Alternative Planning Criteria
Nontank Vessels (Transit Only):
A Western Alaska Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) Captain of the Port (COTP) approval is required for all nontank vessels that will be transiting the Western Alaska COTP zone on the way to or from a United States port and/or when calling to a port located in Western Alaska. The Western Alaska COTP zone extends 200 NM from the Alaskan coastline. As of 30 June 2018, there are two USCG-approved Western Alaska APC providers: Alaska Chadux Network (formerly Alaska Maritime Prevention and Response Network (AMPRN or the NETWORK) and 1-Call Alaska. By enrolling vessels with a USCG-approved Western Alaskan APC provider (including the submission of required vessel details), nontank vessels can obtain Western Alaska COTP zone endorsement from the USCG.
The Western Alaska NT APCs of ACN and 1-Call Alaska are approved for non-tank vessels transiting and/or calling Alaskan ports located within the Aleutian Islands Subarea, Bristol Bay Subarea, and Kodiak Subarea. The following illustrates the 3 approved Subareas (the subarea extends 200 nm south of the Aleutians Islands and Kodiak Islands):
Both APC companies are also approved to cover vessels transiting outside of the previously mentioned subareas (Aleutians Islands Subarea, Bristol Bay Subareas, and Kodiak Island) or calling to an Alaskan port.
Each Western Alaska APC provider issues coverage certificates on a fleet basis, however, vessels must be added to the contract in order to be covered. Only the vessels that transit the Western Alaska or Prince William Sound Captain of the Port zones will be invoiced. For details concerning the pricing of each APC provider, and information on the GMS service fees, please contact Gallagher Marine Systems (info@gallaghermarine.com).
The validity of coverage, regardless of provider, extends for one full year from the date that the vessel first transits the region. The vessel can transit this region continuously throughout the year of coverage without additional charge.
In order to remain compliant under each Western Alaska APC, the vessels must also adhere to each of the respective providers’ APC operating procedures and guidance, and maintain additional compliance documentation on board while transiting the region. This documentation is provided at the time of enrollment.
The Alaska Chadux Network (ACN) NT APC is approved for the entire Western Alaska COTP zone. Enrollment fees for a vessel transiting are based on a total NTV BBL Capacity with a maximum fee of 4,800 USD per vessel, per year. Proof of enrollment with the ACN must be submitted to USCG Headquarters in order to obtain approval to transit the Western Alaska COTP zone. To remain compliant under the ACN APC, the Master must fully understand and adhere to the requirements found in the APC pertaining to the operating procedures (ACN NT APC Operating Procedures). Any deviation from the APC operating procedures requires notification to ACN and approval from the USCG Sector.
The 1-Call Alaska NT APC is also approved for the entire Western Alaska COTP zone. The 1-Call Alaska APC enrollment fees for a vessel transiting are based on a total NTV BBL Capacity with a maximum fee of 5,985 USD per vessel per year. Proof of enrollment with 1-Call Alaska must be submitted to USCG Headquarters in order to obtain approval to transit the Western Alaska COTP zone. To remain compliant under the 1-Call Alaska APC, the Master must fully understand and adhere to the requirements found in the APC pertaining to the operating procedures (1-Call Alaska NT APC Masters Guide). Any deviation from the APC operation procedures requires notification to 1-Call Alaska and approval from the USCG Sector.
As a reminder, nontank vessels calling Alaskan ports must have additional Alaska State contingency plan coverage and an Alaska COFR for compliance. Please contact us at info@gallaghermarine.com for more information.
Tank Vessels (Transit Only):
A Western Alaska Captain of the Port APC approval is required for all tank vessels that will transit the Western Alaska COTP zone on the way to or from a United States port. As of 01 January 2021, both Alaska Chadux Network and 1-Call Alaska can provide this coverage. Proof of enrollment with either company must be submitted to USCG Headquarters in order to obtain approval to transit in the Western Alaska COTP zone.
The ACN TV APC authorizes tank vessels to transit within the Western Alaska COTP zone outside of Cook Inlet. Recently, their APC was augmented to include authorization for the transit of the Prince William Sound COTP zone between 50 and 200 nm from the shoreline. The fees for transit are a flat rate of 12,300 USD for both areas, and the validity of coverage extends for one full year from the date that the vessel first enters the covered area.
To remain compliant under the ACN TV APC, the Master must fully understand and adhere to the requirements found in the APC pertaining to the operating procedures for Western Alaska (ACN TV APC Operating Procedures – WAK) and for Prince William Sound (ACN TV APC Operating Procedures – PWS) as applicable. Any deviation from the APC operation procedures requires notification to the ACN and approval from the appropriate USCG Sector.
The 1-Call Alaska TV APC authorizes tank vessels to transit within the Western Alaska COTP zone outside of Cook Inlet and below the 63rd parallel north. The fees are a flat rate of 12,485 USD, and the validity of coverage extends for one full year from the date that the vessel first enters the coverage area.
To remain compliant under the 1-Call Alaska TV APC, the Master must fully understand and adhere to the requirements found in the APC pertaining to the operating procedures (1-Call TV APC Masters Guide). Any deviation from the APC procedures requires notification to the ACN and approval from the USCG Sector.
For more information about enrolling your vessel, please contact Gallagher Marine Systems (info@gallaghermarine.com).
Tank Vessels and Nontank Vessels Trading to Alaska:
Please contact Gallagher Marine Systems at info@gallaghermarine.com if a vessel is scheduled to trade in the Western Alaska COTP zone to obtain further information.
GUAM PORT CALLS – Vessels calling in Guam/Saipan must enter into a contract with local OSRO provider OSROCO/T&T in order to meet National Planning Criteria (NPC). Even with the additional OSRO cover through OSROCO, some vessels are still unable to meet NPC. These vessels must be enrolled in Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) in order to address the gaps in oil spill response resources that exist in this remote area. Gallagher Marine Systems has an approved APC for Guam, and can enroll your vessel for full compliance as necessary.
To remain compliant under the GMS Core APCs, the Master must fully understand and adhere to the requirements found in the APC under the section titled Prevention and Mitigation Strategies. This document will be provided to you upon enrollment.
Some vessels, including most nontank vessels and tank vessels exclusively carrying Group I oils may not require additional APC coverage. For more information and assistance with compliance for Guam calls, please contact GMS at info@chgms.com.
AMERICAN SAMOA PORT CALLS – Vessels calling in American Samoa (Pago Pago) must be enrolled in Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) in order to address the gaps in oil spill response resources that exist in this remote area. In order to ensure vessels trading in the American Samoa region do so under strict guidelines for oil spill prevention, the USCG issued D14 Remote Zone APC requirements for American Samoa port calls. Under these guidelines, GMS has gained USCG approval for two separate Core APCs (tank and nontank) for vessels calling to American Samoa.
For vessels to be successfully enrolled under either of the GMS Core APCs, the USCG requires that the vessel enter into a contract with the local OSRO provider, Solar Environmental Services, Inc., in addition to having national OSRO coverage (through the National Response Corporation and/or Marine Spill Response Corporation). GMS can arrange the contract with Solar, enroll the vessel into the GMS Core APC, and gain USCG COTP Zone approval for American Samoa.
To remain compliant under the GMS Core APCs, the Master must fully understand and adhere to the requirements found in the APC under the section titled Prevention and Mitigation Strategies. This document will be provided to you upon enrollment. For more information and assistance enrolling your vessel in the GMS Core APC for American Samoa, please contact GMS at info@chgms.com.
HAWAII – While trading to Hawaii does not require an APC, all vessels calling to a Hawaiian port will need to take additional actions to remain in compliance. Presently, both the National Response Corporation and the Marine Spill Response Corporation are authorized to provide coverage for vessels in the Honolulu COTP Zone.
For more information and assistance in ensuring coverage for your vessels please contact GMS at info@chgms.com.