Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

California Code, Government Code - GOV § 8670.20

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) For the purposes of this section, “vessel” means a vessel, as defined in Section 21 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, of 300 gross registered tons or more.

(b) Any party responsible for a vessel shall notify the Coast Guard within one hour of a disability if the disabled vessel is within 12 miles of the shore of this state. The administrator and the Office of Emergency Services shall request the Coast Guard to notify the Office of Emergency Services as soon as possible after the Coast Guard receives notice of a disabled vessel within 12 miles of the shore of this state. The administrator shall attempt to negotiate an agreement with the Coast Guard governing procedures for Coast Guard notification to the state regarding disabled vessels.

(c) Whenever the Office of Emergency Services receives notice of a disabled vessel, the office shall immediately notify the administrator. If the administrator receives notice from any other source regarding the presence of a disabled vessel within 12 miles of the shore of this state, the administrator shall immediately notify the Office of Emergency Services.

(d) For the purposes of this section, a vessel shall be considered disabled if any of the following occurs:

(1) Any accidental or intentional grounding that creates a hazard to the environment or the safety of the vessel.

(2) Loss of main propulsion or primary steering or any component or control system that causes a reduction in the maneuvering capabilities of the vessel. For the purposes of this paragraph, “loss” means that any system, component, part, subsystem, or control system does not perform the specified or required function.

(3) An occurrence materially and adversely affecting the vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for service, including, but not limited to, fire, flooding, or collision with another vessel.

(4) Any occurrence not meeting the above criteria, but that creates the serious possibility of an oil spill or an occurrence that may result in an oil spill.

(e) For the purposes of this section, a tank barge shall be considered disabled if any of the following occur:

(1) The towing mechanism becomes disabled.

(2) The tugboat towing the tank barge becomes disabled through occurrences specified in subdivision (d).

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - California Code, Government Code - GOV § 8670.20 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/government-code/gov-sect-8670-20/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard