(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the liability of any person under section 128D-6 for any release of heavy fuel oil from a tank barge carrying heavy fuel oil interisland shall not exceed $700,000,000.
(b) For the purposes of subsection (a):
"Heavy fuel oil" includes petroleum that is no. 6 technical grades of fuel oil and other grades such as navy special fuel oil and bunker C.
"Release of heavy fuel oil" means a release subject to the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
"Tank barge" means any vessel that carries oil in bulk as cargo or in residue and is not equipped with a means of self propulsion.