Cal. HNC § 135 — California Code / Code hnc / Division 1.5 / Chapter 3 / Section 135
Section 135
Status: in_force

(a) It is unlawful to cause or permit any petroleum, chemical, or other hazardous substance to be transferred between a vessel and a shore facility or another vessel by means of a pipeline or similar conduit unless the flow is continuously monitored by a properly installed, operated, and maintained mechanism that will warn of the imminent occurrence of an overflow of the substance being transferred so that the flow can be terminated in time to avert the overflow, and unless the vessel and the shore facility are each equipped with a properly installed, operated, and maintained mechanism that will warn whenever any person is no longer properly discharging his duties in connection with the transfer, is inattentive, or becomes disabled for any reason. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. However, it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of this section if the mechanism was properly installed and was at all times properly operated and maintained by the person responsible for the mechanism.

(b) A vessel subject to Part 35 of Title 46, or to Parts 155 and 156 of Title 33, of the Code of Federal Regulations, or a shore facility subject to Parts 154 and 156 of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations, satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a) if such vessel or shore facility formulates and establishes methods or operating procedures which are designed to satisfy such requirements and which are in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations. However, such methods and procedures shall require that the persons in charge of a transfer operation communicate with each other as frequently as is necessary to warn whenever any person is no longer properly discharging his duties in connection with the transfer, is inattentive, or becomes disabled for any reason.

(c) This section does not apply to any transfer of fuel to any self-propelled vessel of less than 65 feet in length at any facility equipped with dispensing nozzles of the automatic shut-off type that do not have catch-locks and meet all federal standards.

(d) This section does not apply to any on-shore receiving tankage if appropriate containment or diversionary structures, or both, or other equipment that is adequate to prevent the overflowed substance from reaching the waters of the state is provided.

(e) This section shall become operative with respect to a tank vessel that is subject to examination by the United States Coast Guard not later than the first occasion on or after January 1, 1980, that it is required to be drydocked or hauled out for such examination, as provided in Section 31.10-20 of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This section shall become operative on July 1, 1980, with respect to any vessel that is not subject to any such examination; any tank barge, regardless of whether it is subject to such an examination; and any shore facility not made exempt by subdivision (d).

(f) As used in this section, “vessel” means every description of watercraft or other contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation through or on water, including, but not limited to, a barge.

(g) As used in this section, “hazardous substance” means any such substance defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 1321 of Title 33 of the United States Code.