Incident Notification Requirements for WSMC Members

Dear WSMC Members,

This is an important reminder of your obligation, as participants in the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC), to promptly notify WSMC in the event of any vessel emergency or incident that could result in a discharge—or substantial threat of discharge—of oil within Washington State waters.

Your Notification Obligation

Under the terms of your executed WSMC Enrollment Agreement (Sections 5.1.5 and 5.1.6), all covered vessels must follow the notification procedures outlined in the WSMC Field Document and Notification Placard. These documents are required to be onboard each covered vessel.

In the event of a spill or threatened spill, the vessel owner/operator must notify the following within one hour of the incident:

• Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD): 1-800-258-5990
• WSMC Emergency Contact: (206) 448-7557 or admin@wsmcoop.org

WSMC can notify WEMD on your behalf—but only if we are informed immediately.

Triggering Events – When to Notify

According to the Washington Department of Ecology (Publication 16-08-008), you must report even if no oil is spilled.

Reportable incidents include:

• Loss or reduction of propulsion or steering
• Vessel grounding or collision
• Fire or flooding onboard
• Structural failure or instability
• Deployment of the Emergency Response Towing Vessel (ERTV)
• Any condition causing the vessel to be adrift or require assistance to navigate safely
 

Why It Matters

Failure to notify WSMC promptly:

• Delays activation of your approved contingency plan
• Jeopardizes your compliance with Washington State regulations
• Increases the risk to the environment and your legal standing
 
In addition to operational and environmental risks, failure to report may result in significant financial penalties:

• Washington State penalties: Up to $10,000 per day for each violation
• Federal penalties: Up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations, and up to 5 years of
imprisonment for failure to notify the National Response Center

Prompt reporting ensures a rapid, coordinated response and helps protect your compliance status, your crew, and Washington’s marine environment.
 
Download the latest Field Document and Notification Placard, or if you have questions about your reporting responsibilities, please contact us:

📞 (206) 495-3805 | 📧 dansmiley@wsmcoop.org
📧admin@wsmcoop.org

Sincerely,

Dan Smiley
Executive Director
Washington State Maritime Cooperative
www.wsmcoop.org