15 Criteria for Salvor Qualifications

How to assure your salvage and marine fire fighting contractor is adequate?

According to the 33 CFR §155.4050 FEDERAL REGISTER of the United States, SALVAGE & MARINE FIREFIGHTING CONTRACTORS must meet 15 criteria in order to qualify as an OPA 90 responder:

1. Resource provider is currently providing the service needed.

2. Resource provider has documented history of participation in successful salvage and or marine firefighting operations, including equipment deployed.

3. Resource provider owns or has contracts for equipment needed to perform response services.

4. Resource provider has personnel with documented training certification and degree experience (naval architecture, fire sciences, etc).

5. Resource provider has 24-hour availability of personnel and equipment and history of response times compatible with the time requirements in the regulation.

6. Resource provider has on-going continuous training program. For marine firefighting they must meet the NFPA standards or show equivalent training or experience.

7. Resource provider has successful record of participation in drills and exercises.

8. Resource provider has salvage or marine firefighting plans used and approved during real incidents.

9. Resource provider has membership in relevant national and international organizations.

10. Resource provider has insurance that covers the salvage and/or marine firefighting services that they intend to provide.

11. Resource provider has sufficient up-front capital to support an operation.

12. Resource provider has equipment and experience to work in the specific regional geographic environments(s) the vessels operate in (depth, turbidity, current, bottom type, temperature, zero visibility diving).

13. Resource provider has the logistical and transportation support capability required to sustain operations for extended periods of time.

14. Resource provider has the capability to implement engineering, administrative and personal protective controls to safeguard workers.

15. Resource provider has familiarity with the salvage and firefighting protocol contained in the local Area Contingency Plans.