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Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters

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PART 151—VESSELS CARRYING OIL, NOXIOUS LIQUID SUBSTANCES, GARBAGE, 

MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL WASTE, AND BALLAST WATER 

Section Contents

Subpart A—Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental 

Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships

General

§ 151.01 Purpose.

§ 151.03 Applicability.

§ 151.04 Penalties for violation.

§ 151.05 Definitions.

§ 151.06 Special areas.

§ 151.07 Delegations.

§ 151.08 Denial of entry.

Oil Pollution

§ 151.09 Applicability.

§ 151.10 Control of oil discharges.

§ 151.11 Exceptions for emergencies.

§ 151.13 Special areas for Annex I of MARPOL 73/78.

§ 151.15 Reporting requirements.

§ 151.17 Surveys.

§ 151.19 International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificates.

§ 151.21 Ships of countries not party to MARPOL 73/78.

§ 151.23 Inspection for compliance and enforcement.

§ 151.25 Oil Record Book.

§ 151.26 Shipboard oil pollution emergency plans.

§ 151.27 Plan submission and approval.

§ 151.28 Plan review and revision.

§ 151.29 Foreign ships.

Noxious Liquid Substance Pollution

§ 151.30 Applicability.

§ 151.31 Where to find requirements applying to oceangoing ships carrying Category A, B, 

C, and D NLS.

§ 151.32 Special areas for the purpose of Annex II.

§ 151.33 Certificates needed to carry Category C Oil-like NLS.

§ 151.35 Certificates needed to carry Category D NLS and Category D Oil-like NLS.

§ 151.37 Obtaining an Attachment for NLSs to the IOPP Certificate and obtaining an NLS 

Certificate.

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§ 151.39 Operating requirements: Category D NLS.

§ 151.41 Operating requirements for oceangoing ships with IOPP Certificates: Category C 

and D Oil-like NLSs.

§ 151.43 Control of discharge of NLS residues.

§ 151.47 Category D NLSs other than oil-like Category D NLSs that may be carried under 

this part.

§ 151.49 Category C and D Oil-like NLSs allowed for carriage.

Garbage Pollution and Sewage

§ 151.51 Applicability.

§ 151.53 Special areas for Annex V of MARPOL 73/78.

§ 151.55 Recordkeeping requirements.

§ 151.57 Waste management plans.

§ 151.59 Placards.

§ 151.61 Inspection for compliance and enforcement.

§ 151.63 Shipboard control of garbage.

§ 151.65 Reporting requirements.

§ 151.66 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage in the Great Lakes and other 

navigable waters.

§ 151.67 Operating requirements: Discharge of plastic prohibited.

§ 151.69 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

§ 151.71 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas.

§ 151.73 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms.

§ 151.75 Grinders or comminuters.

§ 151.77 Exceptions for emergencies.

Appendix A to §§151.51 through 151.77—Summary of Garbage Discharge Restrictions

§ 151.79 Operating requirements: Discharge of sewage within Antarctica.

Subpart B—Transportation of Municipal and Commercial Waste

§ 151.1000 Purpose.

§ 151.1003 Applicability.

§ 151.1006 Definitions.

§ 151.1009 Transportation of municipal or commercial waste.

§ 151.1012 Applying for a conditional permit.

§ 151.1015 Issuing or denying the issuance of a conditional permit.

§ 151.1018 Withdrawal of a conditional permit.

§ 151.1021 Appeals.

§ 151.1024 Display of number.

Subpart C—Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species in the 

Great Lakes and Hudson River

§ 151.1500 Purpose.

§ 151.1502 Applicability.

§ 151.1504 Definitions.

§ 151.1506 Restriction of operation.

§ 151.1508 Revocation of clearance.

§ 151.1510 Ballast water management.

§ 151.1512 Vessel safety.

§ 151.1514 Ballast water management alternatives under extraordinary conditions.

§ 151.1516 Compliance monitoring.

§ 151.1518 Penalties for failure to conduct ballast water management.

Subpart D—Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species in Waters 

of the United States

§ 151.2000 What is the purpose of this subpart?

§ 151.2005 To which vessels does this subpart apply?

§ 151.2007 What are the penalties for violations of the mandatory provisions of this subpart?

§ 151.2010 Which vessels are exempt from the mandatory requirements?

§ 151.2015 Is a vessel in innocent passage exempt from the mandatory requirements?

§ 151.2025 What definitions apply to this subpart?

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§ 151.2030 Who is responsible for determining when to use the safety exemption?

§ 151.2035 What are the required ballast water management practices for my vessel?

§ 151.2036 If my voyage does not take me into waters 200 nautical miles or greater from 

any shore, must I divert to conduct a ballast water exchange?

§ 151.2037 If my vessel cannot conduct ballast water management practices because of its 

voyage and/or safety concerns, will I be prohibited from discharging ballast water?

§ 151.2040 What are the mandatory ballast water management requirements for vessels 

equipped with ballast tanks that operate in the waters of the United States and are bound for 

ports or places in the United States?

§ 151.2041 What are the mandatory ballast water reporting requirements for all vessels 

equipped with ballast tanks bound for ports or places of the United States?

§ 151.2043 Equivalent Reporting Methods for vessels other than those entering the Great 

Lakes or Hudson River after operating outside the EEZ or Canadian equivalent.

§ 151.2045 What are the mandatory recordkeeping requirements for vessels equipped with 

ballast tanks that are bound for a port or place in the United States?

§ 151.2050 What methods are used to monitor compliance with this subpart?

§ 151.2055 Where are the alternate exchange zones located? [Reserved]

§ 151.2060 What must each application for approval of an alternative compliance technology 

contain? [Reserved]

§ 151.2065 What is the standard of adequate compliance determined by the ANSTF for this 

subpart? [Reserved]

Appendix to Subpart D of Part 151—Ballast Water Reporting Form and Instructions for Ballast 

Water Reporting Form

Subpart E—Definition of Marine Debris for the Purposes of the Marine Debris Research, 

Prevention, and Reduction Act

§ 151.3000 Definition of marine debris for the purposes of the Marine Debris Research, 

Prevention, and Reduction Act.

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321, 1902, 1903, 1908; 46 U.S.C. 6101; Pub. L. 104–227 (110 Stat. 

3034); Pub. L. 108–293 (118 Stat. 1063), §623; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp. p. 351; DHS 

Delegation No. 0170.1, sec. 2(77). 

Subpart A—Implementation of MARPOL 73/78 and the Protocol on Environmental 

Protection to the Antarctic Treaty as it Pertains to Pollution from Ships 

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Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321, 1903, 1908; 46 U.S.C. 6101; Pub. L. 104–227 (110 Stat. 3034); 

E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp. p. 351; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 

170.1. 

Source: CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, unless otherwise noted. 

General 

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§ 151.01 Purpose. 

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The purpose of this subpart is to implement the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, 1980, as amended 

(33 U.S.C. 1901–1911) and Annexes I, II and V of the International Convention for the Prevention of 

Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78), done 

at London on February 17, 1978. This subpart also implements the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and 

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Conservation Act of 1996, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty done at 

Madrid on October 4, 1991. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18403, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; 

CGD 97–015, 62 FR 18045, Apr. 14, 1997; USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55570, Nov. 2, 2001] 

§ 151.03 Applicability. 

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This subpart applies to each ship that must comply with Annex I, II or V of MARPOL 73/78 unless 

otherwise indicated. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18403, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; 

CGD 97–015, 62 FR 18045, Apr. 14, 1997] 

§ 151.04 Penalties for violation. 

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(a) A person who violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable for a civil 

penalty for each violation, as provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(1). Each day of a continuing violation 

constitutes a separate violation. 

(b) A person who makes a false, fictitious statement or fraudulent representation in any matter in which a 

statement or representation is required to be made to the Coast Guard under MARPOL 73/78, the Act, 

or the regulations of this subpart, is liable for a civil penalty for each statement or representation, as 

provided by 33 U.S.C. 1908(b)(2). 

(c) A person who knowingly violates MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart commits 

a class D felony, as described in 18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq. In the discretion of the Court, an amount equal 

to not more than one-half of the fine may be paid to the person giving information leading to conviction. 

(d) A ship operated in violation of MARPOL 73/78, the Act, or the regulations of this subpart is liable in 

rem for any civil penalty covered by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, or any fine covered by 

paragraph (c) of this section, and may be proceeded against in the United States District Court of any 

district in which the ship may be found. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18403, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; 

CGD 92–007, 57 FR 33261, July 27, 1992; CGD 96–052, 62 FR 16703, Apr. 8, 1997; USCG–1999–

5832, 64 FR 34714, June 29, 1999] 

§ 151.05 Definitions. 

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As used in this subpart— 

Act means the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1901–1911). 

Antarctica means the area south of 60 degrees south latitude. 

Cargo associated wastes means all materials which have become wastes as a result of use on board a 

ship for cargo stowage and handling. Cargo associated wastes include, but are not limited to dunnage, 

shoring, pallets, lining and packing materials, plywood, paper, cardboard, wire, and steel strapping. 

Clean ballast means the ballast in a tank which, since oil was last carried therein, has been so cleaned 

that effluent therefrom, if it were discharged from a ship that is stationary into clean calm water on a 

clear day would not produce visible traces of oil on the surface of the water or adjoining shorelines or 

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cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface of the water or upon adjoining 

shorelines. If the ballast is discharged through an oil discharge monitoring and control system approved 

by the government of the country under whose authority the ship is operating, evidence based on such a 

system, to the effect that the oil content of the effluent does not exceed 15 parts per million (ppm) is 

determinative that the ballast is clean. 

Commandant means Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard. 

Discharge means any release, however caused, from a ship and includes any escape, disposal, spilling, 

leaking, pumping, emitting or emptying. It does not include— 

(1) Dumping within the meaning of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of 

Wastes and Other Matter, done at London on 13 November 1972; or 

(2) Release of oil or oily mixtures directly arising from the exploration, exploitation and associated offshore processing of sea-bed mineral resources. 

Discharge, as defined by MARPOL 73/78 in relation to harmful substances or effluent containing such 

substances, means any release however caused from a ship, and includes any escape, disposal, 

spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting or emptying. It does not include— 

(1) Dumping within the meaning of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of 

Wastes and Other Matter, done at London on November 13, 1972; or 

(2) The release of harmful substances directly arising from the exploration, exploitation, and associated 

offshore processing of seabed mineral resources; or 

(3) The release of harmful substances for purposes of legitimate scientific research relating to pollution 

abatement or control. 

Dishwater means the liquid residue from the manual or automatic washing of dishes and cooking 

utensils which have been pre-cleaned to the extent that any food particles adhering to them would not 

normally interfere with the operation of automatic dishwashers. 

Domestic wastes means all types of wastes generated in the living spaces on board a ship, except 

victual wastes. 

Existing ship means a ship that is not a new ship. 

Fuel oil means any oil used to fuel the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the ship carrying the fuel. 

The term “fuel oil” is also known as “oil fuel.” 

Garbage means all kinds of victual, domestic, and operational waste, excluding fresh fish and parts 

thereof, generated during the normal operation of the ship and liable to be disposed of continuously or 

periodically, except dishwater, graywater, and those substances that are defined or listed in other 

Annexes to MARPOL 73/78. 

Graywater means drainage from dishwasher, shower, laundry, bath, and washbasin drains and does not 

include drainage from toilets, urinals, hospitals, and cargo spaces. 

Great Lakes means the Great Lakes of North America and the St. Lawrence River west of a rhumb line 

drawn from Cap des Rosiers to West Point, Anticosti Island, and, on the north side of Anticosti Island, 

the meridian of longitude 63 degrees west. 

Harmful substance means any substance which, if introduced into the sea, is liable to create hazards to 

human health, harm living resources and marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with other legitimate 

uses of the sea, and includes any substance subject to control by MARPOL 73/78. 

High viscosity Category B NLS means any Category B NLS having a viscosity of at least 25 mPa.s at 20 

°C and at least 25 mPa.s at the time it is unloaded. 

High viscosity Category C NLS means any Category C NLS having a viscosity of at least 60 mPa.s at 20 

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°C and at least 60 mPa.s at the time it is unloaded. 

High viscosity NLS includes Category A NLSs having a viscosity of at least 25 mPa.s at 20 °C and at 

least 25 mPa.s at the time they are unloaded, high viscosity Category B NLSs, and high viscosity 

Category C NLSs. 

Instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content means the rate of discharge of oil in liters per hour at any 

instant divided by the speed of the ship in knots at the same instant. 

Length means the horizontal distance between the foremost part of a ship's stem to the aftermost part of 

its stern, excluding fittings and attachments. 

Maintenance waste means materials collected while maintaining and operating the ship, including, but 

not limited to, soot, machinery deposits, scraped paint, deck sweepings, wiping wastes, and rags. 

Major conversion means a conversion of an existing ship— 

(1) That substantially alters the dimensions or carrying capacity of the ship; or 

(2) That changes the type of the ship; or 

(3) The intent of which, in the opinion of the government of the country under whose authority the ship is 

operating, is substantially to prolong its life; or 

(4) Which otherwise so alters the ship that, if it were a new ship, it would become subject to relevant 

provisions of MARPOL 73/78 not applicable to it as an existing ship. 

Marine pollutant means a harmful substance in packaged form, as it appears in Appendix B of 49 CFR 

172.101. 

MARPOL 73/78 means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as 

modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating to that Convention. A copy of MARPOL 73/78 is available from 

the International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1, SR7, England. 

Medical waste means isolation wastes, infectious agents, human blood and blood products, pathological 

wastes, sharps, body parts, contaminated bedding, surgical wastes and potentially contaminated 

laboratory wastes, dialysis wastes, and such additional medical items as prescribed by the Administrator 

of the EPA by regulation. 

Nearest land. The term “from the nearest land” means from the baseline from which the territorial sea of 

the territory in question is established in accordance with international law, except that, for the purposes 

of these regulations, “from the nearest land” off the north eastern coast of Australia shall mean from a 

line drawn from a point on the coast of Australia in— 

latitude 11°00' South, longitude 142°08' East to a point in—latitude 10°35' South, longitude 

141°55' East, thence to a point—latitude 10°00' South, longitude 142°00' East, thence to a 

point—latitude 9°10' South, longitude 143°52' East, thence to a point—latitude 9°00' South, 

longitude 144°30' East, thence to a point—latitude 13°00' South, longitude 144°00' East, 

thence to a point—latitude 15°00' South, longitude 146°00' East, thence to a point—latitude 

18°00' South, longitude 147°00' East, thence to a point—latitude 21°00' South, longitude 153°

00' East, thence to a point on the coast of Australia in latitude 24°42' South, longitude 153°15' 

East. 

New ship means a ship— 

(1) For which the building contract is placed after December 31, 1975; or 

(2) In the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of 

construction after June 30, 1976; or 

(3) The delivery of which is after December 31, 1979; or 

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(4) That has undergone a major conversion— 

(i) For which the contract is placed after December 31, 1975; 

(ii) In the absence of a contract, the construction work of which is begun after June 30, 1976; or 

(iii) That is completed after December 31, 1979. 

(5) For the purposes of §§151.26 through 151.28, which is delivered on or after April 4, 1993. 

NLS means Noxious Liquid Substance. 

NLS Certificate means an International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious 

Liquid Substances in Bulk issued under MARPOL 73/78. 

Noxious liquid substance (NLS) means— 

(1) Each substance listed in §151.47 or §151.49; 

(2) Each substance having an “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” beside it's name in the column headed “Pollution 

Category” in Table 1 of 46 CFR Part 153; and 

(3) Each substance that is identified as an NLS in a written permission issued under 46 CFR 153.900 

(d). 

Oceangoing ship means a ship that— 

(1) Is operated under the authority of the United States and engages in international voyages; 

(2) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for ocean service; 

(3) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for coastwise service beyond 

three miles from land; 

(4) Is operated under the authority of the United States and operates at any time seaward of the 

outermost boundary of the territorial sea of the United States as defined in §2.22 of this chapter; or 

(5) Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States. 

Note: A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North 

America or their connecting and tributary waters, or exclusively on the internal waters of the 

United States and Canada; is not an “oceangoing” ship.

Oil means petroleum whether in solid, semi-solid, emulsified, or liquid form, including but not limited to, 

crude oil, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, oil residue, and refined products, and, without limiting the generality 

of the foregoing, includes the substances listed in Appendix I of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78. “Oil” does 

not include animal and vegetable based oil or noxious liquid substances (NLS) designated under Annex 

II of MARPOL 73/78. 

Oil cargo residue means any residue of oil cargo whether in solid, semi-solid, emulsified, or liquid form 

from cargo tanks and cargo pump room bilges, including but not limited to, drainages, leakages, 

exhausted oil, muck, clingage, sludge, bottoms, paraffin (wax), and any constituent component of oil. 

The term “oil cargo residue” is also known as “cargo oil residue.” 

Oil residue means— 

(1) Oil cargo residue; and 

(2) Other residue of oil whether in solid, semi-solid, emulsified, or liquid form, resulting from drainages, 

leakages, exhausted oil, and other similar occurrences from machinery spaces. 

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Oily mixture means a mixture, in any form, with any oil content. “Oily mixture” includes, but is not limited 

to— 

(1) Slops from bilges; 

(2) Slops from oil cargoes (such as cargo tank washings, oily waste, and oily refuse); 

(3) Oil residue; and 

(4) Oily ballast water from cargo or fuel oil tanks. 

Oily rags means rags soaked with oil. 

Oil-like NLS means each cargo listed in §151.49. 

Oil tanker means a ship constructed or adapted primarily to carry oil in bulk in its cargo spaces and 

includes combination carriers and any “chemical tanker” as defined in Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 when 

it is carrying a cargo or part cargo of oil in bulk. 

Oily mixture means a mixture with any oil content, including bilge slops, oily wastes, oil residues 

(sludge), oily ballast water, and washings from cargo oil tanks. 

Operational waste means all cargo-associated waste, maintenance waste, and cargo residues other 

than oil residues and NLS cargo residues. “Operational wastes” includes ashes and clinkers ( i.e. , a 

mass of incombustible matter fused together by heat) from shipboard incinerators and coal-burning 

boilers but does not include plastic clinkers, which are treated as an Annex V waste, or oily rags, which 

are treated as an Annex I waste. 

Person means an individual, firm, public or private corporation, partnership, association, State, 

municipality, commission, political subdivision of a State, or any interstate body. 

Plastic means any garbage that is solid material, that contains as an essential ingredient one or more 

synthetic organic high polymers, and that is formed or shaped either during the manufacture of the 

polymer or polymers or during fabrication into a finished product by heat or pressure or both. 

“Degradable” plastics, which are composed of combinations of degradable starches and are either (a) 

synthetically produced or (b) naturally produced but harvested and adapted for use, are plastics under 

this part. Naturally produced plastics such as crabshells and other types of shells, which appear 

normally in the marine environment, are not plastics under this part. 

Note: Plastics possess material properties ranging from hard and brittle to soft and elastic. 

Plastics are used for a variety of marine applications including, but not limited to: food 

wrappings, products for personal hygiene, packaging (vaporproof barriers, bottles, containers, 

and liners), ship construction (fiberglass and laminated structures, siding, piping insulation, 

flooring, carpets, fabrics, adhesives, and electrical and electronic components), disposable 

eating-utensils and cups (including styrene products), bags, sheeting, floats, synthetic fishing 

nets, monofilament fishing line, strapping bands, hardhats, and synthetic ropes and lines.

Port means— 

(1) A group of terminals that combines to act as a unit and be considered a port for the purposes of this 

subpart; 

(2) A port authority or other organization that chooses to be considered a port for the purposes of this 

subpart; or 

(3) A place or facility that has been specifically designated as a port by the COTP. 

Prewash means a tank washing operation that meets the procedure in 46 CFR 153.1120. 

Recognized Classification Society means a classification society that is a participating member of the 

International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). 

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Residues and mixtures containing NLSs (NLS residue) means— 

(1) Any Category A, B, C, or D NLS cargo retained on the ship because it fails to meet consignee 

specifications; 

(2) Any part of a Category A, B, C, or D NLS cargo remaining on the ship after the NLS is discharged to 

the consignee, including but not limited to puddles on the tank bottom and in sumps, clingage in the 

tanks, and substance remaining in the pipes; or 

(3) Any material contaminated with Category A, B, C, or D NLS cargo, including but not limited to bilge 

slops, ballast, hose drip pan contents, and tank wash water. 

Segregated ballast means the ballast water introduced into a tank that is completely separated from the 

cargo oil and fuel oil system and that is permanently allocated to the carriage of ballast or to the carriage 

of ballast or cargoes other than oil or noxious substances as variously defined in the Annexes of 

MARPOL 73/78. 

Ship means a vessel of any type whatsoever, operating in the marine environment. This includes 

hydrofoils, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft whether self-propelled or not, and fixed or 

floating drilling rigs and other platforms. 

Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan means a plan prepared, submitted, and maintained according to 

the provisions of §§151.26 through 151.28 of this subpart for United States ships or maintained 

according to the provisions of §151.29(a) of this subpart for foreign ships operated under the authority of 

a country that is party to MARPOL 73/78 or carried on board foreign ships operated under the authority 

of a country that is not a party to MARPOL 73/78, while in the navigable waters of the United States, as 

evidence of compliance with §151.21 of this subpart. 

Solidifying NLS means a Category A, B, or C NLS that has a melting point— 

(1) Greater than 0 °C but less than 15 °C and a temperature, measured under the procedure in 46 CFR 

153.908(d), that is less than 5 °C above its melting point at the time it is unloaded; or 

(2) 15 °C or greater and a temperature, measured under the procedure in 46 CFR 153.908(d), that is 

less than 10 °C above its melting point at the time it is unloaded. 

Special area means a sea area, where for recognized technical reasons in relation to its 

oceanographical and ecological condition and to the particular character of the traffic, the adoption of 

special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by oil, NLSs, or garbage is required. 

Terminal means an onshore facility or an offshore structure located in the navigable waters of the United 

States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and used, or intended to be used, as a port or 

facility for the transfer or other handling of a harmful substance. 

Note: The Coast Guard interprets commercial fishing facilities, recreational boating facilities, 

and mineral and oil industry shorebases to be terminals for the purposes of Annex V of 

MARPOL 73/78, since these facilities normally provide wharfage and other services, including 

garbage handling, for ships.

U.S. inspected ships means those ship required to be inspected and certificated under 46 CFR 2.01–7. 

Victual waste means any spoiled or unspoiled food waste. 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983; 48 FR 54977, Dec. 8, 1983, as amended by CGD 85–010, 

52 FR 7758, Mar. 12, 1987; CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18403, Apr. 28, 1989; CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, 

May 2, 1990; 55 FR 35988, Sept. 4, 1990; 56 FR 8880, Mar. 1, 1991; CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51338, Oct. 

7, 1994; CGD 94–056, 60 FR 43377, Aug. 21, 1995; CGD 97–015, 62 FR 18045, Apr. 14, 1997; USCG 

2000–7079, 65 FR 67155, Nov. 8, 2000; USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55570, Nov. 2, 2001; USCG–2000–

6927, 70 FR 74675, Dec. 16, 2005; USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35013, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.06 Special areas. 

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(a) For the purposes of this part, the navigational descriptions of the special areas are as follows: 

(1) The Mediterranean Sea area means the Mediterranean Sea proper including the gulfs and seas 

therein, with the boundary between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea constituted by the 41° N 

parallel and bounded to the west by the Straits of Gibraltar at the meridian of 5°36' W. 

(2) The Baltic Sea means the Baltic Sea proper with the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, and the 

entrance to the Baltic Sea bounded by the parallel of the Skaw in the Skagerrak at 57°44.8' N. 

(3) The Black Sea area means the Black Sea proper with the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea 

and the Black Sea constituted by the parallel 41° N. 

(4) The Red Sea area means the Red Sea proper including the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba bounded at the 

south by the rhumb line between Ras si Ane (12°8.5' N, 43°19.6' E) and Husn Murad (12°40.4' N, 43°

30.2' E). 

(5) The Gulfs areas means the sea area located northwest of the rhumb line between Ras al Hadd (22°

30' N, 59°48' E) and Ras al Fasteh (25°04' N, 61°25' E). 

(6) The Gulf of Aden areas means the part of the Gulf of Aden between the Red Sea and the Arabian 

Sea bounded to the west by the rhumb line between Ras si Ane (12°28.5' N, 43°19.6' E) and Husn 

Murad (12°40.4' N, 43°30.2' E) and to the east by the rhumb line between Ras Asir (11°50' N, 51°16.9' 

E) and the Ras Fartak (15°35' N, 52°13.8' E). 

(7) The Antarctic areas means the sea south of 60° south latitude. 

(8) The North West European waters mean the North Sea and its approaches, the Irish Sea and its 

approaches, the Celtic Sea, the English Channel and its approaches and part of the North East Atlantic 

immediately to the west of Ireland. The area is bounded by lines joining the following points: 

48°27' N on the French coast 

48°27' N; 006°25' W 

49°52' N; 007°44' W 

50°30' N; 012° W 

56°30' N; 012° W 

62° N; 003° W 

62°' N on the Norwegian coast 

57°44'.8 N on the Danish and Swedish coasts. 

(9) The Oman area of the Arabian Sea means the sea enclosed by the following co-ordinates: 

22°30'.00 N; 059°48'.00 E 

23°47'.27 N; 060°35'.73 E 

22°40'.62 N; 062°25'.29 E 

21°47'.40 N; 063°22'.22 E 

20°30'.37 N; 062°52'.41 E 

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19°45'.90 N; 062°25'.97 E 

18°49'.92 N; 062°02'.94 E 

17°44'.36 N; 061°05'.53 E 

16°43'.71 N; 060°25'.62 E 

16°03'.90 N; 059°32'.24 E 

15°15'.20 N; 058°58'.52 E 

14°36'.93 N; 058°10'.23 E 

14°18'.93 N; 057°27'.03 E 

14°11'.53 N; 056°53'.75 E 

13°53'.80 N; 056°19'.24 E 

13°45'.86 N; 055°54'.53 E 

14°27'.38 N; 054°51'.42 E 

14°40'.10 N; 054°27'.35 E 

14°46'.21 N; 054°08'.56 E 

15°20'.74 N; 053°38'.33 E 

15°48'.69 N; 053°32'.07 E 

16°23'.02 N; 053°14'.82 E 

(10) The Southern South African waters means the sea area enclosed by the following co-ordinates: 

31°14' S; 017°50' E 

31°30' S; 017°12' E 

32°00' S; 017°06' E 

32°32' S; 016°52' E 

34°06' S; 017°24' E 

36°58' S; 020°54' E 

36°00' S; 022°30' E 

35°14' S; 022°54' E 

34°30' S; 026°00' E 

33°48' S; 027°25' E 

33°27' S; 027°12' E 

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(11) The North Sea area means the North Sea proper, including seas within the North Sea southwards 

of latitude 62° N and eastwards of longitude 4° W; the Skagerrak, the southern limit of which is 

determined east of the Skaw by latitude 57°44.8' N; and the English Channel and its approaches 

eastwards of longitude 5° W. 

(12) The Wider Caribbean region means the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea proper, including the 

bays and seas therein and that portion of the Atlantic Ocean within the boundary constituted by the 30° 

N parallel from Florida eastward to 77°30' W meridian, thence a rhumb line to the intersection of 20° N 

parallel and 59° W meridian, thence a rhumb line to the intersection of 7°20' N parallel and 50° W 

meridian, thence a rhumb line drawn southwesterly to the eastern boundary of French Guiana. 

(b) Special areas for the purpose of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78 include those referenced in §151.13. 

Special areas for the purposes of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 include those referenced in §151.32. 

Special areas for the purpose of Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 include those referenced in §151.53. 

[CGD 94–056, 60 FR 43377, Aug. 21, 1995, as amended by USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35013, June 19, 

2008] 

§ 151.07 Delegations. 

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Each Coast Guard official designated as a Captain of the Port (COTP) or Officer in Charge, Marine 

Inspection (OCMI) or Commanding Officer, Sector Office, is delegated the authority to— 

(a) Issue International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificates; 

(b) Detain or deny entry to ships not in substantial compliance with MARPOL 73/78 or not having an 

IOPP Certificate or evidence of compliance with MARPOL 73/78 on board; 

(c) Receive and investigate reports under §151.15; and 

(d) Issue subpoenas to require the attendance of any witness and the production of documents and 

other evidence, in the course of investigations of potential violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from 

Ships, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1901–1911), this subpart, or MARPOL 73/78. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; 

USCG–2006–25556, 72 FR 36328, July 2, 2007] 

§ 151.08 Denial of entry. 

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(a) Unless a ship is entering under force majeure, no oceangoing tanker or any other oceangoing ship of 

400 gross tons or more required by §151.10 to retain oil, oil residue, or oily mixtures on board while at 

sea, and no oceangoing ship carrying a Category A, B, or C NLS cargo or NLS residue in cargo tanks 

that are required to be prewashed under 46 CFR Part 153, may enter any port or terminal under 

§158.110(a) of this chapter unless the port or terminal has a Certificate of Adequacy, as defined in 

§158.120 of this chapter. 

(b) A COTP may deny the entry of a ship to a port or terminal under §158.110(b) if— 

(1) The port or terminal does not have a Certificate of Adequacy, as required in §158.135 of this chapter; 

or 

(2) The port or terminal is not in compliance with the requirements of subpart D of part 158. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55570, Nov. 2, 

2001] 

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Oil Pollution 

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Source: Sections 151.09 through 151.25 appear by CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 

1983, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 151.09 Applicability. 

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(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, §§151.09 through 151.25 apply to each ship 

that— 

(1) Is operated under the authority of the United States and engages in international voyages; 

(2) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for ocean service; 

(3) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for coastwise service beyond 

three nautical miles from land; 

(4) Is operated under the authority of the United States and operates at any time seaward of the 

outermost boundary of the territorial sea of the United States as defined in §2.22(a)(2) of this chapter; or 

(5) Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable 

waters of the United States, or while at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States. 

(b) Sections 151.09 through 151.25 do not apply to— 

(1) A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in 

noncommercial service; 

(2) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their 

connecting and tributary waters; 

(3) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the internal waters of the United States and 

Canada; or 

(4) Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL 73/78. 

(c) Sections 151.26 through 151.28 apply to each United States oceangoing ship specified in 

paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section which is— 

(1) An oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above or other ship of 400 gross tons and above; or 

(2) A fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform, when not engaged in the exploration, exploitation, or 

associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources. 

(d) Sections 151.26 through 151.28 do not apply to— 

(1) The ships specified in paragraph (b) of this section; 

(2) Any barge or other ship which is constructed or operated in such a manner that no oil in any form can 

be carried aboard. 

(e) Section 151.26(b)(5) applies to all vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and 

operating in Antarctica. 

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Note to §151.09(c)(3): The term “internal waters” is defined in §2.24 of this chapter.

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; 

CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51338, Oct. 7, 1994; CGD 97–015, 62 FR 18045, Apr. 14, 1997; USCG–2006–

25150, 71 FR 39209, July 12, 2006; USCG–2007–27887, 72 FR 45904, Aug. 16, 2007; USCG–2008–

0179, 73 FR 35013, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.10 Control of oil discharges. 

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(a) When more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, any discharge of oil or oily mixtures into the 

sea from a ship other than an oil tanker or from machinery space bilges of an oil tanker is prohibited 

except when all of the following conditions are satisfied— 

(1) The oil or oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump room bilges; 

(2) The oil or oily mixture is not mixed with oil cargo residues; 

(3) The ship is not within a special area; 

(4) The ship is proceeding enroute; 

(5) The oil content of the effluent without dilution is less than 15 parts per million (ppm); and 

(6) The ship has in operation oily-water separating equipment, a bilge monitor, bilge alarm, or 

combination thereof as required by part 155 subpart B of this chapter. 

(b) When within 12 nautical miles of the nearest land, any discharge of oil or oily mixtures into the sea 

from a ship other than an oil tanker or from machinery space bilges of an oil tanker is prohibited except 

when all of the following conditions are satisfied— 

(1) The oil or oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump room bilges; 

(2) The oil or oily mixture is not mixed with oil cargo residues; 

(3) The oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15 ppm; 

(4) The ship has in operation oily-water separating equipment, a bilge monitor, bilge alarm, or 

combination thereof as required by part 155 subpart B of this chapter; and 

(5) The oily-water separating equipment is equipped with a 15 ppm bilge alarm; for U.S. inspected ships, 

approved under 46 CFR 162.050 and for U.S. uninspected ships and foreign ships, either approved 

under 46 CFR 162.050 or listed in the current International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine 

Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) Circular summary of MARPOL 73/78 approved equipment. 

Note: In the navigable waters of the United States, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 

(FWPCA), section 311(b)(3) and 40 CFR Part 110 govern all discharges of oil or oily-mixtures.

(c) The overboard discharge of any oil cargo residues and oily mixtures that include oil cargo residues 

from an oil tanker is prohibited, unless discharged in compliance with part 157 of this chapter. 

(d) When more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, any discharge of oil or oily mixtures into the 

sea from a ship other than an oil tanker or from machinery space bilges of an oil tanker; that is not 

proceeding enroute; shall be in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), and (b)(5) of this 

section. 

(e) The provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section do not apply to the discharge of clean 

or segregated ballast. 

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(f) The person in charge of an oceangoing ship that cannot discharge oily mixtures into the sea in 

compliance with paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section must ensure that those oily mixtures are— 

(1) Retained on board; or 

(2) Discharged to a reception facility. If the reception facility is in a port or terminal in the United States, 

each person who is in charge of each oceangoing tanker or any other oceangoing ship of 400 gross tons 

or more shall notify the port or terminal, at least 24 hours before entering the port or terminal, of— 

(i) The estimated time of day the ship will discharge oily mixtures; 

(ii) The type of oily mixtures to be discharged; and 

(iii) The volume of oily mixtures to be discharged. 

Note: There are Federal, state, or local laws or regulations that could require a written 

description of the oil residues and oily mixtures to be discharged. For example, a residue or 

mixture containing oil might have a flashpoint less than 60 °C (140 °F) and thus have the 

characteristic of ignitability under 40 CFR 261.21, which might require a description of the 

waste for a manifest under 40 CFR Part 262, subpart B. Occupational safety and health 

concerns may be covered, as well as environmental ones.

The notice required in this section is in addition to those required by other Federal, state, and 

local laws and regulations. Affected persons should contact the appropriate Federal, state, or 

local agency to determine whether other notice and information requirements, including 40 

CFR Parts 262 and 263, apply to them. 

(g) No discharge into the sea shall contain chemicals or other substances introduced for the purpose of 

circumventing the conditions of discharge specified in this regulation. 

(h) This section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform that is operating under a 

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 78–035, 50 FR 36793, Sept. 9, 1985. 

Redesignated by CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989; USCG–1998–3799, 63 FR 35530, June 

30, 1998; USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55571, Nov. 2, 2001] 

§ 151.11 Exceptions for emergencies. 

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(a) Sections 151.10 and 151.13 do not apply to— 

(1) The discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a 

ship or saving life at sea. 

(2) The discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment— 

(i) Provided that all reasonable precautions have been taken after the occurrence of the damage or 

discovery of the discharge for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the discharge; and 

(ii) Except if the owner or the master acted either with intent to cause damage, or recklessly and with 

knowledge that damage would probably result. 

(b) [Reserved] 

[CGD 75–134a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989] 

§ 151.13 Special areas for Annex I of MARPOL 73/78. 

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(a) For the purposes of §§151.09 through 151.25, the special areas are the Mediterranean Sea area, the 

Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, the Red Sea area, the Gulfs area, the Gulf of Aden, and the 

Antarctic area, the North West European waters, and Oman area of the Arabian Sea which are 

described in §151.06. The discharge restrictions are effective in the Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, 

Black Sea, and the Antarctic area. 

(b) Subject to the provisions of §151.11— 

(1) A ship of 400 gross tons or over and any oil tanker may not discharge oil or oily mixture within a 

special area. In the Antarctic area, discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture from any ship is 

prohibited. 

(2) A ship of less than 400 gross tons other than an oil tanker may not discharge oil or oily mixture within 

a special area, unless the oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15 parts per million 

(ppm). 

(3) All ships operating in the Antarctic area must have on board a tank or tanks of sufficient capacity to 

retain all oily mixtures while operating in the area and arrangements made to discharge oily mixtures at 

a reception facility outside the Antarctic area. 

(c) The provisions of paragraph (b) of this section do not apply to the discharge of clean or segregated 

ballast. 

(d) The provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section do not apply to the discharge of processed bilge 

water from machinery space bilges, provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied— 

(1) The bilge water does not originate from cargo pump room bilges; 

(2) The bilge water is not mixed with oil cargo residues; 

(3) The ship is proceeding enroute; 

(4) The oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15 ppm; 

(5) The ship has in operation oily-water separating equipment complying with part 155 of this chapter; 

and 

(6) The oily-water separating equipment is equipped with a device that stops the discharge automatically 

when the oil content of the effluent exceeds 15 ppm. 

(e) No discharge into the sea shall contain chemicals or other substances introduced for the purpose of 

circumventing the conditions of discharge specified in this section. 

(f) The oily mixtures that cannot be discharged into the sea in compliance with paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) 

of this section shall be retained on board or discharged to reception facilities. 

(g) Nothing in this section prohibits a ship on a voyage, only part of which is in a special area, from 

discharging outside the special area in accordance with §151.10. 

(h) In accordance with Regulation 38.6.1 of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78, the discharge restriction in 

§151.13 for the Red Sea area, Gulfs area, Gulf of Aden area, the Oman area of the Arabian Sea, and 

the Southern South African waters will enter into effect when each party to MARPOL 73/78 whose 

coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has 

established an effective date for each special area. Notice of the effective dates for the discharge 

requirements in these special areas will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this 

section. 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983; 48 FR 54977, Dec. 8, 1983, as amended by CGD 88–002, 

54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989; CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; CGD 94–056, 60 FR 43377, 

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Aug. 21, 1995; USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55571, Nov. 2, 2001; USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35013, June 

19, 2008] 

§ 151.15 Reporting requirements. 

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(a) The master, person in charge, owner, charterer, manager, or operator of a vessel involved in any 

incident described in paragraph (c) of this section must report the particulars of the incident without 

delay to the fullest extent possible under the provisions of this section. 

(b) If a vessel involved in an incident is abandoned, or if a report from that vessel is incomplete or 

unattainable, the owner, charterer, manager, operator, or their agent must assume the obligations 

placed upon the master or other person having charge of the vessel under provisions of this section. 

(c) The report must be made whenever an incident involves— 

(1) A discharge of oil, hazardous substances, marine pollutants, or noxious liquid substances (NLS) 

resulting from damage to the vessel or its equipment, or for the purpose of securing the safety of a 

vessel or saving a life at sea; 

(2) A discharge of oil in excess of the quantities or instantaneous rate permitted in §§151.10 or 151.13 of 

this chapter, or NLS in bulk, in 46 CFR 153.1126 or 153.1128, during the operation of the vessel; 

(3) A discharge of marine pollutants in packaged form; or 

(4) A probable discharge resulting from damage to the vessel or its equipment. The factors you must 

consider to determine whether a discharge is probable include, but are not limited to— 

(i) Ship location and proximity to land or other navigational hazards; 

(ii) Weather; 

(iii) Tide current; 

(iv) Sea state; 

(v) Traffic density; 

(vi) The nature of damage to the vessel; and 

(vii) Failure or breakdown aboard the vessel of its machinery or equipment. Such damage may be 

caused by collision, grounding, fire, explosion, structural failure, flooding or cargo shifting or a failure or 

breakdown of steering gear, propulsion, electrical generating system or essential shipboard navigational 

aids. 

(d) Each report must be made by radio whenever possible, or by the fastest telecommunications 

channels available with the highest possible priority at the time the report is made to— 

(1) The appropriate officer or agency of the government of the country in whose waters the incident 

occurs; and 

(2) The nearest Captain of the Port (COTP) or the National Response Center (NRC), toll free number 

800–424–8802 (in Washington, DC, metropolitan area, 202–267–2675), fax 202–267–1322, telex 

number 892427 for incidents involving U.S. vessels in any body of water; or incidents involving foreign 

flag vessels in the navigable waters of the United States; or incidents involving foreign-flag tank vessels 

within waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the Exclusive Economic Zone 

(EEZ). 

(e) Each report must contain— 

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(1) The identity of the ship; 

(2) The type of harmful substance involved; 

(3) The time and date of the incident; 

(4) The geographic position of the vessel when the incident occurred; 

(5) The wind and the sea condition prevailing at the time of the incident; 

(6) Relevant details respecting the condition of the vessel; 

(7) A statement or estimate of the quantity of the harmful substance discharged or likely to be 

discharged into the sea; and 

(8) Assistance and salvage measures. 

(f) A person who is obligated under the provisions of this section to send a report must— 

(1) Supplement the initial report, as necessary, with information concerning further developments; and 

(2) Comply as fully as possible with requests from affected countries for additional information 

concerning the incident. 

(g) A report made under this section satisfies the reporting requirements of §153.203 of this chapter and 

of 46 CFR 4.05–1 and 4.05–2, if required under those provisions. 

[USCG–2000–6927, 70 FR 74675, Dec. 16, 2005, as amended by USCG–2006–25150, 71 FR 39209, 

July 12, 2006; USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.17 Surveys. 

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(a) Every U.S. oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, and every other U.S. ship of 400 gross tons and 

above; that is required to have an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate on board and 

to which this part applies, except as provided for in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section; is subject to 

the following surveys conducted by the Coast Guard— 

(1) An initial survey, conducted before the ship is put in service or before an IOPP Certificate required 

under §151.19 is issued for the first time; this survey includes a complete examination of its structure, 

equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material in so far as the ship is covered by this chapter. 

(2) Periodic renewal surveys conducted at intervals corresponding with the renewal of the IOPP 

Certificates. The purpose of the survey is to determine whether the structure, equipment, systems, 

fittings, arrangements, and material comply with the requirements of parts 155 and 157 of this chapter. 

(3) Annual surveys for inspected ships conducted as close as practicable to twelve (12) and thirty-six 

(36) months from the date of issuance of the IOPP Certificate, and not more than two months prior to or 

later than these twelve and thirty-six month dates; this survey is to determine that the oily-water 

separating equipment and associated pumps and piping systems remain satisfactory for the service 

intended, and that no unauthorized alterations have been made, and is to be endorsed on the IOPP 

Certificate. 

(4) Intermediate surveys for inspected ships conducted as close as practicable to twenty-four (24) 

months from the date of issuance of the IOPP Certificates, and not more than six months prior to or later 

than that twenty-four month date; this survey is to determine whether the equipment and associated 

pump and piping systems, including oil discharge monitoring and control systems, and oily-water 

separating equipment comply with the requirements of parts 155 and 157 of this chapter, and are in 

good working order, and is to be endorsed on the IOPP Certificate. 

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(5) Intermediate surveys for uninspected ships conducted as close as practicable to thirty (30) months 

from the date of issuance of the IOPP Certificate, and not more than six months prior to or later than that 

thirty month date; this survey is to determine whether the equipment and associated pump and piping 

systems, including oil discharge monitoring and control systems, and oily-water separating equipment 

comply with the requirements of parts 155 and 157 of this chapter, and are in good working order, and is 

to be endorsed on the IOPP Certificate. 

(b) Every U.S. inspected oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, and every other U.S. inspected ship of 

400 gross tons and above; that is not required to have an IOPP Certificate on board is subject to the 

following surveys to be conducted by the Coast Guard— 

(1) An initial survey conducted before the ship is put into service. 

(2) All other surveys are conducted concurrently with either inspections for certification or required 

reinspections. 

(c) After any survey of a ship under this section has been completed, no significant change may be 

made in the construction, equipment, fittings, arrangements or material covered by the survey without 

the sanction of the COTP or OCMI except for the direct replacement of such equipment or fittings. 

(d) Fixed and floating drilling rigs and other platforms, barges, and uninspected ships; that are not 

required to have an IOPP Certificate on board are not required to be surveyed under this section. 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by USCG–1998–3799, 63 FR 35530, June 30, 

1998] 

§ 151.19 International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificates. 

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(a) Each U.S. oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above and each other U.S. ship of 400 gross tons and 

above; that engages in voyages to ports or off-shore terminals under the jurisdiction of other parties to 

MARPOL 73/78 must have on board a valid International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate. 

(b) Each oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above and each other ship of 400 gross tons and above, 

operated under the authority of a country other than the United States that is party to MARPOL 73/78, 

must have on board a valid IOPP Certificate. 

(c) An IOPP Certificate is issued by a COTP, OCMI, or a classification society authorized under 46 CFR 

part 8, after a satisfactory survey in accordance with the provisions of §151.17. 

(d) The Supplement to the IOPP Certificate is a part of the IOPP Certificate and must remain attached to 

that Certificate. If the Supplement to the Certificate is changed, a new IOPP Certificate will be required. 

(e) The IOPP Certificate for each inspected or uninspected ship is valid for a maximum period of 5 years 

from the date of issue, except as follows: 

(1) A Certificate ceases to be valid if significant alterations have taken place in the construction, 

equipment, fittings, or arrangements required by the pollution prevention requirements of parts 155 or 

157 of this chapter without the approval of the COTP or the OCMI. 

(2) A Certificate ceases to be valid if intermediate surveys as required by §151.17 of this part are not 

carried out. 

(3) A Certificate issued to a ship ceases to be valid upon transfer of the ship to the flag of another 

country. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1625–0041) 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 95–010, 62 FR 67531, Dec. 24, 1997; 

USCG–1998–3799, 63 FR 35530, June 30, 1998; USCG–2000–7223, 65 FR 40057, June 29, 2000; 

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USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55571, Nov. 2, 2001; USCG–2006–25150, 71 FR 39209, July 12, 2006] 

§ 151.21 Ships of countries not party to MARPOL 73/78. 

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(a) Each oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above and each other ship of 400 gross tons and above, 

operated under the authority of a country not a party to MARPOL 73/78, must have on board valid 

documentation showing that the ship has been surveyed in accordance with and complies with the 

requirements of MARPOL 73/78. Evidence of compliance may be issued by either the government of a 

country that is party to MARPOL 73/78 or a recognized classification society. 

(b) Evidence of compliance must contain all of the information in, and have substantially the same 

format as, the IOPP Certificate. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1625–0019) 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51338, Oct. 7, 1994; 

USCG–2006–25150, 71 FR 39209, July 12, 2006] 

§ 151.23 Inspection for compliance and enforcement. 

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(a) While at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States, a ship is subject to inspection 

by the Coast Guard— 

(1) To determine that a valid IOPP Certificate is on board and that the condition of the ship and its 

equipment corresponds substantially with the particulars of the IOPP Certificate; 

(2) To determine that evidence of compliance with MARPOL 73/78, as required by §151.21 is on board 

and that the condition of the ship and its equipment corresponds substantially with the particulars of this 

evidence of compliance; 

(3) To determine whether a ship has been operating in accordance with and has not discharged any oil 

or oily mixtures in violation of the provisions of MARPOL 73/78 or this subchapter; 

(4) To determine whether a ship has discharged oil or oily mixtures anywhere in violation of MARPOL 

73/78, upon request from a party to MARPOL 73/78 for an investigation when the requesting party has 

furnished sufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief that a discharge has occurred. 

(b) A ship that does not comply with the requirements of parts 151, 155 and 157 of this chapter, or 

where the condition of the ship or its equipment does not substantially agree with the particulars of the 

IOPP Certificate or other required documentation, may be detained by order of the COTP or OCMI, at 

the port or terminal where the violation is discovered until, in the opinion of the detaining authority, the 

ship can proceed to sea without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment. 

The detention order may authorize the ship to proceed to the nearest appropriate available shipyard 

rather than remaining at the place where the violation was discovered. 

(c) An inspection under this section may include an examination of the Oil Record Book, the oil content 

meter continuous records, and a general examination of the ship. A copy of any entry in the Oil Record 

Book may be made and the Master of the ship may be required to certify that the copy is a true copy of 

such entry. 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990] 

§ 151.25 Oil Record Book. 

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(a) Each oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above, ship of 400 gross tons and above other than an oil 

tanker, and manned fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform shall maintain an Oil Record Book Part I 

(Machinery Space Operations). An oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above or a non oil tanker that carries 

200 cubic meters or more of oil in bulk, shall also maintain an Oil Record Book Part II (Cargo/Ballast 

Operations). 

(b) An Oil Record Book printed by the U.S. Government is available to the masters or operators of all 

U.S. ships subject to this section, from any Coast Guard Sector Office, Marine Inspection Office, or 

Captain of the Port Office. 

(c) The ownership of the Oil Record Book of all U.S. ships remains with the U.S. Government. 

(d) Entries shall be made in the Oil Record Book on each occasion, on a tank to tank basis if 

appropriate, whenever any of the following machinery space operations take place on any ship to which 

this section applies— 

(1) Ballasting or cleaning of fuel oil tanks; 

(2) Discharge of ballast containing an oily mixture or cleaning water from fuel oil tanks; 

(3) Disposal of oil residue; and 

(4) Discharge overboard or disposal otherwise of bilge water that has accumulated in machinery spaces. 

(e) Entries shall be made in the Oil Record Book on each occasion, on a tank to tank basis if 

appropriate, whenever any of the following cargo/ballast operations take place on any oil tanker to which 

this section applies— 

(1) Loading of oil cargo; 

(2) Internal transfer of oil cargo during voyage; 

(3) Unloading of oil cargo; 

(4) Ballasting of cargo tanks and dedicated clean ballast tanks; 

(5) Cleaning of cargo tanks including crude oil washing; 

(6) Discharge of ballast except from segregated ballast tanks; 

(7) Discharge of water from slop tanks; 

(8) Closing of all applicable valves or similar devices after slop tank discharge operations; 

(9) Closing of valves necessary for isolation of dedicated clean ballast tanks from cargo and stripping 

lines after slop tank discharge operations; and 

(10) Disposal of oil residue. 

(f) Entries shall be made in the Oil Record Book on each occasion, on a tank-to-tank basis if appropriate, 

whenever any of the following operations take place on a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform to 

which this section applies— 

(1) Discharge of ballast or cleaning water from fuel oil tanks; and 

(2) Discharge overboard of platform machinery space bilge water. 

(g) In the event of an emergency, accidental or other exceptional discharge of oil or oily mixture, a 

statement shall be made in the Oil Record Book of the circumstances of, and the reasons for, the 

discharge. 

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(h) Each operation described in paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of this section shall be fully recorded without 

delay in the Oil Record Book so that all the entries in the book appropriate to that operation are 

completed. Each completed operation shall be signed by the person or persons in charge of the 

operations concerned and each completed page shall be signed by the master or other person having 

charge of the ship. 

(i) The Oil Record Book shall be kept in such a place as to be readily available for inspection at all 

reasonable times and shall be kept on board the ship. 

(j) The master or other person having charge of a ship required to keep an Oil Record Book shall be 

responsible for the maintenance of such record. 

(k) The Oil Record Book for a U.S. ship shall be maintained on board for not less than three years. 

(l) This section does not apply to a barge or a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform that is not 

equipped to discharge overboard any oil or oily mixture. 

(m) This section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform that is operating in 

compliance with a valid National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1625–0009) 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983; 48 FR 54977, Dec. 8, 1983, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 

55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55571, Nov. 2, 2001; USCG–2006–25150, 71 

FR 39209, July 12, 2006; USCG–2006–25556, 72 FR 36328, July 2, 2007] 

§ 151.26 Shipboard oil pollution emergency plans. 

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(a) Language of the plan. The shipboard oil pollution emergency plan must be available on board in 

English and in the working language of the master and the officers of the ship, if other than English. 

(b) Plan format. The plan must contain the following six sections. A seventh non-mandatory section may 

be included at the shipowner's discretion: 

(1) Introduction. This section must contain the following: 

(i) Introductory text. The introductory text of the plan must contain the following language (For ships 

operating in Antarctica, the introductory text of the plan must contain the following language and explain 

that they are in accordance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty): 

This plan is written in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 26 of Annex I of the 

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 

Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78). 

The purpose of the plan is to provide guidance to the master and officers on board the ship 

with respect to the steps to be taken when a pollution incident has occurred or is likely to 

occur. 

The plan contains all information and operational instructions required by the guidelines 

(Resolution MEPC.54(32)). The appendices contain names, telephone numbers, telex 

numbers, etc. of all contacts referenced in the plan, as well as other reference material. 

This plan has been approved by the Coast Guard and, except as provided below, no 

alteration or revision may be made to any part of it without the prior approval of the Coast 

Guard. 

Changes to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require approval by the 

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Coast Guard. The appendices must be maintained up-to-date by the owners, operators, and 

managers. 

(ii) General information. 

(A) The ship's name, call sign, official number, International Maritime Organization (IMO) international 

number, and principal characteristics. 

(B) [Reserved] 

(2) Preamble. This section must contain an explanation of the purpose and use of the plan and indicate 

how the shipboard plan relates to other shore-based plans. 

(3) Reporting Requirements. This section of the plan must include information relating to the following: 

(i) When to report. A report shall be made whenever an incident involves— 

(A) A discharge of oil or oily mixture resulting from damage to the ship or its equipment, or for the 

purpose of securing the safety of a ship or saving life at sea; 

(B) A discharge of oil or oily mixture during the operation of the ship in excess of the quantities or 

instantaneous rate permitted in §151.10 of this subpart or in §157.37 of this subchapter; or 

(C) A probable discharge. Factors to be considered in determining whether a discharge is probable 

include, but are not limited to: ship location and proximity to land or other navigational hazards, weather, 

tide, current, sea state, and traffic density. The master must make a report in cases of collision, 

grounding, fire, explosion, structural failure, flooding or cargo shifting, or an incident resulting in failure or 

breakdown of steering gear, propulsion, electrical generating system, or essential shipborne navigational 

aids. 

(ii) Information required. This section of the plan must include a notification form, such as that depicted 

in Table 151.26(b)(3)(ii)(A), that contains information to be provided in the initial and follow-up 

notifications. The initial notification should include as much of the information on the form as possible, 

and supplemental information, as appropriate. However, the initial notification must not be delayed 

pending collection of all information. Copies of the form must be placed at the location(s) on the ship 

from which notification may be made. 

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View or download PDF 

 

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(iii) Whom to contact. (A) This section of the plan must make reference to the appendices listing coastal 

state contacts, port contacts, and ship interest contacts. 

(B) For actual or probable discharges of oil, or oily mixtures the reports must comply with the procedures 

described in MARPOL Protocol I. The reports shall be directed to either the nearest Captain of the Port 

(COTP) or to the National Response Center (NRC), toll free telephone number: 800–424–8802, direct 

telephone: 202–267–2675, or Fax: 202–267–1322. 

(C) For Antarctica, in addition to compliance with paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, reports shall also 

be directed to any Antarctic station that may be affected. 

(4) Steps to control a discharge. This section of the plan must contain a discussion of procedures to 

address the following scenarios: 

(i) Operational spills: The plan must outline procedures for removal of oil spilled and contained on deck. 

The plan must also provide guidance to ensure proper disposal of recovered oil and cleanup materials; 

(A) Pipe leakage: The plan must provide specific guidance for dealing with pipe leakage; 

(B) Tank overflow: The plan must include procedures for dealing with tank overflows. It must provide 

alternatives such as transferring cargo or bunkers to empty or slack tanks, or readying pumps to transfer 

the excess ashore; 

(C) Hull leakage: The plan must outline procedures for responding to spills due to suspected hull 

leakage, including guidance on measures to be taken to reduce the head of oil in the tank involved 

either by internal transfer or discharge ashore. Procedures to handle situations where it is not possible to 

identify the specific tank from which leakage is occurring must also be provided. Procedures for dealing 

with suspected hull fractures must be included. These procedures must take into account the effect of 

corrective actions on hull stress and stability. 

(ii) Spills resulting from casualties: Each of the casualties listed below must be treated in the plan as a 

separate section comprised of various checklists or other means which will ensure that the master 

considers all appropriate factors when addressing the specific casualty. These checklists must be 

tailored to the specific ship. In addition to the checklists, specific personnel assignments for anticipated 

tasks must be identified. Reference to existing fire control plans and muster lists is sufficient to identify 

personnel responsibilities in the following situations: 

(A) Grounding; 

(B) Fire or explosion; 

(C) Collision; 

(D) Hull failure; and 

(E) Excessive list. 

(iii) In addition to the checklist and personnel duty assignments required by paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this 

section, the plan must include— 

(A) Priority actions to ensure the safety of personnel and the ship, assess the damage to the ship, and 

take appropriate further action; 

(B) Information for making damage stability and longitudinal strength assessments, or contacting 

classification societies to acquire such information. Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating 

a requirement for damage stability plans or calculations beyond those required by law or regulation; and 

(C) Lightening procedures to be followed in cases of extensive structural damage. The plan must contain 

information on procedures to be followed for ship-to-ship transfer of cargo. Reference may be made in 

the plan to existing company guides. A copy of such company procedures for ship-to-ship transfer 

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operations must be kept in the plan. The plan must address the coordination of this activity with the 

coastal or port state, as appropriate. 

(5) National and Local Coordination. (i) This section of the plan must contain information to assist the 

master in initiating action by the coastal State, local government, or other involved parties. This 

information must include guidance to assist the master with organizing a response to the incident should 

a response not be organized by the shore authorities. Detailed information for specific areas may be 

included as appendices to the plan. 

(ii) For Antarctica, a vessel owner or operator must include a plan for prompt and effective response 

action to such emergencies as might arise in the performance of its vessel's activities. 

(iii) To comply with paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section, an agency of the United States government may 

promulgate a directive providing for prompt and effective response by the agency's public vessels 

operating in Antarctica. 

(6) Appendices. Appendices must include the following information: 

(i) Twenty-four hour contact information and alternates to the designated contacts. These details must 

be routinely updated to account for personnel changes and changes in telephone, telex, and 

telefacsimile numbers. Clear guidance must also be provided regarding the preferred means of 

communication. 

(ii) The following lists, each identified as a separate appendix: 

(A) A list of agencies or officials of coastal state administrations responsible for receiving and processing 

incident reports; 

(B) A list of agencies or officials in regularly visited ports. When this is not feasible, the master must 

obtain details concerning local reporting procedures upon arrival in port; and 

(C) A list of all parties with a financial interest in the ship such as ship and cargo owners, insurers, and 

salvage interests. 

(D) A list which specifies who will be responsible for informing the parties listed and the priority in which 

they must be notified. 

(iii) A record of annual reviews and changes. 

(7) Non-mandatory provisions. If this section is included by the shipowner, it should include the following 

types of information or any other information that may be appropriate: 

(i) Diagrams; 

(ii) Response equipment or oil spill removal organizations; 

(iii) Public affairs practices; 

(iv) Recordkeeping; 

(v) Plan exercising; and 

(vi) Individuals qualified to respond. 

(8) Index of sections. The plan must be organized as depicted in Table 151.26(b)(8). 

Table 151.26(b)(8)—Index of Sections—Sample Format 

Mandatory

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Section 1: Introduction 

Section 2: Preamble 

Section 3: Reporting requirements 

Section 4: Steps to control a discharge 

Section 5: National and local coordination 

Section 6: Appendices 

Voluntary

Section 7: Non-mandatory provisions 

[CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51338, Oct. 7, 1994, as amended by CGD 97–015, 62 FR 18045, Apr. 14, 1997; 

USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55571, Nov. 2, 2001; USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.27 Plan submission and approval. 

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(a) No manned ship subject to this part may operate unless it carries on board a shipboard oil pollution 

emergency plan approved by the Coast Guard. An unmanned ship subject to this regulation must carry 

the notification list required in §151.26(b)(3) on board in the documentation container; remaining 

sections of the plan must be maintained on file at the home office. For new ships, plans must be 

submitted at least 90 days before the ship intends to begin operations. 

(b) An owner or operator of a ship to which this part applies shall prepare and submit one English 

language copy of the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan to Commandant (CG–5431), U.S. Coast 

Guard, 2100 2nd St., SW., Stop 7581, Washington, DC 20593–7581. 

(c) An owner or operator with multiple ships to which this part applies may submit one plan for each type 

of ship with a separate ship-specific appendix for each vessel covered by the plan. 

(d) Combined shipboard oil pollution emergency plans and response plans meeting the requirements of 

subparts D and E of part 155 of this chapter must be prepared according to §155.1030(j) of this chapter. 

(e) If the Coast Guard determines that the plan meets all requirements of this section, the Coast Guard 

will notify the owner or operator of the ship and return a copy of the approved plan along with an 

approval letter. The approval period for a plan expires 5 years after the plan approval date. 

(f) If the Coast Guard determines that the plan does not meet all of the requirements, the Coast Guard 

will notify the owner or operator of the plan's deficiencies. The owner or operator must then resubmit two 

copies of the revised plan, or corrected portions of the plan, within time period specified in the written 

notice provided by the Coast Guard. 

[CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51342, Oct. 7, 1994, as amended by CGD 96–026, 61 FR 33665, June 28, 1996; 

USCG–1998–3799, 63 FR 35530, June 30, 1998; USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008; 

USCG–2010–0351, 75 FR 36284, June 25, 2010] 

§ 151.28 Plan review and revision. 

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(a) An owner or operator of a ship to which this subpart applies must review the shipboard oil pollution 

emergency plan annually and submit a letter to Commandant (CG–5431) certifying that the review has 

been completed. This review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval 

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of the plan. 

(b) The owner or operator shall submit any plan amendments to Commandant (CG–5431) for 

information or approval. 

(c) The entire plan must be resubmitted to Commandant (CG–5431) for reapproval 6 months before the 

end of the Coast Guard approval period identified in §151.27(e) of this subpart. 

(d) A record of annual review and changes to the plan must be maintained in the last appendix of 

section six of the plan. 

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, revisions must receive prior approval by the Coast 

Guard before they can be incorporated into the plan. 

(f) Revisions to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require approval by the Coast 

Guard. The Coast Guard shall be advised and provided a copy of the revisions as they occur. 

[CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51342, Oct. 7, 1994, as amended by CGD 96–026, 61 FR 33665, June 28, 1996; 

USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.29 Foreign ships. 

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(a) Each oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above and each other ship of 400 gross tons and above, 

operated under the authority of a country other than the United States that is party to MARPOL 73/78, 

shall, while in the navigable waters of the United States or while at a port or terminal under the 

jurisdiction of the United States, carry on board a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan approved by its 

flag state. 

(b) Each oil tanker of 150 gross tons and above and each other ship of 400 gross tons and above, 

operated under the authority of a country that is not a party to MARPOL 73/78, must comply with 

§151.21 of this subpart while in the navigable waters of the United States. 

[CGD 93–030, 59 FR 51342, Oct. 7, 1994] 

Noxious Liquid Substance Pollution 

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Source: Sections 151.30 through 151.49 appear by CGD 85–010, 52 FR 7759, Mar. 12, 

1987, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 151.30 Applicability. 

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(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, §§151.30 through 151.49 apply to each ship 

that— 

(1) Is operated under the authority of the United States and engages in international voyages; 

(2) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for ocean service; 

(3) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for coastwise service beyond 

three nautical miles from land; 

(4) Is operated under the authority of the United States and operates at any time seaward of the 

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outermost boundary of the territorial sea of the United States as defined in §2.22 of this chapter; or 

(5) Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable 

waters of the United States, or while at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States. 

(b) Sections 151.30 through 151.49 do not apply to— 

(1) A tank barge whose certificate is endorsed by the Coast Guard for a limited short protected 

coastwise route if the barge is constructed and certificated primarily for service on an inland route; 

(2) A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in 

noncommercial service; 

(3) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their 

connecting and tributary waters; 

(4) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the internal waters of the United States and 

Canada; or 

(5) Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL 73/78. 

Note to §151.30 (b)(4): The term “internal waters” is defined in §2.24 of this chapter.

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; 

USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.31 Where to find requirements applying to oceangoing ships carrying Category 

A, B, C, and D NLS. 

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(a) The requirements for oceangoing ships carrying NLSs listed in §§151.47 and 151.49 are in §§151.33 

through 151.45. 

(b) The requirements for oceangoing ships carrying NLSs listed in Table 151.05 of 46 CFR part 151 and 

Table 1 of 46 CFR part 153, which are not listed in §151.47 or §151.49, are in 46 CFR parts 98, 151, 

and 153. 

(c) Alternatives to the requirements in this part for oceangoing ships carrying NLSs are in 46 CFR part 

153. 

(d) Procedures for obtaining permission to carry an NLS not listed in §151.47, §151.49, Table 151.05 of 

46 CFR part 151, or Table 1 of 46 CFR part 153 are in 46 CFR 153.900(c). 

§ 151.32 Special areas for the purpose of Annex II. 

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(a) For the purposes of §§151.30 through 151.49, the special areas are the Baltic Sea area, the Black 

Sea area, and the Antarctic area which are described in §151.06. Discharges into the sea of NLSs or 

mixtures containing such substances are prohibited in the Antarctic area. 

(b) In accordance with paragraph (13)(a) of Regulation 5 of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78, the discharge 

restrictions in §151.32 for the Baltic Sea area and the Black Sea area will enter into effect when each 

Party to MARPOL 73/78 whose coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities 

are available and the IMO has established an effective date for each special area. Notice of the effective 

date for discharge requirements in these areas will be published in the Federal Register and reflected 

in this section. 

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[CGD 94–056, 60 FR 43378, Aug. 21, 1995] 

§ 151.33 Certificates needed to carry Category C Oil-like NLS. 

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(a) A U.S. oceangoing ship may not carry a Category C oil-like NLS listed in §151.49 in a cargo tank 

unless the ship has a Certificate of Inspection endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank, 

and if the ship engages in a foreign voyage— 

(1) An Attachment for NLSs to the IOPP Certificate, issued under §151.37(a), that allows the NLS to be 

carried in that cargo tank; or 

(2) A Certificate of Fitness issued under 46 CFR part 153 that allows the NLS to be carried in that cargo 

tank. 

(b) A foreign oceangoing ship operating in the navigable waters of the U.S. may not carry a Category C 

oil-like NLS listed in §151.49 in a cargo tank unless the ship has— 

(1) An Attachment for NLSs to the IOPP Certificate that allows the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank; 

or 

(2) A Certificate of Compliance issued under 46 CFR Part 153 to allow the NLS to be carried in that 

cargo tank. 

(c) A U.S. oceangoing ship authorized to carry certain dangerous cargoes in bulk under 46 CFR Part 98 

may not carry a Category C oil-like NLS listed in §151.49 in a cargo tank unless the ship has a 

Certificate of Inspection endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank, and if the ship 

engages in a foreign voyage, an NLS Certificate issued under §151.37(b) that allows the NLS to be 

carried in that cargo tank. 

§ 151.35 Certificates needed to carry Category D NLS and Category D Oil-like NLS. 

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(a) A U.S. oceangoing ship may not carry a Category D NLS listed in §151.47 in a cargo tank unless the 

ship has a Certificate of Inspection endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank, and if the 

ship engages if a foreign voyage— 

(1) An NLS Certificate issued under §151.37(b) to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank; or 

(2) A Certificate of Fitness issued under 46 CFR part 153 to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo 

tank. 

(b) A U.S. oceangoing ship may not carry a Category D oil-like NLS listed in §151.49 in a cargo tank 

unless the ship has a Certificate of Inspection endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank, 

and if the ship engages if a foreign voyage— 

(1) An Attachment for NLSs to the IOPP Certificate, issued under §151.37(a), to allow the NLS to be 

carried in that cargo tank; or 

(2) An NLS Certificate issued under §151.37(b) to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank, or 

(3) A Certificate of Fitness issued under 46 CFR part 153 to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo 

tank. 

(c) A foreign oceangoing ship in the navigable waters of the U.S. may not carry a Category D NLS listed 

in §151.47 in a cargo tank unless the ship has one of the following: 

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(1) An NLS Certificate endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank; or 

(2) A Certificate of Compliance issued under 46 CFR part 153 to allow the NLS to be carried in that 

cargo tank. 

(d) A foreign oceangoing ship in the navigable waters of the U.S. may not carry a Category D oil-like 

NLS listed in §151.49 in a cargo tank unless the ship has one of the following: 

(1) An Attachment for NLSs to the IOPP Certificate to allow the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank; or 

(2) An NLS Certificate endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in the cargo tank; or 

(3) A Certificate of Compliance issued under 46 CFR part 153 to allow the NLS to be carried in the cargo 

tank. 

(e) A U.S. oceangoing ship authorized to carry certain dangerous cargoes in bulk under 46 CFR part 98 

may not carry a Category D NLS listed in §151.47 or a Category D oil-like NLS listed in §151.49 in a 

cargo tank unless the ship has a Certificate of Inspection endorsed to allow the NLS to be carried in that 

cargo tank, and if the ship engages in a foreign voyage, an NLS Certificate issued under §151.37(b) that 

allows the NLS to be carried in that cargo tank. 

§ 151.37 Obtaining an Attachment for NLSs to the IOPP Certificate and obtaining an 

NLS Certificate. 

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(a) The Coast Guard or a classification society authorized under 46 CFR part 8 issues an Attachment for 

NLSs to the IOPP Certificate to an oceangoing ship to allow the carriage of a Category C oil-like NLS or 

a Category D oil-like NLS if the following requirements are met: 

(1) Except for ships that are not configured and are not equipped to ballast or wash cargo tanks while 

proceeding en route, the ship must have a Coast Guard approved monitor under §157.12 that is 

approved for the cargoes that are desired to be carried. 

(2) Except as required by paragraph (a)(3), ships of 150 meters or less in length carrying a Category C 

oil-like NLS must meet the damage stability requirements applying to a Type III hull as provided by 

Regulation 14 (c) of Annex II. 

(3) A U.S. self propelled ship of 150 meters or less in length on a coastwise voyage carrying a Category 

C oil-like NLS must meet the damage stability requirements applying to a Type III hull as provided by 46 

CFR part 172, subpart F except §§172.130 and 172.133. 

(b) Except as allowed in paragraph (c) of this section, the Coast Guard or a classification society 

authorized under 46 CFR part 8 issues an NLS Certificate endorsed to allow the oceangoing ship 

engaged in a foreign voyage to carry a Category D NLS listed in §151.47 if the ship has— 

(1) An approved Procedures and Arrangements Manual and Cargo Record Book, both meeting the 

requirements in 46 CFR 153.490; and 

(2) A residue discharge system meeting 46 CFR 153.470, unless the approved Procedures and 

Arrangements Manual limits discharge of Category D NLS residue to the alternative provided by 46 CFR 

153.1128(b). 

(c) The Coast Guard or a classification society authorized under 46 CFR part 8 issues a NLS Certificate 

with the statement that the vessel is prohibited from discharging NLS residues to the sea if the vessel 

does not meet 46 CFR 153.470 and 153.490 but meets 46 CFR subpart 98.31. 

[CGD 75–124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 95–010, 62 FR 67532, Dec. 24, 1997] 

§ 151.39 Operating requirements: Category D NLS. 

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The master or person in charge of an oceangoing ship that carries a Category D NLS listed in §151.47 

shall ensure that the ship is operated as prescribed for the operation of oceangoing ships carrying 

Category D NLSs in 46 CFR 153.901, 153.909, 153.1100, 153.1104, 153.1106, 153.1124, 153.1126, 

and 153.1128. 

[CGD 85–010, 52 FR 7759, Mar. 12, 1987, as amended by USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 

2008] 

§ 151.41 Operating requirements for oceangoing ships with IOPP Certificates: 

Category C and D Oil-like NLSs. 

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The master or person in charge of an oceangoing ship certificated under §151.37(a) shall ensure that— 

(a) The carriage and discharge of the oil-like NLS meets §§157.29, 157.31, 157.35, 157.37, 157.41, 

157.45, 157.47, and 157.49 of this chapter; and 

(b) The oil-like NLS is not discharged unless— 

(1) The monitor required by §151.37(a)(1) is set to detect the oil-like NLS; and 

(2) A statement that the monitor has been set to detect the oil-like NLS is entered in the Oil Record Book 

Part II(Cargo/Ballast Operations), required by §151.25. 

§ 151.43 Control of discharge of NLS residues. 

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(a) Unless the ship is a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform operating under an National Pollution 

Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the master or person in charge of an oceangoing ship 

that cannot discharge NLS residue into the sea in accordance with 46 CFR 153.1126 or 153.1128 shall 

ensure that the NLS residue is— 

(1) Retained on board; or 

(2) Discharged to a reception facility. 

(b) If Category A, B, or C NLS cargo or NLS residue is to be transfered at a port or terminal in the United 

States, the master or person in charge of each oceangoing ship carrying NLS cargo or NLS residue shall 

notify the port or terminal at least 24 hours before entering the port or terminal of— 

(1) The name of the ship; 

(2) The name, category and volume of NLS cargo to be unloaded; 

(3) If the cargo is a Category B or C high viscosity NLS cargo or solidifying NLS cargo listed in Table 1 of 

46 CFR Part 153 with a reference to “§153.908(a)” or “§153.908(b)” in the “Special Requirements” 

column of that table, the time of day the ship is estimated to be ready to discharge NLS residue to a 

reception facility; 

(4) If the cargo is any Category B or C NLS cargo not under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, whether or 

not the ship meets the stripping requirements under 46 CFR 153.480, 153.481, or 153.482; 

(5) The name and the estimated volume of NLS in the NLS residue to be discharged; 

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(6) The total volume of NLS residue to be discharged; and 

(7) The name and amount of any cleaning agents to be used during the prewash required by 46 CFR 

153.1120. 

(c) The master or person in charge of a U.S. ship in a special area shall operate the ship in accordance 

with 46 CFR 153.903. 

Note: The master or person in charge of a ship carrying Category A NLS that is required to 

prewash tanks under the procedures in 46 CFR Part 153.1120 is required under 46 CFR 

153.1101 to notify the COTP at least 24 hours before a prewash surveyor is needed.

§ 151.47 Category D NLSs other than oil-like Category D NLSs that may be carried 

under this part. 

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The following is a list of Category D NLSs other than Oil-like Category D NLSs that the Coast Guard 

allows to be carried: 

Acetophenone 

Acrylonitrile-Styrene copolymer dispersion in Polyether polyol 

iso- & cyclo-Alkane (C10–C11) 

Alkenyl(C11+)amine 

Alkyl(C8+)amine, Alkenyl (C12+) acid ester mixture 

Alkyl dithiothiadiazole (C6–C24) 

Alkyl ester copolymer (C4–C20) 

Alkyl(C8–C40) phenol sulfide 

Aluminum sulfate solution 

Ammonium hydrogen phosphate solution 

Ammonium nitrate solution (45% or less) 

Ammonium nitrate, Urea solution (2% or less NH3)

Ammonium phosphate, Urea solution 

Ammonium polyphosphate solution 

Ammonium sulfate solution (20% or less) 

Amyl alcohol (iso-, n-, sec-, primary) 

Animal and Fish oils, n.o.s. ( see also Oil, edible ) 

Animal and Fish acid oils and distillates, n.o.s. 

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Aryl polyolefin (C11–C50) 

Brake fluid base mixtures 

Butylene glycol 

iso-Butyl formate 

n-Butyl formate 

gamma-Butyrolactone 

Calcium hydroxide slurry 

Calcium long chain alkyl sulfonate (C11–C50) 

Calcium long chain alkyl(C11–C40) phenate 

Calcium long chain alkyl phenate sulfide (C8-C40) 

Caprolactam solutions 

Chlorine chloride solution 

Citric acid (70% or less) 

Coconut oil fatty acid methyl ester 

Copper salt of long chain (C17+) alkanoic acid 

Cyclohexanol 

Decahydronaphthalene 

Diacetone alcohol 

Dialkyl(C8–C9) diphenylamines 

Dialkyl(C7–C13) phthalates 

Diethylene glycol 

Diethylene glycol butyl ether acetate , see Poly(2-8) alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

acetate 

Diethylene glycol dibutyl ether 

Diethylene glycol ethyl ether , see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

Diethylene glycol ethyl ether acetate , see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

acetate 

Diethylene glycol methyl ether acetate , see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

acetate 

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Diethylene glycol phenyl ether 

Diethylene glycol phthalate 

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate 

1,4-Dihydro-9,10-dihydroxy anthracene, disodium salt solution 

Diisobutyl ketone 

Diisodecyl phthalate, see Dialkyl(C7–C13) phthalates 

Diisononyl adipate 

Diisononyl phthalate, see Dialkyl(C7–C13) phthalates 

2,2-Dimethylpropane-1,3-diol 

Dinonyl phthalate, see Dialkyl(C7–C13) phthalates 

Dipropylene glycol dibenzoate 

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether , see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1-C6) ether 

Ditridecyl phthalate, see Dialkyl(C7–C13) phthalates 

Diundecyl phthalate, see Dialkyl(C7–C13) phthalates 

Dodecenylsuccinic acid, dipotassium salt solution 

Ethoxylated long chain (C16+) alkyloxyalkanamine 

Ethoxy triglycol ( crude ) 

2-Ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol, C8–C10 ester 

Ethyl acetate 

Ethyl acetoacetate 

Ethyl butanol 

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tetrasodium salt solution 

Ethylene glycol 

Ethylene glycol acetate 

Ethylene glycol dibutyl ether 

Ethylene glycol methyl butyl ether 

Ethylene glycol phenyl ether 

Ethylene glycol phenyl ether, Diethylene glycol phenyl ether mixture 

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2-Ethylhexanoic acid, see Octanoic acid 

Ethyl propionate 

Ferric hydroxyethylethylene diamine triacetic acid, trisodium salt solution 

Formamide 

Glycerine (83%), Dioxanedimethanol (17%) mixture 

Glycerol monooleate 

Glyoxal solution (40% or less) 

Glyphosate solution (not containing surfactant) 

Heptanoic acid 

Hexamethylenediamine adipate 

Hexamethylenetetramine solutions 

Hexanoic acid 

Hexanol 

N–(Hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine triacetic acid, trisodium salt solution 

Isophorone 

Lactic acid 

Latex (ammonia (1% or less) inhibited) 

Long chain alkaryl sulfonic acid (C16–C60) 

Magnesium long chain alkaryl sulfonate (C11–C50) 

Magnesium long chain alkyl phenate sulfide (C8–C20) 

3-Methoxybutyl acetate 

Methyl acetoacetate 

Methyl alcohol 

Methyl amyl ketone 

Methyl butenol 

Methyl butyl ketone 

Methyl isobutyl ketone 

Methyl tert-butyl ether 

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Methyl butynol 

Methyl propyl ketone 

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone 

Myrcene 

Naphthalene sulfonic acid-formaldehyde copolymer, sodium salt solution 

Nonanoic acid (all isomers) 

Nonanoic, Tridecanoic acid mixture 

Nonyl methacrylate 

Noxious Liquid Substance, (17) n.o.s. 

Octadecenoamide solution 

Octanoic acid 

Oil, edible: 

Babassu 

Beechnut 

Castor 

Cocoa butter 

Coconut 

Cod liver 

Corn 

Cottonseed 

Fish 

Groundnut 

Hazelnut 

Nutmeg butter 

Olive 

Palm 

Palm kernel 

Peanut 

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Poppy 

Raisin seed 

Rapeseed 

Rice bran 

Safflower 

Salad 

Sesame 

Soya bean 

Sunflower seed 

Tucum 

Vegetable 

Walnut 

Oil, misc: 

Animal, n.o.s. 

Coconut oil, esterified 

Coconut oil, fatty acid methyl ester 

Lanolin 

Linseed 

Neatsfoot 

Oiticica 

Palm oil, fatty acid methyl ester 

Palm oil, methyl ester 

Perilla 

Pilchard 

Soya bean (epoxidized) 

Sperm 

Tung 

Whale 

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Olefin/Alkyl ester copolymer (molecular weight 2000+) 

Oleic acid 

Palm kernel acid oil, methyl ester 

Palm stearin 

Pentaethylenehexamine 

Pentanoic acid 

Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1-C6) ether, Including: 

Diethylene glycol butyl ether 

Diethylene glycol ethyl ether 

Diethylene glycol n-hexyl ether 

Diethylene glycol methyl ether 

Diethylene glycol n-propyl ether 

Dipropylene glycol butyl ether 

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether 

Polypropylene glycol methyl ether 

Triethylene glycol butyl ether 

Triethylene glycol ethyl ether 

Triethylene glycol methyl ether 

Tripropylene glycol methyl ether 

Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether acetate, Including: 

Diethylene glycol butyl ether acetate 

Diethylene glycol ethyl ether acetate 

Diethylene glycol methyl ether acetate 

Polyalkylene glycols, Polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers mixtures 

Polypropylene glycol methyl ether , see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

Polyalkyl(C10–C20) methacrylate 

Polybutenyl succinimide 

Polyether (molecular weight 2000+) 

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Polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ether 

Polyolefin amide alkeneamine (C17+) 

Polyolefin amide alkeneamine (C28+) 

Polyolefin amide alkeneamine borate (C28–C250) 

Polyolefin amide alkeneamine polyol 

Polyolefin anhydride 

Polyolefin ester (C28–C250) 

Polyolefin phenolic amine (C28–C250) 

Polyolefin phosphorosulfide, barium derivative 

Polypropylene glycol 

n-Propyl acetate 

Propylene glycol monoalkyl ether, Including: 

n-Propoxypropanol 

Propylene glycol n-butyl ether 

Propylene glycol ethyl ether 

Propylene glycol methyl ether 

Propylene glycol ethyl ether, see Propylene glycol monoalkyl ether 

Propylene glycol methyl ether, see Propylene glycol monoalkyl ether 

Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate 

Propylene glycol phenyl ether 

Sodium acetate solution 

Sodium benzoate solution 

Sodium carbonate solution 

Soybean oil (epoxidized) 

Sulfohydrocarbon (C3–C88) 

Sulfonated polyacrylate solution 

Sulfolane 

Sulfurized fat (C14–C20) 

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Sulfurized polyolefinamide alkene(C28–C250)amine 

Tallow 

Tallow fatty acid 

Tetrasodium salt of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution 

Triethylene glycol butyl ether, see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

Triethylene glycol ethyl ether, see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

Triethylene glycol methyl ether, see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

Triethyl phosphate 

Trimethylol propane polyethoxylate 

Tripropylene glycol methyl ether, see Poly(2–8)alkylene glycol monoalkyl(C1–C6) ether 

Trisodium salt of N-(Hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine triacetic acid solution 

Urea, Ammonium mono- and di-hydrogen phosphate, Potassium chloride solution 

Urea, Ammonium nitrate solution (2% or less NH3)

Urea, Ammonium phosphate solution 

Vegetable oils, n.o.s. (see also Oil, edible) 

Vegetable acid oils and distillates, n.o.s. 

Waxes: 

Candelilla 

Carnauba 

[CGD 85–010, 52 FR 7759, Mar. 12, 1987, as amended by CGD 88–100a, 54 FR 40000, Sept. 29, 

1989; 55 FR 17269, Apr. 24, 1990; CGD 92–100a, 59 FR 16986, Apr. 11, 1994; CGD 94–901, 59 FR 

45147, Aug. 31, 1994; CGD 95–901, 60 FR 34039, June 29, 1995; USCG 2000–7079, 65 FR 67155, 

Nov. 8, 2000] 

§ 151.49 Category C and D Oil-like NLSs allowed for carriage. 

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The following is a list of Category C and D Oil-like NLSs that the Coast Guard allows to be carried: 

(a) The following Category C oil-like NLSs may be carried: 

Aviation alkylates 

Cycloheptane 

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Cyclohexane 

Cyclopentane 

p-Cymene 

Ethylcyclohexane 

Heptane (all isomers) 

Heptene (all isomers) 

Hexane (all isomers) 

Hexene (all isomers) 

iso-Propylcyclohexane 

Methyl cyclohexane 

2-Methyl-1-pentene, see Hexene (all isomers) 

Nonane (all isomers) 

Octane (all isomers) 

Olefin mixtures (C5–C7) 

Pentane (all isomers) 

Pentene (all isomers) 

1-Phenyl-1-xylylethane 

Propylene dimer 

Tetrahydronaphthalene 

Toluene 

Xylenes 

(b) [Reserved] 

[CGD 85–010, 52 FR 7759, Mar. 12, 1987, as amended by CGD 88–100a, 54 FR 40001, Sept. 29, 

1989; 55 FR 17269, Apr. 24, 1990; CGD 92–100a, 59 FR 16987, Apr. 11, 1994; CGD 94–901, 59 FR 

45148, Aug. 31, 1994; CGD 95–901, 60 FR 34039, June 29, 1995; USCG 2000–7079, 65 FR 67157, 

Nov. 8, 2000; USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008] 

Garbage Pollution and Sewage 

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Source: Sections 151.51 through 151.77 and Appendix A appear by CGD 88–002, 54 FR 

18405, Apr. 28, 1989, unless otherwise noted. 

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§ 151.51 Applicability. 

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(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, §§151.51 through 151.77 apply to— 

(1) Each ship that is of United States registry or nationality, or one operated under the authority of the 

United States, including recreational vessels defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(25) and uninspected vessels 

defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(43), wherever located; and 

(2) Each ship, other than a ship referred to in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, while in the navigable 

waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States. 

(b) Sections 151.51 through 151.77 do not apply to— 

(1) A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by the United States when engaged in 

noncommercial service; or 

(2) Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL 73/78. 

Note: The Exclusive Economic Zone extends from the baseline of the territorial sea seaward 

200 miles as defined in the Presidential Proclamation 5030 of March 10, 1983 (3 CFR, 1983 

Comp. p. 22).

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990] 

§ 151.53 Special areas for Annex V of MARPOL 73/78. 

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(a) For the purposes of §§151.51 through 151.77, the special areas are the Mediterranean Sea area, the 

Baltic Sea area, the Black Sea area, the Red Sea area, the Gulfs area, the North Sea area, the Antarctic 

area, and the Wider Caribbean region, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea which are 

described in §151.06. 

(b) In accordance with paragraph (4)(b) of Regulation 5 of Annex V of MARPOL 73/78, the discharge 

restrictions in §151.71 for special areas will enter into effect when each party to MARPOL 73/78 whose 

coastline borders the special area has certified that reception facilities are available and the IMO has 

established an effective date for each special area. Notice of the effective dates for the discharge 

requirements in each special area will be published in the Federal Register and reflected in this section. 

(c) The discharge restrictions are in effect in the Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Gulfs 

and the Antarctic special areas. 

[CGD 94–056, 60 FR 43378, Aug. 21, 1995, as amended by USCG–2009–0273, 74 FR 66241, Dec. 15, 

2009] 

§ 151.55 Recordkeeping requirements. 

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(a) This section applies to the following: 

(1) Every manned oceangoing ship (other than a fixed or floating platform) of 400 gross tons and above 

that is engaged in commerce and that is documented under the laws of the United States or numbered 

by a State. 

(2) Every manned fixed or floating platform subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 

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(3) Every manned ship that is certified to carry 15 passengers or more engaged in international voyages. 

(b) The master or person in charge of each ship under paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section 

shall ensure that a written record is maintained on the ship of each of the following garbage discharge or 

disposal operations: 

(1) Discharge overboard. 

(2) Discharge to another ship. 

(3) Discharge to a reception facility. 

(4) Incineration on the ship. 

(c) The record under paragraph (b) of this section must contain the following information on each 

discharge or disposal operation: 

(1) The type of operation as described under paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section. 

(2) The date and time of the operation. 

(3) If the operation was conducted at a port, the name of the port. 

(4) If the operation was not conducted at a port, the latitude and longitude of the location where the 

operation was conducted and the estimated distance of that location from shore. If the operation 

involved off-loading to another ship, the identity of the receiving ship by name and official number. 

(5) The amount of garbage involved, described by volume in cubic meters. 

(6) For discharges into the sea, a description of the contents of the garbage, described by the following 

categories: 

(i) Plastic material. 

(ii) Floating dunnage, lining, or packing material. 

(iii) Ground paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, or other similar garbage. 

(iv) Unground paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, or other similar garbage. 

(v) Victual wastes. 

(vi) Incinerated ash. 

(vii) Incinerated plastic residue. 

(d) The record under paragraph (b) of this section must be prepared at the time of the operation, certified 

as correct by the master or person in charge of the ship, maintained on the ship for two years following 

the operation, and made available for inspection by the Coast Guard. 

[CGD 92–71, 59 FR 18703, Apr. 19, 1994, as amended by USCG–2000–7641, 66 FR 55571, Nov. 2, 

2001] 

§ 151.57 Waste management plans. 

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(a) This section applies to the following: 

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(1) Each manned oceangoing ship (other than a fixed or floating platform) of 40 feet or more in length 

that is documented under the laws of the United States or numbered by a state and that either is 

engaged in commerce or is equipped with a galley and berthing. 

(2) Each manned fixed or floating platform that is— 

(i) Documented under the laws of the United States; or 

(ii) Operating under the authority of the United States, including, but not limited to, a lease or permit 

issued by an agency of the United States. 

(b) The master or person in charge of a ship under paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section shall 

ensure that the ship is not operated unless a waste management plan meeting paragraph (c) of this 

section is on the ship and that each person handling garbage follows the plan. 

(c) Each waste management plan under paragraph (b) of this section must be in writing and— 

(1) Provide for the discharge of garbage by means that meet Annex V of MARPOL 73/78, the Act, and 

§§151.51 through 151.77; 

(2) Describe procedures for collecting, processing, storing, and discharging garbage; and 

(3) Designate the person who is in charge of carrying out the plan. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1625–0072) 

[CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990, as amended by USCG–2006–25150, 71 FR 39209, July 12, 

2006] 

§ 151.59 Placards. 

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(a) This section applies to the following: 

(1) Each manned U.S. ship (other than a fixed or floating platform) that is 26 feet or more in length. 

(2) Each manned floating platform in transit that is— 

(i) Documented under the laws of the United States; or 

(ii) Operating under the authority of the United States, including, but not limited to, a lease or permit 

issued by an agency of the United States. 

(b) The master or person in charge of each ship under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section shall 

ensure that one or more placards meeting the requirements of this section are displayed in prominent 

locations and in sufficient numbers so that they can be read by the crew and passengers. These 

locations must be readily accessible to the intended reader and may include embarkation points, food 

service facilities, garbage handling spaces, and common spaces on deck. If the Captain of the Port 

determines that the number or location of the placards is insufficient to adequately inform crew and 

passengers, the Captain of the Port may require additional placards and may specify their locations. 

(c) Each placard must be at least nine inches wide by four inches high, made of a durable material, and 

lettered with letters at least1/8inch high. 

(d) Except as under paragraph (e) of this section, the placard must notify the reader of the following: 

(1) The discharge of plastic or garbage mixed with plastic into any waters is prohibited. 

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(2) The discharge of all garbage is prohibited in the navigable waters of the United States and, in all 

other waters, within three nautical miles of the nearest land. 

(3) The discharge of dunnage, lining, and packing materials that float is prohibited within 25 nautical 

miles of the nearest land. 

(4) Other unground garbage may be discharged beyond 12 nautical miles from the nearest land. 

(5) Other garbage ground to less than one inch may be discharged beyond three nautical miles of the 

nearest land. 

(6) A person who violates the above requirements is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, and the 

criminal penalties of a class D felony. Placards installed on vessels before May 7, 1997, need not be 

replaced; and existing stocks of placards, containing previous language, may be used. When language 

on a placard is inconsistent with the language in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) due to use of a 

placard containing previous language penalty amounts contained in the CFR are controlling. 

(7) Regional, State, and local restrictions on garbage discharges also may apply. 

(e) For ships while operating on the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters, the placard 

must— 

(1) Notify the reader of the information in paragraph (d) of this section; or 

(2) Notify the reader of the following: 

(i) The discharge of all garbage into the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters is prohibited. 

(ii) A person who violates the above requirements is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, and the 

criminal penalties of a class D felony. Placards installed on vessels before May 7, 1997, need not be 

replaced; and existing stocks of placards, containing previous language, may be used. When language 

on a placard is inconsistent with the language in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) due to use of a 

placard containing previous language, penalty amounts contained in the CFR are controlling. 

[CGD 88–002A, 56 FR 8880, Mar. 1, 1991, as amended by CGD 96–052, 62 FR 16703, Apr. 8, 1997; 

62 FR 31340, June 9, 1997] 

§ 151.61 Inspection for compliance and enforcement. 

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While within the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone, a ship is subject 

to inspection by the Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency to determine if— 

(a) The ship has been operating in accordance with these regulations and has not discharged plastics or 

other garbage in violation of the provisions of the Act or Annex V of MARPOL 73/78; 

(b) Grinders or comminuters used for the discharge of garbage between 3 and 12 nautical miles from 

nearest land are capable of reducing the size of garbage so that it will pass through a screen with 

openings no greater than 25 millimeters (one inch); 

(c) Information for recordkeeping requirements, when required under §151.55, is properly and accurately 

logged; 

(d) A waste management plan, when required under §151.57, is on board and that the condition of the 

ship, equipment and operational procedures of the ship meet the plan; and 

(e) Placards, when required by §151.59, are posted on board. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18583, May 2, 1990] 

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§ 151.63 Shipboard control of garbage. 

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(a) The master, operator, or person who is in charge of a ship shall ensure that all garbage is discharged 

ashore or in accordance with §§151.66–151.73. 

(b) The following factors, among others, may be considered by enforcement personnel in evaluating 

compliance with §§151.51 through 151.77: 

(1) Records, including receipts, of garbage discharges at port reception facilities. 

(2) Records under §151.55 or log entries of garbage discharges. 

(3) The presence and operability of equipment to treat ship-generated garbage, including, but not limited 

to, incinerators, grinders, or comminuters. 

(4) The presence of and adherence to a written shipboard waste management plan. 

(5) The absence of plastics in ship stores. 

(6) Ongoing educational programs to train shipboard personnel of garbage handling procedures and the 

need for these. 

(7) The presence of shipboard spaces used for collecting, processing, storing and discharging shipgenerated garbage. 

(c) The master, operator, or person who is in charge of a ship shall ensure that if garbage is transported 

from a ship by shipboard personnel, it is properly deposited into a port or terminal's reception facility. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18583, May 2, 1990; 

CGD 92–71, 59 FR 18703, Apr. 19, 1994] 

§ 151.65 Reporting requirements. 

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The master or person who is in charge of each oceangoing ship shall notify the port or terminal, at least 

24 hours before entering the port or terminal, of the name of the ship and the estimated volume of 

garbage requiring disposal, if any of the following types of garbage are to be discharged: 

(a) Garbage regulated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture under 7 CFR 330.400 or 9 CFR 94.5. 

(b) Medical wastes. 

(c) Hazardous wastes defined in 40 CFR 261.3. 

§ 151.66 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage in the Great Lakes and other 

navigable waters. 

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(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person on board any ship may discharge garbage 

into the navigable waters of the United States. 

(b) On the United States' waters of the Great Lakes, commercial ships, excluding non-self propelled 

barges that are not part of an integrated tug and barge unit, may discharge bulk dry cargo residues in 

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accordance with this paragraph and paragraph (c) of this section. Owners and operators of ships to 

which these paragraphs apply are encouraged to minimize the volume of dry cargo residues discharged 

through the use of suitable residue control measures onboard and by loading and unloading cargo at 

facilities that use suitable shoreside residue control measures. As used in this paragraph and paragraph 

(c) of this section: 

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore means the site on or near Lake Superior administered by the 

National Park Service, less Madeline Island, and including the Wisconsin shoreline of Bayfield Peninsula 

from the point of land at 46°57'19.7" N, 90°52'51.0" W southwest along the shoreline to a point of land at 

46°52'56.4" N, 91°3'3.1" W. 

Bulk dry cargo residues means non-hazardous and non-toxic residues of dry cargo carried in bulk, 

including limestone and other clean stone, iron ore, coal, salt, and cement. It does not include residues 

of any substance known to be toxic or hazardous, such as, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, or materials 

classified as hazardous in provisions of law or treaty; 

Caribou Island and Southwest Bank Protection Area means the area enclosed by rhumb lines 

connecting the following coordinates, beginning on the northernmost point and proceeding clockwise: 

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge means the U.S. waters of the Detroit River bound by the area 

extending from the Michigan shore at the southern outlet of the Rouge River to 41°54' N, 083°06' W 

along the U.S.-Canada boundary southward and clockwise connecting points: 

Grand Portage National Monument means the site on or near Lake Superior, administered by the 

National Park Service, from a southwest corner of the monument point of land, 47°57.521' 89°41.245', to 

the northeast corner of the monument point of land, 47°57.888' 89°40.725'. 

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore means the site on or near Lake Michigan, administered by the 

National Park Service, from a point of land near Gary, Indiana at 41°42'59.4" N 086°54'59.9" W 

eastward along the shoreline to 41°37'08.8" N 087°17'18.8" W near Michigan City, Indiana. 

Integrated tug and barge unit means any tug barge combination which, through the use of special 

design features or a specially designed connection system, has increased seakeeping capabilities 

relative to a tug and barge in the conventional pushing mode; 

Isle Royale National Park means the site on or near Lake Superior, administered by the National Park 

Service, where the boundary includes any submerged lands within the territorial jurisdiction of the United 

States within four and one-half miles of the shoreline of Isle Royale and the surrounding islands, 

including Passage Island and Gull Island. 

Mile means a statute mile, and refers to the distance from the nearest land or island; 

Milwaukee Mid-Lake Special Protection Area means the area enclosed by rhumb lines connecting the 

following coordinates, beginning on the northernmost point and proceeding clockwise: 

47°30.0' N 85°50.0' W

47°24.2' N 85°38.5' W

47°04.0' N 85°49.0' W

47°05.7' N 85°59.0' W

47°18.1' N 86°05.0' W

42°02' N 083°08' W

41°54' N 083°06' W

41°50' N 083°10' W

41°44.52 N 083°22' W

41°44.19 N 083°27' W

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Northern Refuge means the area enclosed by rhumb lines connecting the coordinates, beginning on the 

northernmost point and proceeding clockwise: 

western shore of High Island, southern shore of Beaver Island: 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore means the site on or near Lake Superior, administered by the 

National Park Service, from a point of land at 46°26'21.3" N 086°36'43.2" W eastward along the 

Michigan shoreline to 46°40'22.2" N 085°59'58.1" W. 

Six Fathom Scarp Mid-Lake Special Protection Area means the area enclosed by rhumb lines 

connecting the following coordinates, beginning on the northernmost point and proceeding clockwise: 

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore means the site on or near Lake Michigan, administered by the 

National Park Service, that includes North Manitou Island, South Manitou Island and the Michigan 

shoreline from a point of land at 44°42'45.1" N 086°12'18.1" W north and eastward along the shoreline 

to 44°57'12.0" N 085°48'12.8" W. 

43°27.0' N 87°14.0' W

43°21.2' N 87°02.3' W

43°03.3' N 87°04.8' W

42°57.5' N 87°21.0' W

43°16.0' N 87°39.8' W

45°45' N 86°00' W,

45°30' N 85°30' W

45°30' N 85°15' W

45°25' N 85°15' W

45°25' N 85°20' W

45°20' N 85°20' W

45°20' N 85°40' W

45°15' N 85°40' W

45°15' N 85°50' W

45°10' N 85°50' W

45°10' N 86°00' W

44°55' N 82°33' W

44°47' N 82°18' W

44°39' N 82°13' W

44°27' N 82°13' W

44°27' N 82°20' W

44°17' N 82°25' W

44°17' N 82°30' W

44°28' N 82°40' W

44°51' N 82°44' W

44°53' N 82°44' W

44°54' N 82°40' W

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Stannard Rock Protection Area means the area within a 6 mile radius from Stannard Rock Light, at 47°

10'57" N 87°13'34" W; 

Superior Shoal Protection Area means the area within a 6 mile radius from the center of Superior Shoal, 

at 48°03.2' N 87°06.3' W; 

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary means the site on or near Lake Huron designated by the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the boundary that forms an approximately 

rectangular area by extending along the ordinary high water mark between the northern and southern 

boundaries of Alpena County, cutting across the mouths of rivers and streams, and lakeward from those 

points along latitude lines to longitude 83 degrees west. The coordinates of the boundary are: 

Waukegan Special Protection Area means the area enclosed by rhumb lines connecting the following 

coordinates, beginning on the northernmost point and proceeding clockwise: 

Western Basin means that portion of Lake Erie west of a line due south from Point Pelee. 

Table 151.66(b)—Bulk Dry Cargo Residue Discharges Allowed on the Great Lakes 

45°12'25.5" N 83°23'18.6" W

45°12'25.5" N 83°00'00" W

44°51'30.5" N 83°00'00" W

44°51'30.5" N 83°19'17.3" W

42°24.3' N 87°29.3' W

42°13.0' N 87°25.1' W

42°12.2' N 87°29.1' W

42°18.1' N 87°33.1' W

42°24.1' N 87°32.0' W; and

Location Cargo Discharge allowed except as noted

Tributaries, their 

connecting 

rivers, and St. 

Lawrence River

Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited.

Lake Ontario Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes.

 Iron ore Prohibited within 6 miles from shore.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore.

Lake Erie Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes; prohibited in the Detroit River 

International Wildlife Refuge; prohibited in 

Western Basin, except that a vessel operating 

exclusively within Western Basin may 

discharge limestone or clean stone cargo 

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residues over the dredged navigation channels 

between Toledo Harbor Light and Detroit River 

Light.

 Iron ore Prohibited within 6 miles from shore; prohibited 

in the Detroit River International Wildlife 

Refuge; prohibited in Western Basin, except 

that a vessel may discharge residue over the 

dredged navigation channels between Toledo 

Harbor Light and Detroit River Light if it 

unloads in Toledo or Detroit and immediately 

thereafter loads new cargo in Toledo, Detroit, 

or Windsor.

 Coal, salt Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore; 

prohibited in the Detroit River International 

Wildlife Refuge; prohibited in Western Basin, 

except that a vessel may discharge residue 

over the dredged navigation channels between 

Toledo Harbor Light and Detroit River Light if it 

unloads in Toledo or Detroit and immediately 

thereafter loads new cargo in Toledo, Detroit, 

or Windsor.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore; 

prohibited in the Detroit River International 

Wildlife Refuge; prohibited in Western Basin.

Lake St. Clair Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited.

Lake Huron 

except Six 

Fathom Scarp 

Mid-Lake 

Special 

Protection Area

Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes; prohibited in the Thunder Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary.

 Iron ore Prohibited within 6 miles from shore and in 

Saginaw Bay; prohibited in the Thunder Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary; prohibited for 

vessels up bound along the Michigan thumb as 

follows: 

(1) Between 5.8 miles northeast of entrance 

buoys 11 and 12 to the track line turn abeam of 

Harbor Beach, prohibited within 3 miles from 

shore; and 

(2) For vessels bound for Saginaw Bay only, 

between the track line turn abeam of Harbor 

Beach and 4 nautical miles northeast of Point 

Aux Barques Light, prohibited within 4 miles 

from shore and not less than 10 fathoms of 

depth.

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 Coal, salt Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore and in 

Saginaw Bay; prohibited in the Thunder Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary; prohibited for 

vessels up bound from Alpena into ports along 

the Michigan shore south of Forty Mile Point 

within 4 miles from shore and not less than 10 

fathoms of depth.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore and in 

Saginaw Bay; prohibited in the Thunder Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary.

Lake Michigan Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes; prohibited within the Milwaukee 

Mid-Lake and Waukegan Special Protection 

Areas; prohibited within the Northern Refuge; 

prohibited within 3 miles of the shore of the 

Indiana Dunes and Sleeping Bear National 

Lakeshores; prohibited within Green Bay.

 Iron ore Prohibited in the Northern Refuge; north of 45° 

N, prohibited within 12 miles from shore and in 

Green Bay; south of 45° N, prohibited within 6 

miles from shore, and prohibited within the 

Milwaukee Mid-Lake and Waukegan Special 

Protection Areas, in Green Bay, and within 3 

miles of the shore of Indiana Dunes and 

Sleeping Bear National Lakeshores; except 

that discharges are allowed at:

 (1) 4.75 miles off Big Sable Point Betsie, along 

established Lake Carriers Association (LCA) 

track lines; and

 (2) Along 056.25° LCA track line between due 

east of Poverty Island to a point due south of 

Port Inland Light.

 Coal Prohibited in the Northern Refuge; prohibited 

within 13.8 miles from shore and prohibited 

within the Milwaukee Mid-Lake and Waukegan 

Special Protection Areas, in Green Bay, and 

within 3 miles of the shore of Indiana Dunes 

and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshores; 

except that discharges are allowed:

 (1) Along 013.5° LCA track line between 45° N 

and Boulder Reef, and along 022.5° LCA track 

running 23.25 miles between Boulder Reef and 

the charted position of Red Buoy #2;

 (2) Along 037° LCA track line between 45°20' 

N and 45°42' N; 

(3) Along 056.25° LCA track line between 

points due east of Poverty Island to a point due 

south of Port Inland Light; and 

(4) At 3 miles from shore for coal carried 

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between Manistee and Ludington along 

customary routes.

 Salt Prohibited in the Northern Refuge; prohibited 

within 13.8 miles from shore and prohibited 

within the Milwaukee Mid-Lake and Waukegan 

Special Protection Areas, in Green Bay, and 

within 3 miles of the shore of Indiana Dunes 

and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshores, and in 

Green Bay.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited in the Northern Refuge; prohibited 

within 13.8 miles from shore and prohibited 

within the Milwaukee Mid-Lake and Waukegan 

Special Protection Areas, in Green Bay, and 

within 3 miles of the shore of Indiana Dunes 

and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshores.

Lake Superior Limestone 

and other 

clean stone

Prohibited where there is an apparent impact 

on wetlands, fish spawning areas, and potable 

water intakes; and prohibited within Isle Royal 

National Park and the Caribou Island and 

Southwest Bank, Stannard Rock, and Superior 

Shoal Protection Areas, and within 3 miles of 

the shore of the Apostle Islands and Pictured 

Rocks National Lakeshores or the Grand 

Portage National Monument.

 Iron ore Prohibited within 6 miles from shore (within 3 

miles off northwestern shore between Duluth 

and Grand Marais); and prohibited within Isle 

Royal National Park and the Caribou Island 

and Southwest Bank, Stannard Rock, and 

Superior Shoal Protection Areas, and within 3 

miles of the shore of the Apostle Islands and 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores or the 

Grand Portage National Monument.

 Coal, salt Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore (within 

3 miles off northwestern shore between Duluth 

and Grand Marais); and prohibited within Isle 

Royal National Park and the Caribou Island 

and Southwest Bank, Stannard Rock, and 

Superior Shoal Protection Areas, and within 3 

miles of the shore of the Apostle Islands and 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores or the 

Grand Portage National Monument.

 Cement Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore (within 

3 miles offshore west of a line due north from 

Bark Point); and prohibited within Isle Royal 

National Park and the Caribou Island and 

Southwest Bank, Stannard Rock, and Superior 

Shoal Protection Areas, and within 3 miles of 

the shore of the Apostle Islands and Pictured 

Rocks National Lakeshores or the Grand 

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(c)(1) The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of any commercial ship loading, unloading, or 

discharging bulk dry cargo in the United States' waters of the Great Lakes and the master, owner, 

operator, or person in charge of a U.S. commercial ship transporting bulk dry cargo and operating 

anywhere on the Great Lakes, excluding non-self propelled barges that are not part of an integrated tug 

and barge unit, must ensure that a written record is maintained on the ship that fully and accurately 

records information on: 

(i) Each loading or unloading operation on the United States' waters of the Great Lakes, or in the case of 

U.S. commercial ships on any waters of the Great Lakes, involving bulk dry cargo; and 

(ii) Each discharge of bulk dry cargo residue that takes place in United States' waters of the Great 

Lakes, or in the case of U.S. commercial ships on any waters of the Great Lakes. 

(2) For each loading or unloading operation, the record must describe: 

(i) The date of the operation; 

(ii) Whether the operation involved loading or unloading; 

(iii) The name of the loading or unloading facility; 

(iv) The type of bulk dry cargo loaded or unloaded; 

(v) The method or methods used to control the amount of bulk dry cargo residue, either onboard the ship 

or at the facility; 

(vi) The time spent to implement methods for controlling the amount of bulk dry cargo residue; and 

(vii) The estimated volume of bulk dry cargo residue created by the loading or unloading operation that is 

to be discharged. 

(3) For each discharge, the record must describe: 

(i) The date and time the discharge started, and the date and time the discharge ended; 

(ii) The ship's position, in latitude and longitude, when the discharge started and when the discharge 

ended; and 

(iii) The ship's speed during the discharge. 

(iv) Records must be kept on Coast Guard Form CG–33, which can be found at 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg522/cg5224/dry_cargo.asp . The records must be certified by the master, 

owner, operator, or person in charge and kept in written form onboard the ship for at least two years. 

Copies of the records must be forwarded to the Coast Guard at least once each quarter, no later than 

the 15th day of January, April, July, and October. The record copies must be provided to the Coast 

Guard using only one of the following means: 

(A) E-mail to DCRRecordkeeping@USCG.mil ; 

Portage National Monument.

 All other 

cargos

Prohibited within 13.8 miles from shore; and 

prohibited within Isle Royal National Park and 

the Caribou Island and Southwest Bank, 

Stannard Rock, and Superior Shoal Protection 

Areas, and within 3 miles of the shore of the 

Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks National 

Lakeshores or the Grand Portage National 

Monument.

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(B) Fax to (202) 372–1926, ATTN: DCR RECORDKEEPING; or 

(C) Mail to U.S. Coast Guard: Commandant (CG–522), ATTN: DCR RECORDKEEPING, 2100 2nd St., 

SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593–7126. 

[USCG–2004–19621, 73 FR 56498, Sept. 29, 2008, as amended at USCG–2010–0351, 75 FR 36284, 

June 25, 2010] 

§ 151.67 Operating requirements: Discharge of plastic prohibited. 

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No person on board any ship may discharge into the sea, or into the navigable waters of the United 

States, plastic or garbage mixed with plastic, including, but not limited to, synthetic ropes, synthetic 

fishing nets, and plastic garbage bags. All garbage containing plastics requiring disposal must be 

discharged ashore or incinerated. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18583, May 2, 1990] 

§ 151.69 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas. 

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(a) When operating outside of a special area specified in §151.53, no person may discharge, into the 

sea, garbage that is separated from plastic, if the distance from nearest land is less than— 

(1) 25 nautical miles for dunnage, lining and packing materials that float; or 

(2) 12 nautical miles for victual wastes and all other garbage including paper products, rags, glass, 

metal, bottles, crockery and similar refuse, except that, such garbage may be discharged outside of 

three nautical miles from nearest land after it has been passed through a grinder or comminuter 

specified in §151.75. 

(b) Mixtures of garbage having different discharge requirements under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this 

section must be— 

(1) Retained on board for later disposal ashore; or 

(2) Discharged in accordance with the more stringent requirement prescribed by paragraph (a)(1) or (a)

(2) of this section. 

§ 151.71 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage within special areas. 

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(a) When a ship is located in a special area referenced in §151.53 of this part, no person may discharge 

garbage from the ship, except as allowed in paragraph (b) or (c) in this section. 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, disposal into the sea of victual waste must be 

made as far as practicable from land but, in any case, not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest 

land. 

(c) Disposal into the Wider Caribbean region of victual wastes which have been passed through a 

comminuter or grinder shall be made as far as practicable from land but, in any case, not less than 3 

nautical miles from the nearest land. Such comminuted or ground food wastes shall be capable of 

passing through a screen with opening no greater than 25 millimeters. 

[CGD 94–056, 60 FR 43378, Aug. 21, 1995] 

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§ 151.73 Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating 

platforms. 

 top

(a) Except as allowed in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may discharge garbage from— 

(1) A fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing 

of seabed mineral resources; or 

(2) Any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms. 

(b) Victual waste may be discharged into the sea from a ship or fixed or floating platform regulated by 

paragraph (a) of this section if— 

(1) It passes through a comminuter or grinder meeting §151.75; and 

(2) That ship or fixed or floating platform is beyond 12 nautical miles from nearest land. 

§ 151.75 Grinders or comminuters. 

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Each grinder or comminuter used to discharge garbage in accordance with §151.69(a)(2) or §151.73(b)

(1), must be capable of processing garbage so that it passes through a screen with openings no greater 

than 25 millimeters (one inch). 

§ 151.77 Exceptions for emergencies. 

 top

Sections 151.67, 151.69 and 151.71 do not apply to the following: 

(a) Discharges of garbage from a ship for the purpose of securing the safety of the ship and those on 

board or saving life at sea. 

(b) The escape of garbage resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment, if all reasonable 

precautions have been taken before and after the occurrence of the damage, to prevent or minimize the 

escape. 

(c) The accidental loss of synthetic fishing nets, provided all reasonable precautions have been taken to 

prevent such loss. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88–002A, 55 FR 18583, May 2, 1990; 

CGD 90–054, 56 FR 19578, Apr. 29, 1991] 

Appendix A to §§151.51 through 151.77—Summary of Garbage Discharge Restrictions 

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Garbage Type

All Vessels Except Fixed or 

Floating Platforms and 

Associated Vessels Fixed or Floating 

Platforms & Assoc. 

Vessels3(33 CFR 

151.73)

Outside special 

areas (33 CFR 

151.69)

In special 

areas2(33 CFR 

151.71)

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Note 1: Comminuted or ground garbage must be able to pass through a screen with a mesh size no 

larger than 25 mm. (1 inch) (33 CFR 151.75) 

Note 2: Special areas under Annex V are the Mediterranean, Baltic, Black, Red, and North Seas areas 

and the Gulfs area. (33 CFR 151.53) 

Note 3: Fixed or floating platforms and associated vessels includes all fixed or floating platforms 

engaged in exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources, and 

all ships within 500m of such platforms. 

Note 4: When garbage is mixed with other harmful substances having different disposal or discharge 

requirements, the more stringent disposal restrictions shall apply. 

[CGD 88–002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 90–054, 56 FR 19578, Apr. 29, 1991] 

§ 151.79 Operating requirements: Discharge of sewage within Antarctica. 

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(a) A vessel certified to carry more than 10 persons must not discharge untreated sewage into the sea 

Plastics—includes 

synthetic ropes 

and fishing nets 

and plastic bags.

Disposal prohibited

(33 CFR 151.67).

Disposal 

prohibited 

(33 CFR 

151.67).

Disposal prohibited 

(33 CFR 151.67).

Dunnage, lining 

and packing 

materials that 

float.

Disposal prohibited 

less than 25 miles 

from nearest land 

and in the navigable 

waters of the U.S.

Disposal 

prohibited 

(33 CFR 

151.71).

Disposal prohibited.

Paper, rags, glass, 

metal bottles, 

crockery and 

similar refuse.

Disposal prohibited 

less than 12 miles 

from nearest land 

and in the navigable 

waters of the U.S.

Disposal 

prohibited 

(33 CFR 

151.71).

Disposal prohibited.

Paper, rags, glass, 

etc. comminuted 

or ground.1

Disposal prohibited 

less than 3 miles 

from nearest land 

and in the navigable 

waters of the U.S.

Disposal 

prohibited 

(33 CFR 

151.71).

Disposal prohibited.

Victual waste not 

comminuted or 

ground.

Disposal prohibited 

less than 12 miles 

from nearest land 

and in the navigable 

waters of the U.S.

Disposal 

prohibited less 

than 12 miles 

from nearest 

land.

Disposal prohibited.

Victual waste 

comminuted or 

ground.1

Disposal prohibited 

less than 3 miles 

from nearest land 

and in the navigable 

waters of the U.S.

Disposal 

prohibited less 

than 12 miles 

from nearest 

land.

Disposal prohibited 

less than 12 miles 

from nearest land 

and in the navigable 

waters of the U.S.

Mixed garbage 

types.4

See Note 4. See Note 4. See Note 4.

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within 12 nautical miles of Antarctic land or ice shelves; beyond such distance, sewage stored in a 

holding tank must not be discharged instantaneously but at a moderate rate and, where practicable, 

while the ship is en route at a speed of no less than 4 knots. For purposes of this section, “sewage” 

means: 

(1) Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets, urinals, and WC scuppers; 

(2) Drainage from medical premises (dispensary, sick bay, etc.) via wash basins, wash tubs, and 

scuppers located in such premises; 

(3) Drainage from spaces containing living animals; or 

(4) Other waste waters when mixed with the drainages defined above. 

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to a warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or 

operated by the United States and used only in government non-commercial service. 

(c) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply in cases of an emergency relating to the safety of a ship 

and those on board or saving life at sea. Notice of an activity, otherwise prohibited under paragraph (a) 

of this section, undertaken in case of an emergency shall be reported immediately to the National 

Response Center (NRC) toll free telephone number : 800–424–8802, direct telephone: 202–267–2675, 

or Fax: 202–267–1322. 

[CGD 97–015, 62 FR 18045, Apr. 14, 1997, as amended by USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 

2008] 

Subpart B—Transportation of Municipal and Commercial Waste 

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Authority: 33 U.S.C. 2602; 49 CFR 1.46. 

Source: CGD 89–014, 54 FR 22548, May 24, 1989, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 151.1000 Purpose. 

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The purpose of this subpart is to implement the permit provisions of the Shore Protection Act of 1988, 

(33 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ). 

[CGD 89–014, 54 FR 22548, May 24, 1989, as amended by USCG–2001–9286, 66 FR 33641, June 25, 

2001] 

§ 151.1003 Applicability. 

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(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, this subpart applies to each vessel whose 

purpose is the transportation of municipal or commercial waste in coastal waters. 

(b) This subpart does not apply to public vessels. 

§ 151.1006 Definitions. 

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As used in this subpart— 

Coastal waters means— 

(1) The territorial sea of the United States; 

(2) The Great Lakes and their connecting waters; 

(3) The marine and estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal influence; and 

(4) The Exclusive Economic Zone as established by Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated 

March 10, 1983. 

Note: The Exclusive Economic Zone extends from the baseline of the territorial sea of the 

United States seaward 200 miles.

Municipal and commercial waste means solid waste as defined in section 1004 of the Solid Waste 

Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6903) except— 

(1) Solid waste identified and listed under section 3001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 

6921); 

(2) Waste generated by a vessel during normal operations; 

(3) Debris solely from construction activities; 

(4) Sewage sludge subject to regulation under title I of the Marine Protection, Research, and 

Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq. ); and 

(5) Dredge or fill material subject to regulation under title I of the Marine Protection, Research and 

Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq. ), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 

1251 et seq. ), or the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq. ). 

Public vessel means a vessel that— 

(1) Is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government or a government of a 

foreign country; and 

(2) Is not engaged in commercial service. 

Vessel means every description of watercraft or other artifical contrivance used, or capable of being 

used, as a means of transportation on water. 

[CGD 89–014, 54 FR 22548, May 24, 1989, as amended by USCG–2001–9286, 66 FR 33641, June 25, 

2001] 

§ 151.1009 Transportation of municipal or commercial waste. 

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A vessel may not transport municipal or commercial waste in coastal waters without— 

(a) A conditional permit to transport municpal or commercial waste issued under this subpart; and 

(b) Displaying a number in accordance with §151.1024. 

[CGD 89–014, 54 FR 22548, May 24, 1989; CGD 89–014, 54 FR 24078, June 5, 1989] 

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§ 151.1012 Applying for a conditional permit. 

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(a) The owner or operator of each vessel to which this subpart applies shall apply by letter for a 

conditional permit required by §151.1009. Applications must be submitted to Commandant (CG–5431), 

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 2nd St., SW., Stop 7581, Washington, DC 20593–7581, Attn: 

Shore Protection Act Desk and include the following: 

(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the vessel owner and operator. 

(2) The vessel's name and official number, if any. 

(3) The vessel's area of operation. 

(4) The vessel's transport capacity. 

(5) A history of the types of cargo transported by the vessel during the previous year, including 

identifying the type of municipal or commercial waste transported as— 

(i) Municipal waste; 

(ii) Commercial waste; 

(iii) Medical waste; or 

(iv) Waste of another character. 

(6) The types of cargo to be transported by the vessel during the effective period of the conditional 

permit, including identifying the type of municipal or commercial waste as it is identified in paragraphs (a)

(5)(i) through (iv) of this section. 

(7) A statement of whether the application for a conditional permit is for a single voyage, a short term 

operation or a continuing operation. If the application is for a single voyage or a short term operation, the 

statement must include the duration of the voyage or operation. 

(8) An acknowledgment that certifies as to the truthfulness and accuracy of the information provided. 

(b) The owner or operator under paragraph (a) of this section shall provide any additional information the 

Coast Guard may require. 

[CGD 89–014, 54 FR 22548, May 24, 1989, as amended by CGD 96–026, 61 FR 33665, June 28, 1996; 

USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008; USCG–2010–0351, 75 FR 36284, June 25, 2010] 

§ 151.1015 Issuing or denying the issuance of a conditional permit. 

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(a) After reviewing the application made under §151.1012, the Coast Guard either— 

(1) Issues the conditional permit for a vessel under this section; or 

(2) Denies the issuance of the conditional permit to the vessel in accordance with paragraph (c) of this 

section. On denying the issuance of the permit, the Coast Guard notifies the applicant of the— 

(i) Denial and the reason for the denial; and 

(ii) Procedures under §151.1021 for appealing the denial. 

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(b) Each conditional permit issued under this section is effective— 

(1) On the date it is issued; and 

(2) Until the expiration date stated on the conditional permit unless it is— 

(i) Withdrawn under §151.1018; 

(ii) Terminated because— 

(A) The vessel is sold; or 

(B) This subpart no longer applies to the vessel. 

(c) The Coast Guard may deny the issuance of a conditional permit if— 

(i) The application does not contain the information required under §151.1012; or 

(ii) There is reason to believe that the information contained on the application is not true and correct. 

§ 151.1018 Withdrawal of a conditional permit. 

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(a) The Coast Guard may withdraw a conditional permit if the Administrator of the EPA requests 

withdrawal because the Administrator has determined that the owner or operator of the vessel has a 

record or a pattern of serious violations of— 

(1) Subtitle A of the Shore Protection Act of 1988 (33 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ); 

(2) The Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. ); 

(3) The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq. ); 

(4) The Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq. ); or 

(5) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ). 

(b) Upon reaching a determination to withdraw a conditional permit, the Coast Guard notifies the owner 

or operator of— 

(1) The withdrawal and the reason for the withdrawal; 

(2) The procedures for appealing the withdrawal. 

(c) After receiving the notice under paragraph (b) of this section, the owner or operator shall ensure 

that— 

(1) The vessel immediately ceases transporting municipal or commercial waste and the marking 

required by §151.1024 is removed; and 

(2) The conditional permit is returned to the Coast Guard within 5 days after receiving the notice. 

§ 151.1021 Appeals. 

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(a) Any person directly affected by an action taken under this subpart may request reconsideration by 

the Coast Guard officer responsible for that action. 

(b) The person affected who is not satisfied with a ruling after having it reconsidered under paragraph (a) 

of this section may— 

(1) Appeal that ruling in writing within 30 days after the ruling to the Assistant Commandant for Marine 

Safety, Security, and Stewardship (CG–5), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 2nd St., SW., Stop 

7355, Washington, DC 20593–7355; and 

(2) Supply supporting documentation and evidence that the appellant wishes to have considered. 

(c) After reviewing the appeal submitted under paragraph (b) of this section, the Assistant Commandant 

for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection issues a ruling which is final agency action. 

(d) If the delay in presenting a written appeal has an adverse impact on the operations of the appellent, 

the appeal under paragraph (b) of this section— 

(1) May be presented orally; and 

(2) Must be submitted in writing within five days after the oral presentation— 

(i) With the basis for the appeal and a summary of the material presented orally; and 

(ii) To the same Coast Guard official who heard the oral presentation. 

[CGD 89–014, 54 FR 22548, May 24, 1989, as amended by CGD 96–026, 61 FR 33665, June 28, 1996; 

CGD 97–023, 62 FR 33363, June 19, 1997; USCG–2002–12471, 67 FR 41332, June 18, 2002; USCG–

2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008; USCG–2010–0351, 75 FR 36284, June 25, 2010] 

§ 151.1024 Display of number. 

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(a) The owner or operator of each vessel under this subpart must ensure that the vessel number stated 

on the conditional permit issued under §151.1015 is displayed so that it— 

(1) Is clearly legible; 

(2) Has a contrasting background; 

(3) Is readily visible from either side of the vessel; and 

(4) Is in block figures that are at least 18 inches in height. 

(b) No person may tamper with or falsify a number required under this section. 

Subpart C—Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species in the 

Great Lakes and Hudson River 

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Authority: 16 U.S.C. 4711; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

Source: CGD 91–066, 58 FR 18334, Apr. 8, 1993, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 151.1500 Purpose. 

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The purpose of this subpart is to implement the provisions of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance 

Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq. ). 

§ 151.1502 Applicability. 

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This subpart applies to each vessel that carries ballast water and that after operating on the waters 

beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone during any part of its voyage enters the Snell Lock at Massena, 

New York, or navigates north of the George Washington Bridge on the Hudson River, regardless of 

other port calls in the United States or Canada during that voyage. 

[CGD 94–003, 59 FR 67634, Dec. 30, 1994] 

§ 151.1504 Definitions. 

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The following terms are defined as used in this subpart. 

Ballast water means any water and suspended matter taken on board a vessel to control or maintain, 

trim, draught, stability, or stresses of the vessel, regardless of how it is carried. 

Ballast tank means any tank or hold on a vessel used for carrying ballast water, whether or not the tank 

or hold was designed for that purpose. 

Captain of the Port (COTP) means the Coast Guard officer designated as COTP of either the Buffalo, 

NY, Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone or the New York, NY, Captain of the Port 

Zone described in part 3 of this chapter or an official designated by the COTP. 

Commandant means the Commandant of the Coast Guard or an authorized representative. 

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) means the area established by Presidential Proclamation Number 

5030, dated March 10, 1983, (48 FR 10605, 3 CFR, 1983 Comp., p. 22), which extends from the base 

line of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 miles, and the equivalent zone of Canada. 

Environmentally sound method means methods, efforts, actions, or programs, either to prevent 

introductions or to control infestations of aquatic nuisance species, that minimize adverse impacts to the 

structure and function of an ecosystem, minimize adverse effects on non-target organisms and 

ecosystems, and that emphasize integrated pest management techniques and non-chemical measures. 

Great Lakes means Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron (including Lake Saint Clair), Lake Michigan, 

Lake Superior, and the connecting channels (Saint Mary's River, Saint Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara 

River, and Saint Lawrence River to the Canadian border), and includes all other bodies of water within 

the drainage basin of such lakes and connecting channels. 

Port means a terminal or group of terminals or any place or facility that has been designated as a port by 

the COTP. 

Sediments means any matter settled out of ballast water within a vessel. 

Voyage means any transit by a vessel destined for the Great Lakes or the Hudson River, north of the 

George Washington Bridge, from a port or place outside of the EEZ, including intermediate stops at a 

port or place within the EEZ. 

[CGD 91–066, 58 FR 18334, Apr. 8, 1993, as amended by CGD 94–003, 59 FR 67634, Dec. 30, 1994; 

USCG–1998–3423, 64 FR 26682, May 17, 1999] 

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§ 151.1506 Restriction of operation. 

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No vessel subject to the requirements of this subpart may be operated in the Great Lakes or the Hudson 

River, north of the George Washington Bridge, unless the master of the vessel has certified, in 

accordance with §151.1516, that the requirements of this subpart have been met. 

[CGD 94–003, 59 FR 67634, Dec. 30, 1994] 

§ 151.1508 Revocation of clearance. 

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A COTP may request the District Director of Customs to withhold or revoke the clearance required by 46 

U.S.C. app. 91 for a vessel subject to this subpart, the owner or operator of which is not in compliance 

with the requirements of this subpart. 

§ 151.1510 Ballast water management. 

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(a) The master of each vessel subject to this subpart shall employ one of the following ballast water 

management practices: 

(1) Carry out an exchange of ballast water on the waters beyond the EEZ, from an area more than 200 

nautical miles from any shore, and in waters more than 2,000 meters (6,560 feet, 1,093 fathoms) deep, 

prior to entry into the Snell Lock, at Massena, New York, or prior to navigating on the Hudson River, 

north of the George Washington Bridge, such that, at the conclusion of the exchange, any tank from 

which ballast water will be discharged contains water with a minimum salinity level of 30 parts per 

thousand. 

(2) Retain the vessel's ballast water on board the vessel. If this method of ballast water management is 

employed, the COTP may seal any tank or hold containing ballast water on board the vessel for the 

duration of the voyage within the waters of the Great Lakes or the Hudson River, north of the George 

Washington Bridge. 

(3) Use an alternative environmentally sound method of ballast water management that has been 

submitted to, and approved by, the Commandant prior to the vessel's voyage. Requests for approval of 

alternative ballast water management methods must be submitted to the Commandant (CG–5), 2100 

2nd Street, SW., Stop 7355, Washington, DC 20593–7355. 

(b) No master of a vessel subject to this subpart shall separately discharge sediment from tanks or holds 

containing ballast water unless it is disposed of ashore in accordance with local requirements. 

(c) Nothing in this subpart authorizes the discharge of oil or noxious liquid substances (NLSs) in a 

manner prohibited by United States or international laws or regulations. Ballast water carried in any tank 

containing a residue of oil, NLSs, or any other pollutant must be discharged in accordance with the 

applicable regulations. Nothing in this subpart affects or supersedes any requirement or prohibitions 

pertaining to the discharge of ballast water into the waters of the United States under the Federal Water 

Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ). 

[CGD 91–066, 58 FR 18334, Apr. 8, 1993, as amended by CGD 94–003, 59 FR 67634, Dec. 30, 1994; 

USCG–1998–3423, 66 FR 58390, Nov. 21, 2001; USCG–2010–0351, 75 FR 36284, June 25, 2010] 

§ 151.1512 Vessel safety. 

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Nothing in this subpart relieves the master of the responsibility for ensuring the safety and stability of the 

vessel or the safety of the crew and passengers, or any other responsibility. 

§ 151.1514 Ballast water management alternatives under extraordinary conditions. 

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The master of any vessel subject to this subpart who, due to weather, equipment failure, or other 

extraordinary conditions, is unable to effect a ballast water exchange before entering the EEZ, must 

employ another method of ballast water management listed in §151.1510, or request from the COTP 

permission to exchange the vessel's ballast water within an area agreed to by the COTP at the time of 

the request and must discharge the vessel's ballast water within that designated area. 

§ 151.1516 Compliance monitoring. 

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(a) The master of each vessel equipped with ballast tanks shall provide, as detailed in §151.2040, the 

following information, in written form, to the COTP: 

(1) The vessel's name, port of registry, and official number or call sign. 

(2) The name of the vessel's owner(s). 

(3) Whether ballast water is being carried. 

(4) The original location and salinity, if known, of ballast water taken on, before an exchange. 

(5) The location, date, and time of any ballast water exchange. 

(6) The salinity of any ballast water to be discharged into the territorial waters of the United States. 

(7) The intended discharge port for ballast water and location for disposal of sediment carried upon entry 

into the territorial waters of the United States, if ballast water or sediment are to be discharged. 

(8) The signature of the master attesting to the accuracy of the information provided and certifying 

compliance with the requirements of this subpart. 

(b) The COTP may take samples of ballast water to assess the compliance with, and the effectiveness 

of, this subpart. 

[CGD 91–066, 58 FR 18334, Apr. 8, 1993, as amended by USCG–1998–3423, 66 FR 58391, Nov. 21, 

2001; USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32869, June 14, 2004] 

§ 151.1518 Penalties for failure to conduct ballast water management. 

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(a) A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $27,500. 

Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation. A vessel operated in violation of the 

regulations is liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed under this subpart for that violation. 

(b) A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony. 

[USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32869, June 14, 2004] 

Subpart D—Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species in Waters 

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of the United States 

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Authority: 16 U.S.C. 4711; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

Source: USCG–1998–3423, 64 FR 26682, May 17, 1999, unless otherwise noted. 

§ 151.2000 What is the purpose of this subpart? 

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This subpart implements the provisions of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control 

Act of 1990 (NANPCA) (16 U.S.C. 4701–4751), as amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 

1996 (NISA). 

§ 151.2005 To which vessels does this subpart apply? 

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Unless exempted in §151.2010 or §151.2015, this subpart applies to all vessels, U.S. and foreign, 

equipped with ballast tanks, that operate in the waters of the United States and are bound for ports or 

places in the United States. 

[USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32869, June 14, 2004] 

§ 151.2007 What are the penalties for violations of the mandatory provisions of this 

subpart? 

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(a) A person who violates this subpart is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $ 27,500. Each day of a 

continuing violation constitutes a separate violation. A vessel operated in violation of the regulations is 

liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed under this subpart for that violation. 

(b) A person who knowingly violates the regulations of this subpart is guilty of a class C felony. 

[USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32869, June 14, 2004] 

§ 151.2010 Which vessels are exempt from the mandatory requirements? 

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(a) Two types of vessels are exempt from the requirements in §§151.2035, 151.2040, and 151.2045: 

(1) A crude oil tanker engaged in the coastwise trade. 

(2) A Department of Defense or Coast Guard vessel subject to the requirements of section 1103 of the 

Act, or any vessel of the Armed Forces, as defined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 

1322(a)) that is subject to the “Uniform National Discharge Standards for Vessels of the Armed 

Forces” (33 U.S.C. 1322(n)). 

(b) One type of vessel is exempt from the requirements in §§151.2040 and 151.2045: 

(1) A vessel that operates exclusively within one Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone. 

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(2) [Reserved] 

[USCG–2007–28201, 72 FR 27739, May 17, 2007] 

§ 151.2015 Is a vessel in innocent passage exempt from the mandatory requirements? 

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A foreign vessel merely traversing the territorial sea of the U.S. ( i.e. , not entering or departing a U.S. 

port, or not navigating the internal waters of the U.S.) is exempt from the requirements of this subpart. 

[USCG–2003–14273, 69 FR 44961, July 28, 2004] 

§ 151.2025 What definitions apply to this subpart? 

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(a) Unless otherwise stated in this section, the definitions in 33 CFR 151.1504, 33 CFR 160.203, and the 

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea apply to this part. 

(b) As used in this part— 

ANSTF means the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force mandated under the Nonindigenous Aquatic 

Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA). 

Ballast tank means any tank or hold on a vessel used for carrying ballast water, whether or not the tank 

or hold was designed for that purpose. 

Captain of the Port (COTP) means the Coast Guard officer designated as the COTP, or a person 

designated by that officer, for the COTP zone covering the U.S. port of destination. These COTP zones 

are listed in 33 CFR part 3. 

Exchange means to replace the water in a ballast tank using one of the following methods: 

(1) Flow through exchange means to flush out ballast water by pumping in mid-ocean water at the 

bottom of the tank and continuously overflowing the tank from the top until three full volumes of water 

has been changed—to minimize the number of original organisms remaining in the tank. 

(2) Empty/refill exchange means to pump out the ballast water taken on in ports, estuarine, or territorial 

waters until the tank is empty, then refilling it with mid-ocean water; masters/operators should pump out 

as close to 100 percent of the ballast water as is safe to do so. 

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) means the area established by Presidential Proclamation Number 

5030, dated March 10, 1983 (48 FR 10605, 3 CFR, 1983 Comp., p. 22) which extends from the base 

line of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 miles, and the equivalent zone of Canada. 

IMO guidelines mean the Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water to 

Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens (IMO Resolution A.868 (20), 

adopted November 1997). 

NANPCA means the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. 

NBIC means the National Ballast Water Information Clearinghouse operated by the Coast Guard and 

the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center as mandated under NISA. 

NISA means the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, which reauthorized and amended NANPCA. 

Port or place of departure means any port or place in which a vessel is anchored or moored. 

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Port or place of destination means any port or place to which a vessel is bound to anchor or moor. 

United States means the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, 

American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. 

Voyage means any transit by a vessel destined for any United States port or place. 

Waters of the United States means waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States as defined in 

33 CFR §2.38, including the navigable waters of the United States. For this regulation, the navigable 

waters include the territorial sea as extended to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, pursuant to 

Presidential Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988. 

[USCG–1998–3423, 64 FR 26682, May 17, 1999, as amended by USCG–2003–15404, 68 FR 37741, 

June 25, 2003; USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32869, June 14, 2004; USCG–2003–14273, 69 FR 44961, 

July 28, 2004] 

§ 151.2030 Who is responsible for determining when to use the safety exemption? 

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(a) The master, operator, or person-in-charge of a vessel is responsible for the safety of the vessel, its 

crew, and its passengers. 

(b) The master, operator, or person-in-charge of a vessel is not required to conduct a ballast water 

management practice (including exchange), if the master decides that the practice would threaten the 

safety of the vessel, its crew, or its passengers because of adverse weather, vessel design limitations, 

equipment failure, or any other extraordinary conditions. If the master uses this section, and the— 

(1) Vessel is on a voyage to the Great Lakes or Hudson River, the vessel must comply with the 

requirements of §151.1514 of subpart C of this part (Ballast water management alternatives under 

extraordinary conditions); or 

(2) Vessel is on a voyage to any port other than the Great Lakes or Hudson River, the vessel shall not 

be required to perform a ballast water management practice which the master has found to threaten the 

safety of the vessel, its crew, or its passengers because of adverse weather, vessel design limitations, 

equipment failure, or any other extraordinary conditions. 

(c) Nothing in this subpart relieves the master, operator, or person-in-charge of a vessel, of the 

responsibility for ensuring the safety and stability of the vessel or the safety of the crew and passengers, 

or any other responsibility. 

§ 151.2035 What are the required ballast water management practices for my vessel? 

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(a) Masters, owners, operators, or persons-in-charge of all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks 

that operate in the waters of the U.S. must: 

(1) Avoid the discharge or uptake of ballast water in areas within or that may directly affect marine 

sanctuaries, marine preserves, marine parks, or coral reefs. 

(2) Minimize or avoid uptake of ballast water in the following areas and situations: 

(i) Areas known to have infestations or populations of harmful organisms and pathogens (e.g., toxic algal 

blooms). 

(ii) Areas near sewage outfalls. 

(iii) Areas near dredging operations. 

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(iv) Areas where tidal flushing is known to be poor or times when a tidal stream is known to be more 

turbid. 

(v) In darkness when bottom-dwelling organisms may rise up in the water column. 

(vi) Where propellers may stir up the sediment. 

(vii) Areas with pods of whales, convergence zones, and boundaries of major currents. 

(3) Clean the ballast tanks regularly to remove sediments. Clean the tanks in mid-ocean or under 

controlled arrangements in port, or at dry dock. Dispose of your sediments in accordance with local, 

State, and Federal regulations. 

(4) Discharge only the minimal amount of ballast water essential for vessel operations while in the 

waters of the United States. 

(5) Rinse anchors and anchor chains when you retrieve the anchor to remove organisms and sediments 

at their place of origin. 

(6) Remove fouling organisms from hull, piping, and tanks on a regular basis and dispose of any 

removed substances in accordance with local, State and Federal regulations. 

(7) Maintain a ballast water management plan that has been developed specifically for the vessel that 

will allow those responsible for the plan's implementation to understand and follow the vessel's ballast 

water management strategy. 

(8) Train the master, operator, person-in-charge, and crew, on the application of ballast water and 

sediment management and treatment procedures. 

(b) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, if the vessel carries ballast water that 

was taken on in areas less than 200 nautical miles from any shore into the waters of the U.S. after 

operating beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone, you (the master, operator, or person-in-charge of a 

vessel) must employ at least one of the following ballast water management practices: 

(1) Perform complete ballast water exchange in an area no less than 200 nautical miles from any shore 

prior to discharging ballast water in U.S. waters; 

(2) Retain ballast water onboard the vessel; or 

(3) Prior to the vessel entering U.S. waters, use an alternative environmentally sound method of ballast 

water management that has been approved by the Coast Guard. 

[USCG–1998–3423, 64 FR 26682, May 17, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 58391, Nov. 21, 2001; USCG–

2003–14273, 69 FR 44961, July 28, 2004; USCG–2002–14273, 69 FR 60309, Oct. 8, 2004] 

§ 151.2036 If my voyage does not take me into waters 200 nautical miles or greater 

from any shore, must I divert to conduct a ballast water exchange? 

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A vessel will not be required to deviate from its voyage, or delay the voyage, in order to conduct a ballast 

water exchange. 

[USCG–2003–14273, 69 FR 44961, July 28, 2004] 

§ 151.2037 If my vessel cannot conduct ballast water management practices because 

of its voyage and/or safety concerns, will I be prohibited from discharging ballast 

water? 

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(a) A vessel that cannot practicably meet the requirements of §151.2035(b)(1) because its voyage does 

not take it into waters 200 nautical miles or greater from any shore for a sufficient length of time and 

elects to retain ballast water on board, or because of the safety concerns contained in §151.2030, will 

not be prohibited from the discharge of ballast water in areas other than the Great Lakes and the 

Hudson River. However, the vessel must discharge only that amount of ballast water operationally 

necessary to ensure the safety of the vessels for cargo operations and make ballast water records 

available to the local Captain of the Port upon request. 

(b) A vessel that cannot practicably meet the requirements of §151.2035(b)(3) because its alternative 

environmentally sound ballast water management method is inoperable must employ one of the other 

ballast water management practices stated in §151.2035(b). If the vessel cannot employ other ballast 

water management practices due to voyage or safety concerns, the vessel will not be prohibited from the 

discharge of ballast water in areas other than the Great Lakes and the Hudson River. However, the 

vessel must discharge only that amount of ballast water operationally necessary to ensure the safety of 

the vessels for cargo operations and make ballast water records available to the local Captain of the 

Port upon request. 

[USCG–2003–14273, 69 FR 44961, July 28, 2004] 

§ 151.2040 What are the mandatory ballast water management requirements for 

vessels equipped with ballast tanks that operate in the waters of the United States and 

are bound for ports or places in the United States? 

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(a) A vessel bound for the Great Lakes or Hudson River, which has operated beyond the EEZ (which 

includes the equivalent zone of Canada) during any part of its voyage regardless of intermediate ports of 

call within the waters of the United States or Canada, must comply with §§151.2041 and 151.2045 of 

this subpart, as well as with the provisions of subpart C of this part. 

(b) A vessel engaged in the foreign export of Alaskan North Slope Crude Oil must comply with 

§§151.2041 and 151.2045 of this subpart, as well as with the provisions of 15 CFR 754.2(j)(1)(iii). 

Section 15 CFR 754.2(j)(1)(iii) requires a mandatory program of deep water ballast exchange unless 

doing so would endanger the safety of the vessel or crew. 

(c) A vessel not covered by paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section and is bound for ports or places in the 

United States must comply with §§151.2041 and 151.2045 of this subpart. 

(d) This subpart does not authorize the discharge of oil or noxious liquid substances (NLS) in a manner 

prohibited by United States or international laws or regulations. Ballast water carried in any tank 

containing a residue of oil, NLS, or any other pollutant must be discharged in accordance with applicable 

regulations. 

(e) This subpart does not affect or supercede any requirement or prohibition pertaining to the discharge 

of ballast water into the waters of the United States under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 

U.S.C. 1251 to 1376). 

[USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32869, June 14, 2004] 

§ 151.2041 What are the mandatory ballast water reporting requirements for all 

vessels equipped with ballast tanks bound for ports or places of the United States? 

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(a) Ballast water reporting requirements exist for each vessel bound for ports or places of the United 

States regardless of whether a vessel operated outside of the EEZ (which includes the equivalent zone 

of Canada), unless exempted in §§151.2010 or 151.2015. 

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(b) The master, owner, operator, agent, or person-in-charge of a vessel to whom this section applies 

must provide the information required by §151.2045 in electronic or written form (OMB form Control No. 

1625–0069) to the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard or the appropriate COTP as follows: 

(1) For any vessel bound for the Great Lakes from outside the EEZ (which includes the equivalent zone 

of Canada). 

(i) You must fax the required information at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives in Montreal, Quebec 

to either the USCG COTP Buffalo, Massena Detachment (315–769–5032), or the St. Lawrence Seaway 

Development Corporation (315–764–3250); or 

(ii) If you are not a U.S. or Canadian Flag vessel, you may complete the ballast water information section 

of the St. Lawrence Seaway required “Pre-entry Information from Foreign Flagged Vessels Form” and 

submit it in accordance with the applicable Seaway Notice in lieu of this requirement. 

(2) For any vessel bound for the Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge entering from 

outside the EEZ (which includes the equivalent zone of Canada). You must fax the information to the 

COTP New York (718–354–4249) at least 24 hours before the vessel enters New York, New York. 

(3) For any vessel not addressed in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, which is equipped with 

ballast water tanks and bound for ports or places in the United States. If your voyage is less than 24 

hours, you must report before departing your port or place of departure. If your voyage exceeds 24 

hours, you must report at least 24 hours before arrival at your port or place of destination. All required 

information is to be sent to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) using only one of the 

following means: 

(i) Internet at: http://invasions.si.edu/NBIC/bwform.html; 

(ii) E-mail to NBIC@BALLASTREPORT.ORG; 

(iii) Fax to 301–261–4319; or 

(iv) Mail to U.S. Coast Guard, c/o SERC (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center), P.O. Box 28, 

Edgewater, MD 21037–0028. 

(c) If the information submitted in accordance with this section changes, you must submit an amended 

form before the vessel departs the waters of the United States. 

[USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32870, June 14, 2004; 69 FR 40767, July 7, 2004] 

§ 151.2043 Equivalent Reporting Methods for vessels other than those entering the 

Great Lakes or Hudson River after operating outside the EEZ or Canadian equivalent. 

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(a) For ships required to report under §151.2041 the Chief, Environmental Standards Division (CG–

5224), acting for the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship (CG–5) may, 

upon receipt of a written request, consider and approve alternative methods of reporting if: 

(1) Such methods are at least as effective as that required by §151.2041; and 

(2) Compliance with the requirement is economically or physically impractical. 

(i) The Chief, Environmental Standards Division (CG–5224) will take approval or disapproval action on 

the request submitted in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section within 30 days of receipt of the 

request. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

[USCG–1998–3423, 66 FR 58391, Nov. 21, 2001, as amended by USCG–2002–12471, 67 FR 41332, 

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June 18, 2002. Redesignated and amended by USCG–2002–13147, 69 FR 32870, June 14, 2004; 

USCG–2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008] 

§ 151.2045 What are the mandatory recordkeeping requirements for vessels equipped 

with ballast tanks that are bound for a port or place in the United States? 

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(a) The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel bound for a port or place in the United 

States, unless specifically exempted by §§151.2010 or 151.2015 must keep written, records that include 

the following information (Note: Ballast tank is any tank or hold that carries ballast water regardless of 

design): 

(1) Vessel information. Include the— 

(i) Name; 

(ii) International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number (official number if IMO number not issued); 

(iii) Vessel type; 

(iv) Owner or operator; 

(v) Gross tonnage; 

(vi) Call sign; and 

(vii) Port of Registry (Flag). 

(2) Voyage information. Include the date and port of arrival, vessel agent, last port and country of call, 

and next port and country of call. 

(3) Total ballast water information. Include the total ballast water capacity, total volume of ballast water 

on board, total number of ballast water tanks, and total number of ballast water tanks in ballast. Use 

units of measurements such as metric tons (MT), cubic meters (m3), long tons (LT), and short tons (ST). 

(4) Ballast Water Management. Include the total number of ballast tanks/holds that are to be discharged 

into the waters of the United States or to a reception facility. If an alternative ballast water management 

method is used, please note the number of tanks that were managed using an alternative method, as 

well as the type of method used. Indicate whether the vessel has a ballast water management plan and 

IMO guidelines on board, and whether the ballast water management plan is used. 

(5) Information on ballast water tanks that are to be discharged into the waters of the United States or to 

a reception facility. Include the following: 

(i) The origin of ballast water. This includes date(s), location(s), volume(s) and temperature(s) (If a tank 

has been exchanged, list the loading port of the ballast water that was discharged during the 

exchange.). 

(ii) The date(s), location(s), volume(s), method, thoroughness (percentage exchanged if exchange 

conducted), sea height at time of exchange if exchange conducted, of any ballast water exchanged or 

otherwise managed. 

(iii) The expected date, location, volume, and salinity of any ballast water to be discharged into the 

waters of the United States or a reception facility. 

(6) Discharge of sediment. If sediment is to be discharged within the jurisdiction of the United States 

include the location of the facility where the disposal will take place. 

(7) Certification of accurate information. Include the master, owner, operator, person in charge, or 

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responsible officer's printed name, title, and signature attesting to the accuracy of the information 

provided and certifying compliance with the requirements of this subpart. 

(8) Change to previously submitted information. Indicate whether the information is a change to 

information previously submitted for this voyage. 

(9) The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel subject to this section, must retain a 

signed copy of this information on board the vessel for 2 years. 

(10) The information required of this subpart may be used to satisfy the ballast water recordkeeping 

requirements for vessels subject to §151.2040(a) and (b). 

(11) A sample form and the instructions for completing the form are in the appendix to this subpart. If 

you complete the “Ballast Water Reporting Form” contained in the IMO Guidelines or complete the 

ballast water information section of the St. Lawrence Seaway required “Pre-entry Information Flagged 

Vessels Form,” then you have met the requirements of this section. 

[USCG–1998–3423, 64 FR 26682, May 17, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 58391, Nov. 21, 2001; USCG–

2002–13147, 69 FR 32870, June 14, 2004] 

§ 151.2050 What methods are used to monitor compliance with this subpart? 

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(a) The COTP may take samples of ballast water and sediment, examine documents, and make other 

appropriate inquiries to assess the compliance of any vessel subject to this subpart. 

(b) The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel subject to this section, shall make 

available to the COTP the records required by §151.2045 upon request. 

(c) The NBIC will compile the data obtained from submitted reports. This data will be used, in 

conjunction with existing databases on the number of vessel arrivals, to assess vessel reporting rates. 

§ 151.2055 Where are the alternate exchange zones located? [Reserved] 

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§ 151.2060 What must each application for approval of an alternative compliance 

technology contain? [Reserved] 

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§ 151.2065 What is the standard of adequate compliance determined by the ANSTF for 

this subpart? [Reserved] 

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Appendix to Subpart D of Part 151—Ballast Water Reporting Form and Instructions for 

Ballast Water Reporting Form 

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View or download PDF 

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View or download PDF 

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View or download PDF 

Where to send this form. 

Vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for all ports or places 

within the waters of the United States after operating outside the EEZ 

(which includes the equivalent zone of Canada).

Bound for You must submit your report as detailed below.

The Great Fax the information at least 24 hours before the vessel 

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If any information changes, send an amended form before the vessel departs the waters of the United 

States. 

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of 

information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The Coast Guard estimates that the average 

burden for this report is 35 minutes. You may submit any comments concerning the accuracy of this 

burden estimate or any suggestions for reducing the burden to: Commandant (CG–5224), U.S. Coast 

Guard, 2100 2nd St., SW. Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593–7126, or Office of Management and 

Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1625–0069), Washington, DC 20503. 

[USCG–1998–3423, 64 FR 26682, May 17, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 58391, Nov. 21, 2001; USCG–

Lakes arrives in Montreal, Quebec, to the USCG COTP Buffalo, 

Massena Detachment (315–769–5032) or to the Saint 

Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (315–764–

3250).

 In lieu of faxing, vessels that are not U.S. or Canadian 

flagged may complete the ballast water information section of 

the St. Lawrence Seaway “Pre-entry Information from Foreign 

Flagged Vessel Form”.

Hudson River 

north of the 

George 

Washington 

Bridge

Fax the information to the COTP New York at (718–354–

4249) at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at New 

York, New York. 

*Note: Vessels entering COTP New York Zone which are not 

bound up the Hudson River north of George Washington 

Bridge should submit the form in accordance with the 

instructions in the following block.

All other U.S. 

Ports

Report before departing the port or place of departure if 

voyage is less than 24 hours, or at least 24 hours before 

arrival at the port or place of destination if the voyage 

exceeds 24 hours; and submit the required information to the 

National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) by one of 

the following means: 

Via the Internet at http://invasions.si.edu/NBIC/bwform.html;

E-mail to NBIC@BALLASTREPORT.ORG ; Fax to 301–261–

4319; or Mail the information to U.S. Coast Guard, c/o SERC. 

P.O. Box 28, Edgewater, MD 21037–0028.

Vessels that have not operated outside the EEZ, which are equipped 

with ballast water tanks and are bound for all ports or places within the 

waters of the United States.

Bound for You must submit your report as detailed below:

All U.S. ports 

including the 

Great Lakes and 

Hudson River 

North of George 

Washington 

Bridge

Report before departing the port or place of departure if 

voyage is less than 24 hours, or at least 24 hours before 

arrival at the port or place of destination if the voyage 

exceeds 24 hours; and submit the required information to 

the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) by 

one of the following means: 

Via the Internet at 

http://invasions.si.edu/NBIC/bwform.html ; E-mail to 

NBIC@BALLASTREPORT.ORG; Fax to 301–261–4319; or 

Mail to U.S. Coast Guard, c/o SERC, P.O. Box 28, 

Edgewater, MD 21037–0028.

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2002–13147, 69 FR 32870, June 14, 2004; USCG–2005–21531, 70 FR 36349, June 23, 2005; USCG–

2008–0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008; USCG–2010–0351, 75 FR 36284, June 25, 2010; USCG–

2011–0257, 76 FR 31837, June 2, 2011] 

Subpart E—Definition of Marine Debris for the Purposes of the Marine Debris Research, 

Prevention, and Reduction Act 

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Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1951–1958 (2006); 33 CFR 1.05–1; Department of Homeland Security 

Delegation No. 0170.1. 

§ 151.3000 Definition of marine debris for the purposes of the Marine Debris 

Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act. 

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(a) Marine debris. For the purposes of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 

U.S.C. 1951–1958 (2006)) only, marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is 

manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or 

abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes. 

(b) NOAA and the Coast Guard have jointly promulgated the definition of marine debris in this part. 

NOAA's regulation may be found in 15 CFR part 909. 

[74 FR 45560, Sept. 3, 2009] 

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