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Fact Sheet: Buzzards Bay Vessel Notification & State-Provided Tugboat Escort Services

This fact sheet has been prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regarding changes in state laws and regulations (MGL Chapter 21M, s9 and 314 CMR 19.00) governing vessel notifications, the use of state pilots and provisions requiring the dispatch of state-provided tugboat escort services for double-hulled tank vessels carrying 6000 barrels or more of oil in Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Canal.

24- Hour Notification Provision

  • An owner or operator of a tank vessel, single-hulled or double-hulled, carrying 6,000 barrels or more of oil as cargo may provide 24-hour advance notice to MassDEP of its intent to operate the vessel in Buzzards Bay (Southern boundary - the Buzzards Bay buoy at 41o 23.8 N, 71o 02.0 W; Northern Boundary - the Cape Cod Canal buoy at 41o 48.9 N; 70o 27.7 W). 
  • Notification is made by calling the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at (888) 304-1133.  The MEMA telephone operator will request information including: the name and number of caller; name and contact information for vessel owner or operator; name and type of vessel; type and quantity of cargo; vessel hull construction; vessel location; port of origination and destination; estimated arrival time into Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Canal. 
  • The MEMA telephone operator will record notification information on a form filed with MassDEP and will provide the caller with a confirmation number.  
  • This notification is voluntary.

State Pilot Dispatch Program

  • For more information on the State Pilot Dispatch program please refer to the Buzzards Bay Vessel Notification & State-Funded Marine Pilot Program Fact Sheet at http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/oilsprep.htm#fct 
  • Please refer also to 314 CMR 19.05.

State-Provided Tugboat Escort Services 

  • On or about March 29, 2010 MassDEP will dispatch a state-provided tugboat escort to double-hulled tank vessels carrying 6000 barrels or more of oil as cargo while operating in Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Canal except where otherwise required to be accompanied by a tugboat escort.
  • The Commonwealth will dispatch the state-provided tugboat escort at no cost to the tank vessel provided that the tank vessel is carrying over 6,000 barrels of oil, is double-hulled construction and is not otherwise required to be accompanied by a tugboat escort. 

Assessment of Triple Fines

  • Single-hulled vessels: 
    • Whoever owns or operates a single-hulled tank vessel carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil within Buzzards Bay, from which oil is spilled into Buzzards Bay, is subject to triple the fines assessed pursuant to MGL Chapter 21L if such person:
    • Fails to provide 24-hour notification, as described above; or
    • Violates any provision of MGL Chapter 21L.
  • Double-hulled vessels:
    • Whoever owns or operates a double-hulled tank vessel carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil within Buzzards Bay, from which oil is spilled into Buzzards Bay, is subject to triple the fines assessed pursuant to MGL Chapter 21L if such person:
    • Fails to provide 24-hour notification and to request a state pilot, as described above; or
    • Violates any provision of MGL Chapter 21L.


For Questions concerning the State-Provided Tugboat Escort Services call
(508) 946-2856 or email richard.packard@state.ma.us