The final rule adjusts the limits of liability for vessels, deepwater ports, and onshore facilities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended, to reflect the increase in the Consumer Price Index since 2015. These regulatory inflation increases to the limits of liability are required by OPA 90 and are necessary to preserve the deterrent effect and “polluter pays” principle embodied in the Act.
Coast Guard, Arctic partners head to Norway for work group meeting on oil spill response, search and rescue in the Arctic

The working group, formed in 1991, is comprised of representatives from each of the Arctic Council nations: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the U.S. Their work focuses on matters related to marine environmental response and search and rescue in the Arctic marine environment.
Coast Guard presents public service award to long-time mariner advocate

Rear Adm. Steven Andersen, the Coast Guard’s Judge Advocate General and Chief Counsel, presented Mr. Douglas Stevenson with a Meritorious Public Service Award, to honor his outstanding contributions to the United States Coast Guard and to all the mariners who make their living at sea.
Recap of Center for Offshore Safety’s session with Coast Guard Eighth District Commander

Coast Guard Eighth District Commander Rear Adm. Paul Thomas joined Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Scott Angelle during this year’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, May 6-9. The session, moderated by Charlie Williams with Center for Offshore Safety, was part of COS’s Senior Regulatory Leadership Perspective series.
Maritime Sector Coordinating Council established
Sector Coordinating Councils are self-organized and self-governed councils that enable critical infrastructure owners and operators, their trade associations, and other industry representatives to interact on a wide range of sector specific strategies, polices, and activities.