(a) Each operator of a marine facility shall prepare an operations manual describing equipment and procedures which the operator employs or will employ to protect public health and safety, and the environment and to prevent oil spills. The operations manual shall also describe equipment and procedures required for all vessels to or from which oil is transferred through use of the marine facility. The operations manual shall be submitted for approval to the commission.

(b) Every existing operator shall submit a manual within one year after the commission has adopted a program of rules, regulations, and guidelines as specified in this section.

(c) The commission shall approve the operations manual if the manual meets the governing rules, regulations, and guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision (b). The commission shall deny approval of the operations manual if the commission finds the operations manual is not consistent with the rules, regulations, and guidelines. If the commission denies approval, it shall provide written reasons for its decision. The operator shall, within 90 days, submit a new manual responding to the reason for refusal and incorporating any suggested modifications.

(d) The operations manual shall be updated as necessary pursuant to the findings in the hazards and operability study or as when facility operations or technology change.

(e) The commission may require modification of the operations manual of any operator within its jurisdiction if the commission finds that the manual is no longer consistent with the rules, regulations, and guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision (b).

(f) Once an operator’s operations manual has been approved, all equipment and operations of the operator’s marine facility shall be maintained or be carried out in accordance with the operations manual.

(g) All vessels docked at any marine facility in the state shall comply with the terms of the operations manual of the marine facility.

(h) The commission shall report to the administrator each marine facility whose operations manual is denied after the second submission. Failure to gain approval after the second submission may be determined by the administrator to be a violation of Chapter 7.4 (commencing with Section 8670.1) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The administrator shall take any action he or she determines to be necessary.

(i) This section does not apply to pipelines that are used exclusively to transport petroleum products and are subject to the jurisdiction of the State Fire Marshal under either state or federal law.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1248, Sec. 19. Effective September 24, 1990.)