Class 3 Facilities (Small Tank Farms & Terminals)

The Class 3 category applies to small tank farms and terminals that transfer oil to non-recreational* vessels that have a fuel capacity of 10,500 gallons or more.

This definition does not include facilities that transfer to tank vessels and pipelines, as they are Class 1 facilities.

*Non-Recreational Vessel Description:
A non-recreational vessel is a vessel owned and operated for monetary gain. It also may be leased, rented or chartered to another and used for monetary gain. Some examples of non-recreational vessels are:

• Sightseeing or tour boats
• Passenger vessels
• Chartered fishing boats
• Boats used for parasailing
• Tug boats, etc.

This definition is based on the vessel’s use, not its size.

OIL TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS

The Washington Department of Ecology’s three oil transfer rules are designed to prevent spills when oil is transferred over water. Historically, bulk oil transfers have contributed to the majority of spills in state waters. In 2004, state lawmakers instructed Ecology to adopt a “zero spills” goal and these rules were written to complement that effort. The rules’ citations in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) are chapter 173-180 WAC for facilities, and chapters 173-184 and 317-40 WAC for vessels.

• All Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 facilities delivering oil in bulk to non-recreational vessels or pipelines must meet state facility oil transfer requirements in chapter 173-180 WAC.
• All vessels delivering oil in bulk to a non-recreational vessel or facility must meet state vessel oil transfer requirements in chapter 173-184 WAC and, if providing bunkers to covered vessels, also the requirements in chapter 317-40 WAC. Covered vessels are defined in RCW 88.46.010.