2006 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year Citation

The Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region

The Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region is hereby recognized as the 2006 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year for significantly improving marine safety in the San Francisco Bay maritime area. In 2006 the Committee responded to a number of critical issues through close cooperation with various stakeholder groups. In response to a “near miss” encounter of commuter ferries, the Ferry Operations Work Group called for meetings to be attended by the Coast Guard, four Bay Area ferry operators, and their employees to study high-speed ferry transits, safe approaches, and berthing procedures. Through the efforts of committee members, a ferry routing model and simulation identified specific risk areas, leading to identification and modification of current and future ferry routes. The National Oceanic and atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was included on the team and agreed to show these on nautical charts.

As a result of an oil spill caused when a container lashing cone hit the deck of an oil barge during bunkering, as well as other instances of containers and lashing gear falling from vessel decks and narrowly missing barge crews, the Prevention Through People Work Group convened several meetings with concerned industry and government representatives. The group determined that inadequate communications between the container vessel crew, dock personnel, bunkering barge crew, and office personnel were the principal cause of frequent near misses. With the cooperation of all stakeholders, a Bunker Barge Safety Program was established which included a Tankerman Check-off Sheet, a Bunker Delivery Notice, a Program for Agents, and Sample Crane Letters. These resources were made available online and on CD for use in the San Francisco Bay Region and other West Coast ports.

The local Physical Ocean Real-Time System (PORTS), which provides real-time tide and current data every 6 minutes, was almost shut down because of funding constraints. The PORTS Work Group obtained last-minute state funding and initiated an in-depth review of how the system could be more responsive to its various users. PORTS is vital to safe passage on San Francisco Bay with its strong currents, microclimates, and frequent fog. PORTS is now redeployed with new sensors, and an easy-to-use communications system. The Committee has taken a leadership role in seeking state funding to create a PORTS system for California’s five harbors.

The Navigation Work Group intervened with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), obtaining agreement for a safety override clause to state regulations regarding the required switch to low-sulphur fuel oil on shipboard diesel–electric auxiliary engines. As a result, these regulations did not jeopardize safety, and CARB agreed to use the Work Group as a “sounding board” for future state regulations. The exceptional actions and distinguished service of the Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region reflect the strong support and teamwork of both government and industry. The Committee’s efforts are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of maritime service and industry.