Background
4 Several thousand ships operate in the ocean and coastal waters off California every year. Freighters and cargo ships, tugs and barges, tankers, container ships, fishing and recreational vessels all regularly navigate the waters between the TSSs off San Francisco and Santa Barbara. Many of these ships contain large amounts of bunker fuel or carry HAZMAT cargo that pose a significant risk to the environment in the event of a spill. Although a vast majority of crude oil tankers now voluntarily stay a minimum distance of 50 nautical miles from shore except when entering and leaving area ports, the congestion of traffic nearer shore has risen over the past several years and is expected to continue to increase in the future. For example, the number of recreational vessels alone increased by approximately 20% during the period of 1985-1993.
5 Commercial ships of 300 gross tonnage and above traveling off the California coast generally operate on scheduled runs and quickly transit through areas which are frequently used by other slower moving vessels, particularly fishing and recreational vessels. These commercial ships travel at speeds of 1025 knots and generally navigate through waters approximately 2.5-15 nautical miles from shore. Some northbound ships, however, navigate as close as 1.5 nautical miles from Pigeon Point. The current practice for these commercial ships takes them through fishing grounds, which are mostly found within 10 nautical miles from the shore. As a result, the slower moving fishing and recreational vessels are presently in the traffic flow of these larger, commercial ships.
6 "HAZMAT ships" is a generic term used to describe those ships carrying hazardous materials in bulk, including explosives/munitions, ore concentrates, chemicals, liquefied gases, refined products, distillates or other nonpersistent cargo. HAZMAT ships comprise a small percentage of the total ships navigating through this area, but nevertheless present a substantial environmental and safety risk in the event of a spill. They generally travel at speeds of 10-15 knots and transit through the waters 25-35 nautical miles or more from the shore.
7 Crude oil tankers comprise approximately 20% of the vessels transiting the waters off the California coast. More than 90% of these tankers voluntarily remain 50-100 nautical miles offshore, except when entering and leaving area ports.
8 The IMO has approved and the United States is implementing TSSs, whilst it is in the process of implementing the amendments to those schemes, off San Francisco and Santa Barbara, California. The IMO-approved TSSs, and amendments thereto, formed an integral part in arriving at this proposal.
9 The natural conditions off the California coastline can make navigation difficult and hazardous. The rocky coastline, winds, currents, fog, and other weather conditions can adversely impact navigation through this area. These conditions also affect the ability of tugs to rescue or assist ships in distress. These concerns, ensuring a safe flow of ship traffic, and the facilitation of emergency response activities to savelives, ships, cargo and the marine environment led to the development of this proposal.
10 The environmental sensitivity of waters off the California coast is very important to consider in organizing the safe flow of traffic and to minimize the risk of collisions and groundings. This area was designated a national marine sanctuary because of its national and international significance for biodiversity. It is one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world. This highly productive ecosystem supports several hundred species, including some 50 species which are afforded special status on various recognized lists. Feeding grounds for a high concentraion of whales in the area are found 5- 10 nautical miles from shore. The entire population of grey whales biannually transit through the area as close as 2 miles from shore. The California sea otter population is generally found in the kelp beds and other habitat near the shore. Elkhorn Slough is one of the largest wetlands in California and is a key nursery ground for fisheries. This area also supports some of the highest densities of seabirds in the world many of which travel seasonally from as far as New Zealand and the Arctic.
