit for the purpose for which it is hired; when contracting for services in the United States of America, the salvor fulfils the 15 criteria set out in 33 CFR 155.4050.
7. Insurance
Care should be taken to ensure that the contractor maintains insurance to respond to his liabilities for the services which he intends to provide.
8. Law and jurisdiction
England. In certain circumstances another jurisdiction may be appropriate
9. Disputed invoices
If the contractor inserts payment time limits in his contract, then a provision should be inserted that payment of 80 per cent is made within a certain time limit (approximately 30 days) and the balance when the dispute is settled.
10. Interest
If interest is charged on outstanding balances it is recommended that it is one or two percent above normal commercially available Bank lending rates.
11. Confidentiality
Some contracts contain a confidentiality provision. Any provision inserted should at least ensure that an owner can discuss the contract with his P&I insurer.
Annex 4: IG RATE COMPARISON & IG Rate Comparison TECHNICAL COMPARISON OF CONTRACT TERMS
