California Maritime Safety Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

California’s maritime industry is calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 1122 into law, citing crucial safety and operational benefits for the state’s ports and mariners.

The bill, which passed almost unanimously in the state legislature, addresses concerns raised by the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Commercial Harbor Craft rule requiring the installation of DPFs on various vessels critical to California’s supply chain. These filters, while not commercially available for maritime engines, have been associated with fire risks in the trucking industry. The U.S. Coast Guard had previously expressed reservations about enforcing the CHC rule due to these safety concerns.

AB 1122 mandates that equipment like Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) on commercial vessels must include a bypass-safety system and be certified safe by third-party experts. It also allows vessel operators to install CARB-mandated equipment during scheduled inspections, minimizing service disruptions.

Opinion: Safeguarding California’s Mariners and Supply Chain

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) argues that while CARB recently issued an Executive Order requiring bypass-safety systems, it falls short of AB 1122’s comprehensive approach.

“The people of California’s maritime workforce, and the millions of Californians relying on safe and efficient port operations to keep the global supply chain moving, deserve the most effective approach to these challenges,” said Jennifer Carpenter, AWO’s President & CEO.

Labor unions also support the bill. Capt. Sly Hunter, Northern California regional representative for the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, a labor union for licensed mariners affiliated with the AFL-CIO, says the bill provides the necessary safety measures to keep mariners safe.

“The bill provides the necessary safety measures to keep our brothers and sisters safe at sea and it provides greater flexibility than the executive order because the bill language allows for engine upgrades to occur with fewer drydocking all while our supply chain keeps humming,” said Capt. Hunter.

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