Cal. Government Code § 8670.34

This article shall not apply to any tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo that enters waters of the state because of imminent danger to the lives of crew members or if entering waters of the state will substantially aid in preventing an oil spill or other harm to public safety or the environment, if the operators of the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo comply with all of the following: (a) The operators or crew of the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo comply at all times with all orders and directions given by the administrator, or his or her designee, while the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo is in waters of the state, unless the orders or directions are contradicted by orders or directions of the Coast Guard. (b) Except for fuel, oil may be transferred to or from the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo while it is in waters of the state only if permission is obtained for the transfer of oil and one of the following conditions is met: (1) The transfer is necessary for the safety of the crew. (2) The transfer is necessary to prevent harm to public safety or the environment. (3) An oil spill contingency plan is approved or made applicable to the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo, under subdivision (c). (c) The tank vessel, nontank vessel, or vessel carrying oil as a secondary cargo shall leave the waters of the state as soon as it may do so without imminent risk of harm to the crew, public safety, or the environment, unless an oil spill contingency plan is approved or made applicable to it under this article.