---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 2735"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "2735"
heading: "Equipment and personnel requirements under tank vessel and facility response plans"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/2735"
units:
  - "Chapter 40 — Oil Pollution"
  - "Subchapter II — Prince William Sound Provisions"
---

# §2735. Equipment and personnel requirements under tank vessel and facility response plans

- (a) **In general—** In addition to the requirements for response plans for [vessels](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37) established by [section 1321(j) of this title](/usc/33/1321.md?p=j), a response plan for a tanker loading cargo at a [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9) permitted under the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act ([43 U.S.C. 1651](/usc/43/1651.md) et seq.), and a response plan for such a [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), shall provide for—
  - (1) prepositioned [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill containment and removal equipment in communities and other strategic locations within the geographic boundaries of Prince William Sound, including escort [vessels](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37) with skimming capability; barges to receive recovered [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23); heavy duty sea boom, pumping, transferring, and lightering equipment; and other appropriate removal equipment for the protection of the environment, including fish hatcheries;
  - (2) the establishment of an [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) spill removal organization at appropriate locations in Prince William Sound, consisting of trained personnel in sufficient numbers to immediately remove, to the maximum extent practicable, a worst case [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) or a [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) of 200,000 [barrels](/usc/33/2701.md?p=2) of [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23), whichever is greater;
  - (3) training in [oil](/usc/33/2701.md?p=23) removal techniques for local residents and individuals engaged in the cultivation or production of fish or fish products in Prince William Sound;
  - (4) practice exercises not less than 2 times per year which test the capacity of the equipment and personnel required under this paragraph; and
  - (5) periodic testing and certification of equipment required under this paragraph, as required by the [Secretary](/usc/33/2701.md?p=33).
- (b) **Definitions—** In this section—
  - (1) the term “Prince William Sound” means all State and Federal waters within Prince William Sound, Alaska, including the approach to Hinchenbrook Entrance out to and encompassing Seal Rocks; and
  - (2) the term “worst case [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7)” means—
    - (A) in the case of a [vessel](/usc/33/2701.md?p=37), a [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) in adverse weather conditions of its entire cargo; and
    - (B) in the case of a [facility](/usc/33/2701.md?p=9), the largest foreseeable [discharge](/usc/33/2701.md?p=7) in adverse weather conditions.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–380, title V, § 5005, Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 553; Pub. L. 102–388, title III, § 354, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1555.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is title II of Pub. L. 93–153, Nov. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 584, which is classified generally to chapter 34 (§ 1651 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1651 of Title 43 and Tables.

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–388 substituted “tanker loading cargo at” for “tank vessel operating on Prince William Sound, or” and directed the insertion of “and a response plan for such a facility,” after “(43 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.).”, which was executed by making the insertion after “(43 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.),” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.