QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR RESPONSE ACTIONS.

(a) No action taken by any person or discharge cleanup organization to abate, contain, or remove pollution from an unauthorized discharge of oil, whether such action is taken voluntarily, or pursuant to the national contingency plan, or pursuant to a discharge response plan required under this chapter, or pursuant to the request of an authorized federal or state official, or pursuant to the request of the responsible person, shall be construed as an admission of responsibility or liability for the discharge.

(b) No person or discharge cleanup organization that voluntarily, or pursuant to the national contingency plan, or pursuant to any discharge response plan required under this chapter, or pursuant to the request of an authorized federal or state official, or pursuant to the request of the responsible person, renders assistance or advice in abating, containing, or removing pollution from an unauthorized discharge of oil is liable for response costs, damages, or civil penalties resulting from acts or omissions committed in rendering such assistance or advice, except for acts or omissions of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.