US Vessel Response Plans – Salvage and Marine Firefighting Requirements  Final Rule – 31 December 2008 (Deadline for implementation – 22 February 2011) 3 September 2010 No.10-010 This circular applies to owners of tank vessels carrying oil calling at US ports   1. Salvage agreements Members are referred to Circular No.09-002 dated 22 June 2010 titled "Vessel Response Plans (VRPs) - Conformity with International Group Guidelines & Other Recent Developments" in which attention was drawn to the US Coast Guard (USCG) Final Rule amending the Vessel Response Plan (VRP) Salvage and Marine Firefighting requirements for tank vessels carrying oil (33 CFR part 155). This final rule became effective on 30 January 2009 and states that owners of tank vessels calling at US ports must enter into agreements with salvage and marine firefighting services and list these in the VRPs for such vessels. Owners and operators who are required to have a VRP now have until 22 February 2011 to prepare and submit revised plans that comply with these new salvage and marine firefighting requirements. Such amended plans can be filed from 1 September 2010. It is emphasised that unlike the position with regard to Oil Spill Response Organisations which are classified by the USCG, it is the responsibility of the shipowner or operator to ensure that the salvor and firefighter have capability measured against 15 criteria, and to certify to this effect. The criteria are listed in Annex 2. Owners and salvors have raised a number of questions concerning the Final Rule. The USCG has published FAQs and these are updated from time to time.   2. Final Rule The Final Rule establishes new response times, requirements for each of the required salvage and marine firefighting services, establishes criteria for vetting salvage and marine firefighting service resource providers, and ensures that salvors and marine firefighters are adequate to provide the equipment and manpower needed for responding