In Arlington, VA, you will find the headquarters for the National Pollution Funds Center. This center is controlled by the United States Coast Guard and was created in order to address the transportation of oil within American waters. In addition to regulatory involvement, the center is also able to respond to spills at any point in the day with a variety of resources.
The Damage to Nature
As seen in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon fire and explosion, oil spills are extremely harmful to the environment. Oil spills affect marine birds, mammals, shellfish, and fish. It clogs the insulating ability of fur-bearing animals and weakens the water-repelling abilities of a bird’s feathers. When this happens, it exposes them to harsh environmental conditions that can lead to death. A trickle-down effect also carries negative consequences to the ecosystem.
The Damage to Companies
Those that work in the marine industry know the heavy regulations that are in place to prevent oceanic pollution. Any fuel or oil spill that leaves any sheen on the water has to be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard response center, and many states require local reporting as well. If your company, boat, or operations is found at fault for the spill, Federal law requires that your company bear the costs of cleanup. Since these cleanup costs can be financially devastating, fuel spill liability insurance is worth purchasing.