SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 21M, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition “ECIDIS” the following definition:-

“Escort”, to accompany, shadow, guard, protect and safeguard from harm.  An escort shall never be more than ¼ of a mile or 5 minutes away from a tank vessel.

Section 2:  Said section 1 of said chapter 21M, as so appearing, hereby amends the definition of ‘Rescue Tug’ by adding after the word ‘escort’ the following words:- “,as defined in this section,”. 

Section 3: Said section 1 of said chapter 21M, as so appearing, is herby amended by adding after the words “associated response gear” the following words:- “the primary purpose of which shall be to serve as an escort tug for unescorted tank vessels carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil and provide on the water monitoring of these tank vessels and have the ability to warn vessels of actual or potential threats to navigation and be available to assist immediately to the threat of an accident.  Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to mean that the primary function of a rescue tug is to respond only when requested by a distressed vessel. ”

Section 4:  Said section 1 of said chapter 21M, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the following definition: -

“Response time”, the amount of time required for a rescue tug to assist a tank vessel.”  Section 6:  Section 8(c) of said chapter 21M, as so appearing, is herby amended after the phrase “5 cents for each barrel of petroleum product” by adding the following:-

“as established by the General Court in this legislation.” 

Section 7:  Section 9(c) of said Chapter 21M, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the words “be available to” and inserting in place of the following words:- “escort every”.

Section 8: Said section 9(c) of said Chapter 21M, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the following words:- “The commissioner shall establish by regulation the maximum response times that rescue tugs shall maintain upon being dispatched.” 

Section 9: Section 9(f) of said Chapter 21M, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the following words:- “authorize longer response times and fewer state pilots if he determines that exigent circumstances exist.” and replacing them with the following words:- “not dispatch rescue tugs and state pilots if the department determines that exigent circumstances exist.” 

Section 10: Said section 9(f) of said Chapter 21M, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the phrase, “joint committee on the environment, natural resources and agriculture” the following words:- “as well as report in the Environmental Monitor”.   

Section 11: Section 9(g) of said Chapter 21M, as so appearing is hereby amended by
striking out the words: -  “maximum response times” and replacing it with the following words:- “the dispatching of rescue tugs”

SECTION 2.   This Act shall take effect upon its passage.