Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) 

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VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL 

OPERATION OF VESSELS (VGP)

AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE

NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM

In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended (33 USC 1251 et 

seq.), any owner or operator of a vessel being operated in a capacity as a means of transportation 

who: 

• Is eligible for permit coverage under Part 1.2; and

• If required by Part 1.5.1, submits a complete and accurate Notice of Intent (NOI) 

or completes a Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection (PARI) form and 

retains it onboard the vessel; 

• Is authorized to discharge in accordance with the requirements of this permit. 

General effluent limits for all eligible vessels are given in Part 2. Further vessel class or type 

specific requirements are given in Part 5 for select vessels and apply in addition to any general 

effluent limits in Part 2. Specific requirements that apply in individual states and Indian Country 

Lands are found in Part 6. Definitions of permit-specific terms used in this permit are provided in 

Appendix A. 

This permit becomes effective on December 19, 2013. 

This permit and the authorization to discharge expire at 11:59 pm, December 18, 2017. 
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Table of Contents: 

1. COVERAGE UNDER THIS PERMIT .......................................................................................... 7

1.1 Permit Structure ...................................................................................................... 7

1.2 Eligibility ................................................................................................................ 7

1.2.1 General Scope of this Permit ...................................................................... 7

1.2.2 Vessel Discharges Eligible for Coverage ................................................... 7

1.2.3 Limitations on Coverage ............................................................................. 9

1.3 Reserved ................................................................................................................ 11

1.4 Permit Compliance................................................................................................ 11

1.5 Authorization under this Permit ............................................................................ 11

1.5.1 How to Obtain Authorization.................................................................... 11

1.5.2 Continuation of this Permit ....................................................................... 13

1.6 Terminating Coverage .......................................................................................... 14

1.6.1 Terminating Coverage for Vessels Required to Submit a Notice of 

Intent (NOI) .............................................................................................. 14

1.6.2 Terminating Coverage for Vessels not Required to Submit a Notice 

of Intent (NOI) .......................................................................................... 14

1.7 Certification .......................................................................................................... 15

1.8 Alternative Permits ............................................................................................... 15

1.8.1 EPA Requiring Coverage under an Alternative Permit ............................ 15

1.8.2 Permittee Requesting Coverage under an Alternative Permit .................. 15

1.9 Permit Reopener Clause ........................................................................................ 16

1.9.1 Modification of the VGP .......................................................................... 16

1.9.2 Water Quality Protection .......................................................................... 16

1.10 Severability ........................................................................................................... 17

1.11 State Laws ............................................................................................................. 17

1.12 Federal Laws ......................................................................................................... 17

1.13 Standard Permit Conditions .................................................................................. 17

1.14 Electronic Reporting Requirement ....................................................................... 17

1.15 Additional Notes ................................................................................................... 18

2. EFFLUENT LIMITS AND RELATED REQUIREMENTS ............................................................. 19

2.1 Technology-Based Effluent Limits and Related Requirements Applicable 

to all Vessels ......................................................................................................... 19

2.1.1 Material Storage ........................................................................................ 19

2.1.2 Toxic and Hazardous Materials ................................................................ 19

2.1.3 Fuel Spills/Overflows ............................................................................... 20

2.1.4 Discharges of Oil Including Oily Mixtures .............................................. 20

2.1.5 Compliance with Other Statutes and Regulations .................................... 21

2.1.6 General Training ....................................................................................... 21

2.2 Effluent Limits and Related Requirements for Specific Discharge 

Categories ............................................................................................................. 21

2.2.1 Deck Washdown and Runoff and Above Water Line Hull Cleaning ....... 21

2.2.2 Bilgewater/Oily Water Separator Effluent ................................................ 22

2.2.3 Ballast Water ............................................................................................. 23
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2.2.4 Anti-Fouling Hull Coatings/ Hull Coating Leachate ................................ 40

2.2.5 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) ...................................................... 41

2.2.6 Boiler/Economizer Blowdown.................................................................. 42

2.2.7 Cathodic Protection ................................................................................... 42

2.2.8 Chain Locker Effluent............................................................................... 43

2.2.9 Controllable Pitch Propeller and Thruster Hydraulic Fluid and 

Other Oil-to-Sea Interfaces Including Lubrication Discharges from 

Paddle Wheel Propulsion, Stern Tubes, Thruster Bearings, 

Stabilizers, Rudder Bearings, Azimuth Thrusters, Propulsion Pod 

Lubrication, and Wire Rope and Mechanical Equipment Subject to 

Immersion ................................................................................................. 43

2.2.10 Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine ................................................... 44

2.2.11 Elevator Pit Effluent ................................................................................. 44

2.2.12 Firemain Systems ...................................................................................... 44

2.2.13 Freshwater Layup...................................................................................... 44

2.2.14 Gas Turbine Washwater ............................................................................ 45

2.2.15 Graywater ................................................................................................. 45

2.2.16 Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge ......................................... 47

2.2.17 Non-Oily Machinery Wastewater ............................................................. 47

2.2.18 Refrigeration and Air Condensate Discharge ........................................... 47

2.2.19 Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge (Including Non-Contact 

Engine Cooling Water; Hydraulic System Cooling Water, 

Refrigeration Cooling Water) ................................................................... 48

2.2.20 Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention .................................................... 48

2.2.21 Boat Engine Wet Exhaust ......................................................................... 48

2.2.22 Sonar Dome Discharge ............................................................................. 49

2.2.23 Underwater Ship Husbandry Discharges .................................................. 49

2.2.24 Welldeck Discharges ................................................................................ 50

2.2.25 Graywater Mixed with Sewage from Vessels ........................................... 50

2.2.26 Exhaust Gas Scrubber Washwater Discharge ........................................... 50

2.2.27 Fish Hold Effluent..................................................................................... 53

2.3 Additional Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits ................................................. 54

2.3.1 Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations ............................................... 54

2.3.2 Discharges to Water Quality Impaired Waters ......................................... 54

3. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ....................................................................................................... 56

3.1 Problems Triggering the Need for Corrective Action........................................... 56

3.2 Corrective Action Assessment .............................................................................. 56

3.3 Deadlines for Eliminating Problem ...................................................................... 57

3.4 Effect of Corrective Action ................................................................................... 57

4. INSPECTIONS, MONITORING, REPORTING, AND RECORDKEEPING ....................................... 59

4.1 Self Inspections and Monitoring ........................................................................... 59

4.1.1 Routine Visual Inspections ....................................................................... 59

4.1.2 Analytical Monitoring ............................................................................... 61

4.1.3 Comprehensive Annual Vessel Inspections .............................................. 61

4.1.4 Dry-Dock Inspection Reports ................................................................... 62

4.2 Recordkeeping ...................................................................................................... 63
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4.2.1 Electronic Recordkeeping ......................................................................... 65

4.3 Additional Recordkeeping for Vessels Equipped with Ballast Tanks .................. 65

4.4 Reporting............................................................................................................... 66

4.4.1 Annual Report ........................................................................................... 66

4.4.2 Combined Annual Reports for Unmanned, Unpowered Barges ............... 67

4.4.3 Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances or Oil ............................ 67

4.4.4 Additional Reporting ................................................................................ 68

5. VESSEL-CLASS-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................... 69

5.1 Large Cruise Ships (authorized to carry 500 people or more for hire) ................. 69

5.1.1 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 69

5.1.2 Monitoring Requirements ......................................................................... 71

5.1.3 Educational and Training Requirements ................................................... 73

5.2 Medium Cruise Ships (authorized to carry 100 to 499 people for hire) ............... 74

5.2.1 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 74

5.2.2 Monitoring Requirements ......................................................................... 76

5.2.3 Educational and Training Requirements ................................................... 79

5.3 Large Ferries ......................................................................................................... 79

5.3.1 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 80

5.3.2 Educational and Training Requirements ................................................... 80

5.4 Barges (such as Hopper Barges, Chemical Barges, Tank Barges, Fuel 

Barges, Crane Barges, Dry Bulk Cargo Barges) ................................................... 81

5.4.1 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 81

5.4.2 Supplemental Inspection Requirements .................................................... 81

5.5 Oil Tankers, Petroleum Tankers, and Bulk Chemical Carriers ............................ 82

5.5.1 Additional Authorized Discharges ............................................................ 82

5.5.2 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 82

5.5.3 Supplemental Inspection Requirements .................................................... 82

5.5.4 Educational and Training Requirements ................................................... 82

5.6 Research Vessels ................................................................................................... 83

5.6.1 Supplemental Authorized Discharges ....................................................... 83

5.6.2 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 83

5.7 Emergency and Rescue Vessels (Fire Boats, Police Boats) ................................. 83

5.7.1 Supplemental Authorized Discharges ....................................................... 83

5.7.2 Additional Effluent Limits ........................................................................ 84

6. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL STATES OR INDIAN COUNTRY LANDS ............. 85

APPENDIX A – DEFINITIONS: .......................................................................................................... 86

APPENDIX B – EPA REGIONAL CONTACTS .................................................................................... 95

APPENDIX C – AREAS COVERED .................................................................................................... 96

APPENDIX D – RESERVED .............................................................................................................. 97

APPENDIX E – NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) ....................................................................................... 98

APPENDIX F – NOTICE OF TERMINATION (NOT) .......................................................................... 105
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APPENDIX G – WATERS FEDERALLY PROTECTED WHOLLY OR IN PART FOR CONSERVATION 

PURPOSES ........................................................................................................................ 108

APPENDIX H – ANNUAL REPORT .................................................................................................. 127

APPENDIX I – DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORT ........................................................................ 132

APPENDIX J – BALLAST WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM SENSORS, MEASUREMENT 

REQUIREMENTS AND APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT FOR PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL 

INDICATOR MONITORING ................................................................................................. 133

APPENDIX K – PERMIT AUTHORIZATION AND RECORD OF INSPECTION FORM (PARI) (FOR 

VESSELS WHICH NEED NOT COMPLETE NOIS) ................................................................... 136
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List of Tables

Table 1: NOI Submission Deadlines/Discharge Authorization Dates ...........................................12

Table 2: Indicator Organism Monitoring Parameters ...................................................................28

Table 3: Maximum Ballast Water Effluent Limits for Residual Biocides....................................30

Table 4: Monitoring Schedule for Residual Biocides or Derivatives of the Residual 

Biocide ...............................................................................................................................31

Table 5: Residual Biocides and Biocide Derivative Monitoring Requirements ...........................31

Table 6: Ballast Water Treatment to BAT Schedule ....................................................................35

Table 7: PAH Permit Limits in Exhaust Gas Scrubber Discharge ...............................................51

Table 8: Nitrates + Nitrites Permit Limits in Exhaust Gas Scrubber Discharge ..........................52
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1. COVERAGE UNDER THIS PERMIT

1.1 Permit Structure

This permit is structured as follows: 

• General requirements that apply to all eligible vessel discharges are found in Parts 

1 through 4; 

• Specific additional requirements that apply to particular vessel classes are found 

in Part 5; and 

• Specific additional requirements that apply in individual states or Indian Country 

Lands are found in Part 6. 

The Appendices A through K include definitions, the NOI form, the Notice of Termination 

(NOT) form, a list of waters federally protected for conservation purposes, the annual report 

form, the Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection (PARI) form, and supplemental 

information. 

1.2 Eligibility

You must meet the following provisions to be eligible for coverage under this permit. 

1.2.1 General Scope of this Permit

This permit is applicable to discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel identified in 

Part 1.2.2 into waters subject to this permit. These waters are “waters of the United States” as 

defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 122.2 (extending to the outer reach of the 3 

mile territorial sea as defined in section 502(8) of the CWA). This includes all navigable waters 

of the Great Lakes subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Recreational vessels as defined 

in section 502(25) of the CWA are not subject to this permit. Such vessels are not subject to 

NPDES permitting under section 402 of the CWA, and are instead subject to regulation under 

section 312(o) of the CWA. EPA expects that most vessels seeking coverage under this permit 

will be greater than 79 feet in length; however, commercial fishing vessels and other nonrecreational vessels less than 79 feet are also eligible for permit coverage under this permit or 

those vessels may seek coverage under EPA’s small Vessel General Permit (sVGP). If auxiliary 

vessels or craft, such as lifeboats, rescue boats, or barges onboard larger vessels require NPDES 

permit coverage, they are eligible for coverage under this permit and are covered by submission 

of the NOI for the larger vessels. For purposes of recordkeeping, inspections, and reporting, 

these vessels may be considered as part of the same entity as the larger vessel. Nothing in this 

permit shall be interpreted to apply to a vessel of the Armed Forces as defined in section 

312(a)(14) of the CWA. 

1.2.2 Vessel Discharges Eligible for Coverage 

Unless otherwise made ineligible under Part 1.2.3, the following discharge types are eligible for 

coverage under this permit: 

1.2.2.1 Deck Washdown and Runoff and Above Water Line Hull Cleaning
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1.2.2.2 Bilgewater/Oily Water Separator Effluent

1.2.2.3 Ballast Water 

1.2.2.4 Anti-fouling Hull Coatings/Hull Coating Leachate 

1.2.2.5 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

1.2.2.6 Boiler/Economizer Blowdown

1.2.2.7 Cathodic Protection

1.2.2.8 Chain Locker Effluent

1.2.2.9 Controllable Pitch Propeller and Thruster Hydraulic Fluid and other Oil Sea 

Interfaces including Lubrication Discharges from Paddle Wheel Propulsion, 

Stern Tubes, Thruster Bearings, Stabilizers, Rudder Bearings, Azimuth 

Thrusters, and Propulsion Pod Lubrication, and Wire Rope and Mechanical 

Equipment Subject to Immersion

1.2.2.10 Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine

1.2.2.11 Elevator Pit Effluent

1.2.2.12 Firemain Systems

1.2.2.13 Freshwater Layup

1.2.2.14 Gas Turbine Washwater 

1.2.2.15 Graywater 

Except that Graywater from commercial vessels within the meaning of CWA section 312 that are 

operating in the Great Lakes is excluded from the requirement to obtain an NPDES permit (see 

CWA section 502(6)), and thus is not within the scope of this permit. 

1.2.2.16 Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge 

1.2.2.17 Non-Oily Machinery Wastewater

1.2.2.18 Refrigeration and Air Condensate Discharge

1.2.2.19 Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge (Including Non-Contact Engine Cooling 

Water; Hydraulic System Cooling Water, Refrigeration Cooling Water)

1.2.2.20 Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention 

1.2.2.21 Boat Engine Wet Exhaust 
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1.2.2.22 Sonar Dome Discharge 

1.2.2.23 Underwater Ship Husbandry

1.2.2.24 Welldeck Discharges

1.2.2.25 Graywater Mixed with Sewage from Vessels 

1.2.2.26 Exhaust Gas Scrubber Washwater Discharge

1.2.2.27 Fish Hold Effluent

1.2.3 Limitations on Coverage 

1.2.3.1 Discharges Not Subject to Former NPDES Permit Exclusion and Vessel 

Discharges Generated from Vessels when they are Operated in a Capacity Other 

than as a Means of Transportation 

Discharges that are outside the scope of the exclusion from NPDES permitting for discharges 

incidental to the normal operation of a vessel as set out in 40 CFR § 122.3(a), as in effect on 

December 18, 2008, are ineligible for coverage under this permit. This permit does not apply to 

any vessel when it is operating in a capacity other than as a means of transportation. For any 

discharges identified in this permit, discharges are not eligible if they contain materials resulting 

from industrial or manufacturing processes onboard or other materials not derived from the 

normal operations of a vessel. 

Vessels when they are being used as an energy or mining facility, a storage facility, a seafood 

processing facility, or when secured to the bed of waters subject to this permit or to a buoy for 

the purpose of mineral or oil exploration or development are not eligible for coverage under this 

permit. Furthermore, “floating” craft that are permanently moored to piers, such as “floating” 

casinos, hotels, restaurants, bars etc. are not covered by the former vessel exclusion and would 

not be covered by this vessel permit. 

1.2.3.2 Sewage 

Discharges of sewage from vessels, as defined in CWA section 502(6) and 40 CFR § 122.2, are 

not required to obtain NPDES permits. Instead, these discharges are regulated under section 312 

of the CWA and 40 CFR Part 140 and 33 CFR Part 159. Under CWA section 312(a)(6), the 

definition of sewage includes graywater discharges from “commercial vessels” (as defined in 

CWA section 312(a)(10)) operating on the Great Lakes. If a vessel operating on the Great Lakes 

is not a “commercial vessel” as defined in CWA section 312(a)(10), the vessel’s graywater 

discharges are eligible for coverage under this permit, and are subject to the additional permit 

requirements in Part 2.2.15.1. 

1.2.3.3 Used or Spent Oil

Discharges of used or spent oil no longer being used for their intended purposes are not eligible 

for coverage under this permit. 
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1.2.3.4 Garbage or Trash 

Discharges of rubbish, trash, garbage, or other such materials discharged overboard are not 

eligible for coverage under this permit. “Garbage” includes discharges of bulk dry cargo residues 

as defined at 33 CFR § 151.66(b) (73 Fed. Reg. 56492 (September 29, 2008)) and agricultural 

cargo residues. Discharges of garbage are subject to regulation under 33 CFR Part 151, Subpart 

A.

1.2.3.5 Photo-Processing Effluent 

Discharges from photo-processing operations are not eligible for coverage under this permit. 

1.2.3.6 Effluent from Dry Cleaning Operations 

Discharges of spent or unused effluent from dry cleaning operations are not eligible for coverage 

under this permit. This includes any spent or unused tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) 

from these operations. 

1.2.3.7 Discharges of Medical Waste and Related Materials

Discharges of medical waste as defined in 33 USC 1362(20) are not eligible for coverage under 

this permit. Discharges of spent or unused pharmaceuticals, formaldehyde, or other biohazards 

no longer being used for their intended purposes are not eligible for coverage under this permit. 

For purposes of this permit, the liquid produced by dialysis treatment of humans is not deemed to 

be “medical waste,” and, like other human body waste, is subject to regulation under CWA § 312 

if introduced into marine sanitation devices, or under VGP Part 2.2.25 if added to a blackwater 

system combined with a graywater system. The direct overboard discharge of such liquid without 

treatment is not eligible for coverage under this permit.

1.2.3.8 Discharges of Noxious Liquid Substance Residues 

Discharges of noxious liquid substance residues subject to 33 CFR Part 151, Subpart A or 46 

CFR 153.1102 are not eligible for coverage under this permit. 

1.2.3.9 Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) Degreasers

Discharges of tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) degreasers or other products containing 

tetrachloroethylene are not eligible for coverage under this permit.

1.2.3.10 Discharges Currently or Previously Covered by an another NPDES Permit

The following discharges are not eligible for coverage under this permit: 

• Vessel discharges covered, as of the effective date of this permit, under an 

individual or a general NPDES permit other than the VGP, unless EPA 

specifically allows coverage under Part 1.8.2, or otherwise provides written 

permission to be covered under this permit, or 
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• Discharges from vessels covered by any NPDES permit that has been or is in the 

process of being denied, terminated, or revoked by EPA or a state permitting 

authority (this does not apply to the routine reissuance of permits every five 

years). 

1.3 Reserved

1.4 Permit Compliance

The CWA provides that any person who knowingly falsifies, tampers with, or renders inaccurate 

any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under the CWA shall, upon 

conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000, or by imprisonment for not more 

than 2 years, or both. If a conviction of a person is for a violation committed after a first 

conviction of such person under this paragraph, punishment is a fine of not more than $20,000 

per day of violation, or by imprisonment of not more than 4 years, or both. The Act similarly 

provides that any person who knowingly makes any false material statement, representation, or 

certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be 

maintained under the CWA shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than 

$10,000 per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months per violation, or by both. 

In addition, false statements or representations, as well as alterations or false entries in 

documents, may be punishable by more severe criminal penalties pursuant to 18 USC §1001 or 

18 USC §1519. 

Any noncompliance with the requirements of this permit constitutes a violation of the CWA. 

Each day a violation continues is a separate violation of this permit. Where requirements and 

schedules for taking corrective actions are included in this permit, the time intervals provided are 

not grace periods, but schedules considered reasonable for making repairs and improvements. 

They are included in this permit to ensure that the conditions prompting the need for these 

corrective actions are not allowed to persist indefinitely. You must return to compliance as 

promptly as possible, but no later than the time period specified in this permit. For provisions 

specifying a time period to remedy noncompliance, the initial and continuing failure, such as a 

violation of numeric or non-numeric effluent limits, constitutes a violation of this permit and the 

CWA. As such, any time periods specified for remedying noncompliance do not relieve parties 

of the initial underlying noncompliance. However, EPA will consider the appropriateness and 

promptness of corrective action in determining enforcement responses to permit violations. 

To provide clarity for the permittee, there are additional reminders in certain sections of this 

permit about what constitutes a permit violation. The absence of such a reminder in a particular 

section does not mean that failure to meet that requirement is not a permit violation.

1.5 Authorization under this Permit

1.5.1 How to Obtain Authorization 

To obtain authorization to discharge under this permit, you must meet the Part 1.2 eligibility 

requirements. If your vessel meets the requirements under Part 1.5.1.1, and you were authorized 

to discharge under the 2008 VGP, you must submit an NOI to receive permit coverage by the 
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effective date of this permit to continue uninterrupted coverage. Vessels authorized to discharge 

under the 2008 VGP were vessels that had submitted an NOI or were not subject to the NOI 

requirement by Part 1.5.1.2 of the 2008 VGP. If you were not covered under the 2008 VGP and 

you are required to submit an NOI, you must submit that NOI to receive permit coverage at least 

7 days or more than 30 days (as applicable) before discharging into waters subject to this permit 

(see Table 1 below). Owner/operators of vessels that meet the requirements under Part 1.5.1.2

are not required to submit NOIs. Instead these owner/operators must sign and maintain a copy of 

the PARI form. 

1.5.1.1 Vessels Required to Submit Notices of Intent (NOIs)

If your vessel is greater than or equal to 300 gross tons or the vessel has the capacity to hold or 

discharge more than 8 cubic meters (2,113 gallons) of ballast water, you must submit a complete 

and accurate NOI in accordance with the requirements of Appendix E to receive coverage under 

this permit. Submission must be in accordance with the deadlines in Table 1. 

If you are required to submit an NOI, you must submit your NOI using EPA’s Electronic Notice 

of Intent (eNOI) system (www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/eNOI) unless you meet one of the 

exemptions in Part 1.14 of this permit. EPA will post on the Internet, at 

www.epa.gov/npdes/noisearch, all NOIs received. If an active NOI is not in place before you 

commence discharging, you will be in violation of the permit. 

Paper NOIs will only be accepted if you meet one of the exemptions found in Part 1.14 of this 

permit. However, even if accepted, there is an extended waiting period for authorization. 

Table 1: NOI Submission Deadlines/Discharge Authorization Dates

Category NOI Deadline Discharge Authorization Date*

Vessels authorized to discharge 

under the 2008 Vessel General 

Permit (VGP) 

No later than December, 12, 

2013 or 7 days prior to 

discharge into waters subject 

to this permit, whichever is 

later

For eNOIs:

December 19, 2013 or, if not submitted before 

December 12, 2013, 7 days after complete 

NOI processed by EPA 

For Paper NOIs: 30 days after complete NOI 

processed by EPA

New Owner/Operator of Vessel 

– transfer of ownership and/or 

operation of a vessel whose 

discharge is previously 

authorized under this permit

By date of transfer of 

ownership and/or operation

Date of transfer or date EPA processes NOI, 

whichever is later 

New vessels delivered to owner 

or operator after December 19, 

2013

For vessels submitting 

eNOIs:

7 days prior to discharge into 

waters subject to this permit

For vessels submitting Paper 

NOIs: At least 30 days prior 

to discharge into waters 

subject to this permit

For eNOIs:

7 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

For Paper NOIs: 

30 days after complete NOI processed by EPA
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Existing vessels delivered to 

owner or operator after 

December 19, 2013 that were not 

previously authorized under this 

permit

For vessels submitting eNOIs:

7 days prior to discharge into 

waters subject to this permit

For vessels submitting Paper 

NOIs: At least 30 days prior 

to discharge into waters 

subject to this permit

For eNOIs: 

7 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

For Paper NOIs: 

30 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

* Based on a review of your NOI or other information, EPA may delay the discharge authorization date for further review, or 

may deny coverage under this permit and require submission of an application for an individual NPDES permit, as detailed in 

Part 1.8 of the permit. In these instances, EPA will notify you in writing of the delay or the request for submission of an 

individual NPDES permit application. If EPA requires an individual permit for an existing vessel previously covered by this 

general permit, EPA will allow the permittee a reasonable amount of time to obtain individual permit coverage before their 

general permit coverage terminates.

1.5.1.2 Vessels Not Required to Submit Notices of Intent (NOIs)

If your vessel is less than 300 gross tons and your vessel does not have the capacity to hold or 

discharge more than 8 cubic meters (2113 gallons) of ballast water, you do not need to submit an 

NOI. However, you must complete the PARI form found in Appendix K, and keep a copy of that 

form onboard your vessel at all times. 

1.5.2 Continuation of this Permit

If this permit is not reissued or replaced prior to the expiration date, it will be administratively 

continued in accordance with section 558(c) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 USC 558(c)) 

and EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR § 122. 6 and remain in force and effect for 

discharges that were covered prior to expiration. If you were granted permit coverage prior to the 

expiration date, you will automatically remain covered by this permit until the earliest of: 

• Your authorization for coverage under a reissuance or replacement of this permit, 

following your timely and appropriate submittal of a complete NOI requesting 

authorization to discharge under the new permit and compliance with the 

requirements of the new permit; or

• Your submittal of a Notice of Termination (NOT); or

• Issuance of a new general permit that covers your vessel discharges or vessel type 

and provides you coverage without requiring you to submit an NOI to obtain 

coverage; or 

• Issuance or denial of an individual permit for the vessel’s discharges; or 

• A formal permit decision by EPA not to reissue this general permit, at which time 

EPA will identify a reasonable time period for covered dischargers to seek 

coverage under an alternative general permit or an individual permit. Coverage 

under this permit will cease at the end of this time period. 
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1.6 Terminating Coverage 

1.6.1 Terminating Coverage for Vessels Required to Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI)

1.6.1.1 Submitting a Notice of Termination (NOT) 

If you wish to terminate coverage under this permit, and you were required to file a NOI, you 

must submit your NOT in accordance with Appendix F. Vessels holding a valid NOI are not 

required to terminate their NOI when they move in and out of waters subject to the VGP, or 

when they are engaged in industrial activity and subject to another NPDES permit while 

conducting those activities. 

If you were required to file a NOI by Part 1.5.1, you may use the eNOI system to file your NOT, 

available at www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/eNOI. Your authorization to discharge under this permit 

terminates at 11:59 pm on the day that a complete NOT is processed and posted on EPA’s 

website (www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/eNOI). If you submit a NOT without meeting at least one 

of the conditions identified in Part 1.6.1.2, then your NOT is not valid. You will continue to be 

responsible for discharges from your vessel until you have submitted a valid NOT and it is 

posted on EPA’s website, unless permit coverage is terminated without a NOT pursuant to Part 

1.6.2 or 1.8. 

1.6.1.2 When to Submit a NOT

If you were required to submit a NOI pursuant to Part 1.5.1 to be released from the requirements 

of this permit, you must submit a NOT within 30 days after one or more of the following 

conditions have been met: 

• A new owner or operator has taken over responsibility for the vessel; or 

• You have permanently ceased operating the vessel in waters subject to this permit 

and there are no longer vessel discharges; or

• You have obtained coverage under an individual or alternative general permit for 

all discharges required to be covered by an NPDES permit, unless you were 

directed to obtain this coverage by EPA in accordance with Part 1.8.1. 

1.6.2 Terminating Coverage for Vessels not Required to Submit a Notice of Intent 

(NOI) 

For vessels that are not required to submit a NOI under Part 1.5.1.2, termination of coverage is 

automatic if any of the following conditions are met:

• A new owner or operator has taken over responsibility for the vessel; or 

• You have permanently ceased operating the vessel in waters subject to this permit 

and there are no longer vessel discharges; or

• You have obtained coverage under an individual or alternative general permit for 

all discharges required to be covered by an NPDES permit.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

15 

1.7 Certification

The NOI, NOT, the VGP PARI Form, and any reports (including any monitoring data) submitted 

to EPA must include the following certification: 

“I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my 

direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel 

properly gathered and evaluated the information contained therein. Based on my inquiry of the 

person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the 

information, the information contained is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, 

and complete. I have no personal knowledge that the information submitted is other than true, 

accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false 

information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.” 

All other documentation required under this permit must be signed and dated by the person 

preparing the documentation. 

1.8 Alternative Permits

1.8.1 EPA Requiring Coverage under an Alternative Permit

Pursuant to 40 CFR § 122.28(b)(3), EPA may require you to apply for an individual NPDES 

permit or an alternative NPDES general permit. Any interested person may petition EPA to take 

action under this paragraph. If EPA requires you to apply for an individual NPDES permit, EPA 

will notify you in writing that a permit application is required. This notification will include a 

brief statement of the reasons for this decision and will provide application information. In 

addition, if you are an existing permittee authorized to discharge under this permit, the notice 

will set a deadline to file the permit application, and will include a statement that on the effective 

date of the individual NPDES permit, or the alternative general permit as it applies to you, 

coverage under this general permit will terminate. EPA may grant additional time to submit the 

application if you request it. If you are covered under this permit and fail to submit an individual 

NPDES permit application as required by EPA, then your coverage under this permit is 

terminated at midnight on the day specified by EPA as the deadline for application submittal. In 

addition, if EPA denies your application for an individual NPDES permit, you are also not 

authorized to discharge under this general permit. EPA may take enforcement action for any 

unpermitted discharge. 

When an individual NPDES permit is issued to you or you are authorized to discharge under an 

alternative NPDES general permit, your coverage under this permit is terminated on the effective 

date of the individual permit or the date of authorization of coverage under the alternative 

general permit. In this case (where EPA requires you to obtain coverage under an individual or 

alternative general permit), you are not required to file a NOT as discussed above. 

1.8.2 Permittee Requesting Coverage under an Alternative Permit

You may request to be excluded from coverage under this general permit by applying for an 

individual permit per 40 CFR § 122.28(b)(3)(iii). In such a case, you must submit an individual 

permit application in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR § 122.21, with reasons 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

16 

supporting the request, to EPA at the appropriate EPA Regional Office(s) listed in Appendix B

of this permit, no later than 90 days after December 19, 2013. The request may be granted by 

issuance of an individual permit or authorizing coverage under an alternative general permit if 

your reasons are adequate to support the request. A source excluded from this general permit 

solely because it already has an individual permit may request that the individual permit be 

revoked, and that it be covered by this general permit. Upon revocation of the individual permit, 

this general permit shall apply to the source. 

When an individual NPDES permit is issued to you or you are authorized to discharge under an 

alternative NPDES general permit, your authorization to discharge under this permit is 

terminated on the effective date of the individual permit or the date of authorization of coverage 

under the alternative general permit. 

1.9 Permit Reopener Clause

1.9.1 Modification of the VGP 

Permit modification or revocation will be conducted according to 40 CFR §§ 122.62, 122.63, 

122.64, and 124.5.This permit is subject to modification in accordance with 40 CFR §§ 124.5 

and 122.62. Grounds for such modification include receipt of new information that was not 

available at the time of permit issuance (other than revised regulations, guidance, or test 

methods) and would have justified the application of different permit conditions at the time of 

permit issuance. With respect to ballast water discharges, new information that will be 

considered in determining whether to modify this permit includes, but is not limited to, data or 

information from permittees, the general public, states, academia, scientific or technical articles 

or studies, and results of monitoring conducted under this permit indicating that: 

• Treatment technology has improved such that these improved technologies would have 

justified the application of significantly more stringent effluent limitations or other permit 

conditions had they been known at the time of permit issuance; 

• Treatment technologies known of at the time of permit issuance perform better than 

understood at the time of permit issuance such that this improved performance would 

have justified the application of significantly more stringent effluent limitations or other 

permit conditions had this been understood at the time of permit issuance; 

• Scientific understanding of pollutant effects or of invasion biology has evolved such that 

this new information would have justified the application of significantly more stringent 

effluent limitations or other permit conditions had this been understood at the time of 

permit issuance; or

• The cumulative effects of any discharge authorized by the VGP on the environment are 

unacceptable.

1.9.2 Water Quality Protection

EPA may require you to obtain an individual permit in accordance with Part 1.8 of this permit 

for cause. This may happen, for example, if there is evidence that the discharges authorized by 

this permit cause or have the reasonable potential to cause or contribute to an excursion above 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

17 

any applicable water quality standard. Similarly, EPA may modify this permit to include 

different limitations and/or requirements for cause.

1.10 Severability

Invalidation of a portion of this permit does not necessarily render the whole permit invalid. 

EPA’s intent is that the permit remains in effect to the extent possible; in the event that any part 

of this permit is invalidated, EPA will advise the regulated community as to the effect of such 

invalidation. 

1.11 State Laws

Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve 

the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any 

applicable state law or regulation under authority preserved by section 510 of the CWA. 

1.12 Federal Laws

Nothing in this permit shall be construed to affect, supersede, or relieve the vessel owner or 

operator of any otherwise applicable requirements or prohibitions under other provisions of 

federal law or regulations.

1.13 Standard Permit Conditions

As provided by the introductory text of 40 CFR §122.41 and the regulation at 40 CFR § 

122.43(c), all of the standard permit conditions published in federal regulations at 40 CFR § 

122.41 (2008) are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1.14 Electronic Reporting Requirement

All vessel owner operators must submit all NOIs, NOTs, annual reports, Discharge Monitoring 

Reports (DMRs), and other reporting information as appropriate electronically, unless the vessel 

owner/operator meets one of the following exemptions: 

For purposes of the VGP, temporary waivers from electronic reporting may be granted if: 

• EPA has not yet implemented such electronic reporting; 

• If the owner/operator’s headquarters is physically located in a geographic area 

(i.e., zip code or census tract) that is identified as under-served for broadband 

Internet access in the most recent report from the Federal Communications 

Commission and the vessel never travels to any areas with adequate broadband 

Internet access; or

• If the vessel owner/operator has issues regarding available computer access or 

computer capability. 

If you wish to obtain waiver for submitting your reports electronically, you must submit a 

request to the EPA region where your vessel spends the most time. EPA regional contact 

information can be found in Appendix B of this permit. In that request, you must document 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

18 

which exemption you believe you meet, provide evidence supporting these claims, and a copy of 

your completed NOI or PARI form (as applicable). A waiver may only be considered granted 

once you receive written confirmation from EPA or its authorized representative.

EPA will make any ballast water monitoring information transmitted to the Agency in electronic 

form available to the public in electronic form.

1.15 Additional Notes 

• All requirements in this permit to comply with statutes and regulations, other than 

CWA section 402 and its implementing regulations, refer to those authorities as 

codified as of the date of Federal Register notice announcing availability of this 

final permit. Furthermore, with respect to references to class society or flag state 

requirements, all references to requirements are to those as of the date of Federal 

Register notice announcing availability of this final permit. 

• All requirements to comply with specified statutes include the requirement to 

comply with any applicable implementing regulations.

• Provisions stating that "EPA recommends" certain actions, or that you "should" 

take certain actions, constitute recommendations by the Agency and thus are not 

mandatory requirements of this permit.

• EPA intends to implement the VGP in accordance with the CWA as well as U.S. 

international legal obligations, including those obligations associated with a 

vessel's right to innocent passage as provided for under customary international 

law.

• EPA notes that vessel masters have the responsibility to ensure the safety and 

stability of the vessel and the safety of the crew and passengers, and nothing in 

this permit is intended to interfere with their fulfillment of that responsibility. 

EPA invites comment on the sufficiency of reliance on the bypass provision to 

address the situation of a shipboard emergency that endangers the safety of the 

vessel or its crew, specifically the provisions regarding the "diversion of waste 

streams from any portion of the treatment facility" where unavoidable to prevent 

loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage. See 40 CFR 

122.41(m)(4)(A) and Part 1.13 of this permit. Additionally, EPA has provided 

targeted safety exemptions to VGP permit requirements in Parts 2.2.3, 2.2.5, 

2.2.6, 2.2.13, and 2.2.26 of the permit and also requests on comment on their 

sufficiency.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

19 

2. EFFLUENT LIMITS AND RELATED REQUIREMENTS

In the limits below and throughout this permit, the term “minimize” means reduce and/or 

eliminate to the extent achievable using control measures (including best management practices) 

that are technologically available and economically practicable and achievable in light of best 

marine practice.

You may not add any constituents to any discharge that are not incidental to the normal operation 

of a vessel. 

You may not dilute discharges eligible for coverage under this permit prior to their discharge for 

the purpose of meeting limits set forth in this permit. 

2.1 Technology-Based Effluent Limits and Related Requirements Applicable to all 

Vessels

You are required to meet the following effluent limits, regardless of the type of vessel you own 

or operate.

2.1.1 Material Storage 

For cargoes or onboard materials which might wash overboard or dissolve as a result of contact 

with precipitation or surface water spray, or which may be blown overboard by air currents, you 

must minimize the amount of time these items are exposed to such conditions. Locate storage 

areas on the vessel for such items in covered areas where feasible and consistent with any 

applicable regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard 

is operating that establish specifications for safe transportation, handling, carriage, and storage of 

pollutants (see Part 2.1.5). If water draining from storage areas comes in contact with oily 

materials, you must:

• Use dry cleanup methods or absorbents to clean up the wastewater; 

• Store the water for onshore disposal; or 

• Run the water through an oily water separator when required by Coast Guard 

regulations, or if not subject to such requirement, use other effective methods to 

comply with Part 2.1.4 of this permit to prevent the discharge of any oils, 

including oily materials, into waters subject to this permit in quantities which may 

be harmful as defined in 40 CFR Part 110. This permit does not authorize the 

discharge of any oily water which might otherwise be inconsistent with 

requirements found in the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships or under the 

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

modified by the protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). 

2.1.2 Toxic and Hazardous Materials 

Where consistent with vessel design and construction, you must locate toxic and hazardous 

materials in protected areas of the vessel unless the Master determines this would interfere with 

essential vessel operations or safety of the vessel or doing so would violate any applicable 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

20 

regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is 

operating that establish specifications for safe transportation, handling, carriage, and storage of 

pollutants (see Part 2.1.5). Any discharge made for the foregoing reasons must be documented as 

part of the requirements in Part 4.2. This requirement includes ensuring that toxic and hazardous 

materials are in appropriate sealed containers constructed of a suitable material, labeled, and 

secured. Containers must not be overfilled and incompatible wastes should not be mixed. 

Exposure of containers to ocean spray or precipitation must be minimized. Jettisoning of 

containers holding toxic or hazardous material is not authorized by this permit. 

2.1.3 Fuel Spills/Overflows

Fuel spills or overflows must not result in a discharge of oil in quantities that may be harmful, 

pursuant to 40 CFR Part 110. You must conduct all fueling operations using control measures 

and practices designed to minimize spills and overflows and ensure prompt containment and 

cleanup if they occur. Vessel operators must not overfill fuel tanks. For vessels with 

interconnected fuel tanks, fueling must be conducted in a manner that prevents overfilling and 

release from the system to the environment. 

Vessels with air vents from fuel tanks must use spill containment or other methods to prevent or 

contain any fuel or oil spills. Large-scale fuel spills or overflows are not incidental to the normal 

operation of the vessel and are not authorized by this permit. 

The following requirements apply to fueling of auxiliary vessels such as lifeboats, tenders or 

rescue boats deployed from “host” vessels subject to this permit: 

• While fueling, examine the surrounding water for the presence of a visible sheen. 

If a visible sheen is observed, as a result of your fueling, it must be cleaned up 

immediately.

• It is important to know the capacity of the fuel tanks before you begin fueling in 

order to prevent unintentionally overfilling the tank.

• Prevent overfilling and do not top off your fuel tanks. 

• When possible, fill fuel tanks while boat is on shore or recovered from the water. 

• When possible, fill portable tanks on shore or on the host vessel, not on the 

auxiliary vessel. 

• Use an oil absorbent material or other appropriate device while fueling the 

auxiliary vessel to catch drips from the vent overflow and fuel intake. 

• Regularly inspect the fuel and hydraulic systems for any damage or leaks. 

Owner/operators shall ensure that any crew responsible for conducting fueling operations are 

trained in methods to minimize spills caused by human error and/or the improper use of 

equipment. 

2.1.4 Discharges of Oil Including Oily Mixtures

All discharges of oil, including oily mixtures, from ships subject to Annex I of the International 

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships as implemented by the Act to Prevent 

Pollution from Ships and U.S. Coast Guard regulations found in 33 CFR § 151.09 (hereinafter 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

21 

referred to as “MARPOL vessels”) must have concentrations of oil less than 15 parts per million 

(ppm) (as measured by EPA Method 1664 or other appropriate method for determination of oil 

content as accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g. ISO Method 9377) 

or U.S. Coast Guard) before discharge. All MARPOL vessels must have a current International 

Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP) issued in accordance with 33 CFR §§ 151.19 or 

151.21. All other discharges of oil including oily mixtures must not contain oil in quantities that 

may be harmful, pursuant to 40 CFR Part 110. 

2.1.5 Compliance with Other Statutes and Regulations

As required by 40 CFR §122.44(p), you must comply with any applicable regulations 

promulgated by the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating that 

establish specifications for safe transportation, handling, carriage, and storage of pollutants. 

Any discharge from your vessel must comply with sections 311 (33 USC 1321) of the CWA, the 

Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS 33 USC §§ 1905-1915), the National Marine 

Sanctuaries Act, (16 USC 1431 et seq.) and implementing regulations found at 15 CFR Part 922 

and 50 CFR Part 404, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA, 7 USC § 

136 et seq.), and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA of 1990, 33 USC § 2701-2720). 

The US Code of Federal Regulations containing these provisions can be found at: 

www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/. 

2.1.6 General Training

All owner/operators of vessels must ensure that the master, operator, person-in-charge, and crew 

members who actively take part in the management of incidental discharges or who may affect 

those discharges are adequately trained in implementing the terms of this permit. This training 

need not be formal or accredited courses; however, it is the vessel owners/operators’ 

responsibility to ensure these staff are given the necessary information to conduct shipboard 

activities in accordance with the terms of this permit.

Vessel owners/operators must also meet all training-related recordkeeping requirements of Part 

4.2 of this permit. 

2.2 Effluent Limits and Related Requirements for Specific Discharge Categories 

The requirements in Part 2.2 constitute technology-based effluent limitations and related 

requirements except where it is specifically noted that the requirements constitute water quality 

based limits.

2.2.1 Deck Washdown and Runoff and Above Water Line Hull Cleaning 

Vessel owner/operators must minimize the introduction of on-deck debris, garbage, residue, and 

spill into deck washdown and runoff discharges. Before deck washdowns occur, you must broom 

clean exposed decks or use comparable management measures and remove all existing debris. 

When required by their class societies (e.g., oil tankers), their flag Administrations, or the U.S. 

Coast Guard, vessels must be fitted with and use perimeter spill rails and scuppers to collect the 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

22 

runoff for treatment. Where feasible, machinery on deck must have coamings or drip pans where 

necessary to collect any oily discharge that may leak from machinery and prevent spills. The drip 

pans must be drained to a waste container for proper disposal and/or periodically wiped and 

cleaned. The presence of floating solids, visible foam, halogenated phenol compounds, and 

dispersants, or surfactants in deck washdowns must be minimized. Vessel owners/operators must 

minimize deck washdowns while in port. 

Vessel owners/operators must maintain their topside surface and other above water line portions 

of the vessel to minimize the discharge of rust (and other corrosion by-products), cleaning 

compounds, paint chips, non-skid material fragments, and other materials associated with 

exterior topside surface preservation. Furthermore, vessel owners/operators must minimize 

residual paint droplets from entering waters subject to this permit whenever they are conducting 

maintenance painting. Possible minimization techniques include, but are not limited to, avoiding 

paint spraying in windy conditions or avoiding overapplication of paint. This permit does not 

authorize the disposal of unused paint into waters subject to this permit. 

If deck washdowns or above water line hull cleaning will result in a discharge, they must be 

conducted with “non-toxic” and “phosphate free” cleaners and detergents as defined in Appendix 

A of this permit. Furthermore, cleaners and detergents should not be caustic and must be 

biodegradable. 

2.2.2 Bilgewater/Oily Water Separator Effluent 

All bilgewater discharges must be in compliance with the regulations in 40 CFR Parts 110 

(Discharge of Oil), 116 (Designation of Hazardous Substances), and 117 (Determination of 

Reportable Quantities for Hazardous Substances) and 33 CFR §151.10 (Control of Oil 

Discharges). In addition: 

• Vessel operators may not use dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals, or 

other substances that remove the appearance of a visible sheen1 in their bilgewater 

discharges. This requirement does not prohibit the use of these materials in 

machinery spaces for the purposes of maintaining or cleaning equipment. 

• Except in the case of flocculants or other required additives (excluding any 

dispersants or surfactants) used to enhance oil/water separation during processing 

(after bilgewater has been removed from the bilge), vessel operators may not add 

substances that drain to the bilgewater that are not produced in the normal 

operation of a vessel. The use of oil solidifiers, flocculants, or other required 

additives are allowed only as part of an oil water separation system provided they 

do not alter the chemical make-up of the oils being discharged and any discharge 

of such materials into waters subject to this permit must be minimized. Routine 

cleaning and maintenance activities associated with vessel equipment and 

 

1 40 CFR 110.4 states that: “addition of dispersants or emulsifiers to oil to be discharged that would circumvent 

the provisions of this part is prohibited.” 33 CFR 151.10 (g) states that: “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.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

23 

structures are considered to be normal operation of a vessel if those practices fall 

within normal marine practice.

• All vessels must minimize the discharge of bilgewater into waters subject to this 

permit. This can be done by minimizing the production of bilgewater, disposing 

of bilgewater on shore where adequate facilities exist, or discharging into waters 

not subject to this permit (i.e., more than 3 nautical miles [nm] from shore) for 

vessels that regularly travel into such waters. Though not regulated under this 

permit, EPA notes that discharges of bilgewater outside waters subject to this 

permit (i.e., more than 3 nm from shore) are regulated under Annex I of the 

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships as 

implemented by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and U.S. Coast Guard 

regulations found in 33 CFR part 151. 

• Vessels greater than 400 gross tons shall not discharge untreated oily bilgewater 

into waters subject to this permit.

• Vessels greater than 400 gross tons that regularly sail outside the territorial sea (at 

least once per month) shall not discharge treated bilgewater within 1 nm of shore 

if technologically feasible (e.g., holding would not impact safety and stability, 

would not contaminate other holds or cargo, or would not interfere with essential 

operations of the vessel). Any discharge which is not technologically feasible to 

avoid must be documented as part of the requirements in Part 4.2 and reported to 

EPA as part of the vessel’s annual report. 

• Vessels greater than 400 gross tons shall not discharge treated bilgewater into 

waters referenced in Appendix G unless the discharge is necessary to maintain the 

safety and stability of the ship. Any discharge of bilgewater into these waters 

must be documented as part of the recordkeeping requirements in Part 4.2 and 

reported to EPA as part of the vessel’s annual report. 

• For vessels greater than 400 gross tons that regularly sail outside the territorial sea 

(at least once per month), if treated bilgewater is discharged into waters subject to 

this permit, it must be discharged when the vessel is underway (sailing at speeds 

greater than 6 knots), unless doing so would threaten the safety and stability of the 

ship. EPA notes that vessel operators may also choose to dispose of bilgewater on 

shore where adequate facilities exist. Any discharge which is made for safety 

reasons must be documented as part of the requirements in Part 4.2 and reported 

to EPA as part of the vessel’s annual report. 

Note: EPA is specifically seeking comment on whether to alter the bilgewater management 

regime for new build vessels and whether to provide existing vessels with additional bilgewater 

management options. Please see Part 4.4.2 of the Fact Sheet for details.

2.2.3 Ballast Water

All discharges of ballast water must comply with the requirements in this permit as described 

below. Additionally, owner/operators of all vessels subject to coverage under this permit which 

are equipped with Ballast Tanks must comply with any additional BMPs in this section. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

24 

In addition, as a condition of this permit, all discharges of ballast water must also comply with 

applicable U.S. Coast Guard regulations found in 33 CFR Part 151. 

All discharges of ballast water may not contain oil, noxious liquid substances (NLSs), or 

hazardous substances in a manner prohibited by U.S. laws, including section 311 of the Clean 

Water Act. 

2.2.3.1 Training

All owner/operators of vessels equipped with ballast water tanks must train the master, operator, 

person-in-charge, and crew members who actively take part in the management of the discharge 

or who may affect the discharge, on the application of ballast water and sediment management 

and treatment procedures. As part of Ballast Water Management Plans under 2.2.3.2, a standalone training plan, or other recordkeeping documentation, owner/operators must maintain a 

written training plan describing the training to be provided and a record of the date of training 

provided to each person trained. Persons required to be trained must be trained promptly upon 

installation of treatment technology and in the event of a significant change in ballast water 

treatment practices or technology. 

2.2.3.2 Ballast Water Management Plans 

All owner/operators of vessels equipped with ballast water tanks must maintain a ballast water 

management plan that has been developed specifically for the vessel that will ensure that those 

responsible for the plan’s implementation understand and follow the vessel’s ballast water 

management strategy. Owner/operators must make that plan available upon request to EPA or its 

authorized representative. Vessel owner/operators must assure that the master and crew members 

who actively take part in the management of the discharge or who may affect the discharge 

understand and follow the management strategy laid out in the plan. 

At a minimum, all vessels must have a plan which outlines how they will meet the requirements 

of Part 2.2.3.3 of this permit. The plan must also include how vessels will comply with training 

requirements of 2.2.3.1 and meet all other subparts of Part 2.2.3 as applicable. EPA notes that a 

Ballast Water Management Plan is also required by the United States Coast Guard by 33 CFR 

Part 151. Provided owner/operators meet the requirements discussed above, EPA expects that 

vessels will need one ballast water management plan to meet both EPA and USCG requirements.

2.2.3.3 Mandatory Ballast Water Management Practices: Management measures 

required of all vessel owner/operators

Masters, owners, operators, or persons-in-charge of all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks 

that operate in waters of the U.S. must: 

• Avoid the discharge or uptake of ballast water in areas / into waters subject to this 

permit within, or that may directly affect, marine sanctuaries, marine preserves, 

marine parks, or coral reefs or other waters listed in Appendix G waters (also 

called Part 12 waters). 

• Minimize or avoid uptake of ballast water in the following areas and situations: 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

25 

— Areas known to have infestations or populations of harmful organisms and 

pathogens (e.g., toxic algal blooms). 

— Areas near sewage outfalls. 

— Areas near dredging operations. 

— Areas where tidal flushing is known to be poor or times when a tidal 

stream is known to be turbid. 

— In darkness, when bottom-dwelling organisms may rise up in the water 

column. 

— Where propellers may stir up the sediment. 

— Areas with pods of whales, convergence zones, and boundaries of major 

currents 

• Clean ballast tanks regularly to remove sediments in mid-ocean (when not 

otherwise prohibited by applicable law) or under controlled arrangements in port, 

or at dry dock. 

• No discharge of sediments from cleaning of ballast tanks is authorized in waters 

subject to this permit.

• When discharging ballast water in port, if the vessel is equipped with high and 

low suction within ballast tanks, utilize the high suction for ballast tank discharge 

to minimize the discharge of entrained sediment. The low suction may be used to 

strip sediment from tanks when suitable disposal facilities are available. 

• Minimize the discharge of ballast water essential for vessel operations while in 

the waters subject to this permit.

Suggested control measures to minimize the discharge of ballast water include, but are not 

limited to, transferring ballast water between tanks within the vessel in lieu of ballast water 

discharge. Another option is to use public water supply for ballast. 

2.2.3.4 Mandatory Ballast Water Management Practices for Existing Bulk Carrier 

vessels (commonly known as Lakers) built before January 1, 2009, confined 

exclusively to the Great Lakes upstream of the Welland Canal 

Existing Bulk Carrier Vessels known as “Lakers” that operate exclusively in the Great Lakes 

upstream of the Welland Canal (i.e. those vessels confined to the upper Great Lakes because they 

are too large to exit the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence Seaway) must meet the following 

additional ballast water management requirements:

• Each owner/operator must perform annual inspections on their vessel to assess 

sediment accumulations. Removal of sediment, if necessary, must be carried out. 

Each vessel owner/operator must develop sediment removal policies as part of the 

Ballast Water Management Plan. Records of sediment removal and disposal 

(including facility name and location and all invoices) shall be kept onboard the 

vessel. EPA notes the discharge of sediments from cleaning of ballast tanks is not 

authorized in waters subject to this permit (see Part 2.2.3.3 of this permit).

• When practical and safe, vessels must minimize the ballast water taken dockside. 

This will typically mean limiting uptake to the amount of ballast water required to 

safely depart the dock and then complete ballasting in deeper water.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

26 

• The vessel sea chest screen is the first line of defense in keeping large living 

organisms out of the vessel ballast water tanks. Owner/operators of Laker vessels 

must perform annual inspections of their sea chest screens to assure that they are 

fully intact. The inspection must assure that there is no deterioration which has 

resulted in wider openings or holes in the screen. If the screen has deteriorated 

such that there are wider openings than the screen design, the vessel owner 

operator must repair or replace the screen. Any repairs must be of sufficient 

quality that they are expected to last at least one year.

If a confined Laker meets the permit limits found in Part 2.2.3.5 of this permit, the vessel 

owner/operator is not required to conduct the additional management measures found in Part 

2.2.3.4, but must still comply with Part 2.2.3.3. 

2.2.3.5 Ballast Water Numeric Discharge Limitations 

Owners/operator must meet the following discharge limits consistent with the schedule found in 

Part 2.2.3.5.2, unless you are excluded from these requirements by Parts 2.2.3.5.3 or 2.2.3.8 of 

this permit:

1. For organisms greater than or equal to 50 micrometers in minimum dimension: 

discharge must include fewer than 10 living organisms per cubic meter of ballast 

water.

2. For organisms less than 50 micrometers and greater than or equal to 10 

micrometers: discharge must include fewer than 10 living organisms per milliliter 

(mL) of ballast water.

3. Indicator microorganisms must not exceed: 

(i) For Toxicogenic Vibrio cholerae (serotypes O1 and O139): a 

concentration of less than 1 colony forming unit (cfu) per 100 mL. 

(ii) For Escherichia coli: a concentration of fewer than 250 cfu per 100 mL. 

(iii) For intestinal enterococci: a concentration of fewer than 100 cfu per 100 

mL.

These limits may be met by using one of the ballast water management measures in Parts 

2.2.3.5.1., 2.2.3.5.1.2, 2.2.3.5.1.3, or 2.2.3.5.1.4. 

Note: EPA will continue to explore new technologies with industry and states, and when 

warranted, will make this numeric limit more stringent in the future (see discussion in section 

4.4.3.5.1 of the fact sheet). Additionally, EPA encourages and anticipates, as part of this 

process, that states will continue to work with industry to test and provide opportunities for new 

technologies. 

2.2.3.5.1 Ballast Water Management Measures 

In addition to the other requirements of this permit, owner/operators of vessels with the capacity 

to carry greater than or equal to 8 cubic meters of ballast water may use one of the four following 

ballast water management methods to meet the numeric discharge limits in Part 2.2.3.5: 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

27 

2.2.3.5.1.1 Ballast Water Management using a Ballast Water Treatment System 

Vessel owner/operators utilizing a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) must use a system 

which has been shown to be effective by testing in accordance with the EPA-ETV protocol for 

the verification of ballast water treatment technology conducted by an independent third party 

laboratory, test facility or test organization. Once the effluent limits in Part 2.2.3.5 become 

applicable to a vessel (see part 2.2.3.5.2 for applicability timeframes for specified categories of 

vessels), owners/operators of vessels utilizing a ballast water treatment system to meet the 

requirements of Part 2.2.3.5 of this permit must meet those limits as an instantaneous maximum. 

Additionally, following installation of a BWTS, the master, owner, operator, agent, or person in 

charge of the vessel must maintain the BWTS in accordance with all manufacturer specifications. 

Furthermore, all treatment must be conducted in accordance with the BWTS manufacturer’s 

instructions. The BWTS must be used prior to any discharge of ballast water to waters of the 

U.S.

2.2.3.5.1.1.1 Monitoring From Vessels Using Ballast Water Treatment Systems

The monitoring requirements in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1 apply to ballast water discharges from vessels 

employing ballast water treatment systems that are required to achieve the effluent limitations of 

Part 2.2.3.5. The monitoring is divided into three components. The first, in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.2, is 

required of all vessels and generally requires monitoring equipment performance to assure the 

system is fully functional. Vessels conducting this monitoring also must adequately calibrate 

their equipment as required in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.3. The second component, in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.4

requires monitoring from all ballast water systems for selected biological indicators. The third 

component, in part 2.2.3.5.1.1.5 requires monitoring of the ballast water discharge itself for 

biocides and residuals to assure compliance with the effluent limitations established in part 

2.2.3.5 of the permit, as applicable. 

2.2.3.5.1.1.2 Ballast Water System Functionality Monitoring

Ballast water treatment systems use physical and/or chemical processes, or a combination 

thereof, to achieve reductions in living organisms. The use of physical/chemical indicators of 

treatment performance verifies that the ballast water treatment system is operating according to 

the manufacturers’ operating specifications. To assess the BWTS functionality, monitoring 

indicators of the BWTS functionality is required at least once per month for specific parameters 

that are applicable to your system. The required parameters to be monitored, with appropriate 

monitoring approaches are contained in Appendix J. For example, if your system uses a filter 

and chlorine dioxide, you must meet the requirements for systems using both filters and chlorine 

dioxide. If your system uses cavitation, UV, and hypochlorite generation, you must monitor 

conditions for all three treatment units. EPA expects that most ballast water treatment systems 

will make use of at least two physical and/or chemical processes. 

Most ballast water treatment systems have control and self diagnostic equipment such as sensors 

that continuously measure treatment parameters to verify performance. The metrics to be 

monitored are based on common approaches used in ballast water treatment systems. As new 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

28 

approaches become commonly available, EPA will develop new monitoring parameters as 

appropriate. 

2.2.3.5.1.1.3 Ballast Water monitoring equipment calibration

At a minimum, all applicable sensors and other equipment must be calibrated annually. 

Additionally, all applicable sensors and other control equipment must be calibrated no less 

frequently than recommended by the sensor or other equipment manufacturer, or by the ballast 

water treatment system manufacturer or when warranted based on device drift from a standard or 

calibrated setting. EPA expects many sensor types (e.g., pH probes, TRO sensors, turbidity 

sensors) will need to be calibrated on a more frequent basis. Calibration of the sensors and 

equipment can be conducted on-board the vessel or they can be removed and shipped to the 

manufacturer or other vendor for calibration. During the period when the sensors are not 

installed (or otherwise inoperable thus significantly compromising the performance of the ballast 

water treatment system), the vessel must not discharge ballast water.

2.2.3.5.1.1.4 Effluent Biological Organism Monitoring

Once a ballast water treatment system is required to be installed onboard a vessel (see part 

2.2.3.5.2 for applicability and timeframe for installation of such vessels), any ballast water 

discharges from such vessels will be subject to the effluent limitations in Part 2.2.3.5 of this 

permit. To ascertain compliance with the effluent limitation in that section, EPA is establishing 

the following biological indicator compliance monitoring. These samples can be taken by 

collecting a small volume sample from the ballast water discharge (consistent with the sampling 

guidance found in EPA’s Generic Protocol for the Verification of Ballast Water Treatment 

Technology) and analyzing the sample for concentrations of certain biological indicator 

parameters. Analysis of concentrations of indicator organisms must include monitoring for the 

parameters in Table 2 below utilizing the methods in that table, or other EPA Part 136 methods 

as applicable. 

Table 2: Indicator Organism Monitoring Parameters

Measurement Instrument 

or Analysis

EPA 

Method

Standard 

Method

ASTM ISO Other

Total 

heterotrophic 

bacteria

Plate counts SM 9215 ASTM 

D5465

ISO 

6222:1999

E. coli Selective 

substrate 

EPA Method 

1103.1 and 

1603

SM 9223B ASTM 

D5392 – 93

ISO 9308-

1:2000

Colilert®

Enterococci Selective 

substrate

EPA Method 

1106.1 and 

1600

SM 9230C ASTM 

D5259 – 

92(2006)

ISO 7899-

2:2000

Enterolert®

Biological indicator compliance monitoring sampling of ballast water effluent must be conducted 

2 times per year for vessels with type approved devices for which high quality type approval 

data are available, and 4 times per year for non-type approved devices or type approved devices 

for which high quality data are not available. Each sample must be tested independently and the 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

29 

individual results must be reported and not averaged. Monitoring must be conducted at least 14 

days apart from different discharge events. 

Type approved devices for which high quality type approval data are available means either:

a) any ballast water treatment system type approved by the United States federal 

government; or 

b) any ballast water treatment system: 

i. type approved by a foreign administration; 

ii. for which efficacy testing was conducted by an independent 3rd party testing 

organization, either in accordance with the ETV protocol or in a manner 

consistent with the ETV protocol with respect to QA/QC procedures, the use of 

validated methods including appropriate volumes of representative samples, and 

full description and documentation of test procedures, results and analyses; and

iii. all active substance data (e.g., the full data package submitted to the flag 

administration for type approval) have all been made available to the US EPA. 

2.2.3.5.1.1.5 Requirements and Effluent Limitations for BWTS that use Active Substances (e.g., 

biocides) 

2.2.3.5.1.1.5.1 Authorization of Residual Biocides Associated with Ballast Water Treatment 

Systems

Many ballast water treatment systems produce or use biocides as an agent to reduce living 

organisms present in the ballast water tank. In order to be eligible for coverage under this permit, 

any ballast water treatment system must not use any biocide that is a “pesticide” within the 

meaning of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C § 136 et seq.) 

unless that biocide has been registered for use in ballast water treatment under such Act. The 

requirement in the preceding sentence does not apply if such biocide is generated solely by the 

use of a “device” on board the same vessel as the ballast water to be treated by the biocide, as the 

term “device” is defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. In addition, 

if the ballast water treatment system uses or generates biocides and you will discharge ballast 

water treated with biocides into waters subject to this permit, you must meet one of the following 

conditions to be eligible for permit coverage. 

The discharge of biocides or residuals may not exceed the following instantaneous maximum 

limits expressed as micrograms per liter (μg/l). 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

30 

Table 3: Maximum Ballast Water Effluent Limits for Residual Biocides

Biocide or Residual Limit

(instantaneous maximum)

Chlorine Dioxide 200 μg/l

Chlorine (expressed as Total Residual Oxidizers (TRO as TRC)) 100 μg/l

Ozone (expressed as Total Residual Oxidizers (TRO as TRC)) 100 μg/l

Peracetic Acid 500 μg/l

Hydrogen Peroxide (for systems using Peracetic Acid) 1,000 μg/l

Any other biocides or derivatives may not exceed acute water quality criteria listed in EPA’s 

1986 Quality Criteria for Water [the Gold Book], and any subsequent revision, at the point of 

ballast water discharge. The Gold Book can be found at: 

www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/library/goldbook.pdf. Tables summarizing the subsequent 

revisions can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/wqctable/index.html. 

Discharges of biocide residuals or derivatives must also meet monitoring requirements under 

Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.1, and reporting and recordkeeping requirements in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.6. 

If the biocide used or produced by your system and its derivatives is not listed in the previous 

table or found in EPA’s Gold Book, you must notify EPA at least 120 days in advance of its use 

and provide any associated aquatic toxicity data for that biocide or its derivatives of which you 

are aware. EPA may impose additional limitations on a treatment system-specific basis, or 

require you to obtain coverage under an individual permit, if necessary. EPA may inform the 

vessel owner/operator of specific requirements. You may also seek coverage under an individual 

NPDES permit pursuant to Part 1.8.2 of this permit. You may not discharge the biocide at issue 

until you receive a response from EPA to your notification. 

2.2.3.5.1.1.5.2 Residual Biocide and Derivative Monitoring 

For vessels subject to Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.1, you must conduct monitoring of the vessel ballast water 

discharge for any residual biocides or derivatives used in the treatment process, in part to 

demonstrate compliance with the conditions in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.5.1. For instance, if chlorine is the 

biocide used in the ballast water treatment, you must test for residual chlorine in the vessel 

ballast water discharge to see if it complies with the standards in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.5.1. 

In order to demonstrate that residual biocides or derivatives are in compliance with this permit, 

that substantial quantities of harmful byproducts are not produced, and provide EPA with needed 

information about system functionality, the vessel operator initially must take samples according 

to the following: 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

31 

Table 4: Monitoring Schedule for Residual Biocides or Derivatives of the Residual 

Biocide

Type approved devices for which 

high quality type approval data are 

available

Type approved devices for 

which high quality data are not 

available

Initial 

Monitoring 

3 times in the first 10 discharge events

(not to exceed a 180 day period) 

5 times in the first 10 discharge 

events (not to exceed a 180 day 

period)

Maintenance 

monitoring

2 times per year 4 times per year

Type approved devices for which high quality type approval data are available means either:

a) any ballast water treatment system type approved by the United States 

federal government; or 

b) any ballast water treatment system: 

i. type approved by a foreign administration; 

ii. for which efficacy testing was conducted by an independent 3rd 

party testing organization, either in accordance with the ETV 

protocol or in a manner consistent with the ETV protocol with 

respect to QA/QC procedures, the use of validated methods 

including appropriate volumes of representative samples, and full 

description and documentation of test procedures, results and 

analyses; and

iii. all active substance data (e.g., the full data package submitted to 

the flag administration for type approval) have all been made 

available to the US EPA. 

Each sample must be tested independently and the individual results must be reported and not 

averaged. Samples must be tested as soon as possible after sampling, and may not be held longer 

than recommended for each tested constituent as given in 40 CFR Part 136. Sampling and testing 

shall be conducted using a sufficiently sensitive method according to 40 CFR Part 136 or may 

use an alternate method if allowed in Table 5 below.

Table 5: Residual Biocides and Biocide Derivative Monitoring Requirements

Biocide Analyte Analytical 

Methods

Minimum 

Sample 

Volume

Sample 

Holding 

Time

MDL Effluent 

Limit or 

Action

Limit Type

Alkylamines Alkylamines EPA 

Method 

8360B and 

8270D

25 mL 

(8260B)

14 days 

(8260B)

Varies by 

compound 

(8260D); 

10 μg/L 

(8270C)

Report NA
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

32 

Table 5: Residual Biocides and Biocide Derivative Monitoring Requirements

Biocide Analyte Analytical 

Methods

Minimum 

Sample 

Volume

Sample 

Holding 

Time

MDL Effluent 

Limit or 

Action

Limit Type

Chlorine or 

Chlorine 

dioxide

Chlorine dioxide EPA 

Method 

327.0-1; 

SM 4500 

ClO2 E 

16 mL 

(327.0-1)

4 hours 

(327.0-

1); As 

soon as 

possible 

(SM)

Varies 

(327.0-1); 

10 to 100 

mg/L (SM)

200 μg/L Instantaneous 

Maximum

Total Residual 

Oxidizers (TRO) 

as Cl2

SM 4500-

Cl G; ISO 

7393/2

50 mL 15 

minutes

10 μg/L, 

under ideal 

conditions

100 μg/L Instantaneous 

Maximum

Chlorite* EPA 

Method 

300.1

250 mL 14 days Varies Report NA

Chlorate* EPA 

Method 

300.1

250 mL 28 days Varies Report NA

Total 

trihalomethanesa* 

EPA 

Method 

8260

25 mL 14 days Varies Report NA

Haloacetic acidsb* EPA 

Method 

552.2 

40 mL 14 days Varies by 

compound

Report NA

Menadione Menadione NA Report NA

Ozone Total Residual 

Oxidizers (TRO) 

as Cl2

SM 4500-

Cl G; ISO 

7393/2

50 mL 15 

minutes

10 μg/L, 

under ideal 

conditions

100 μg/L NA

Bromate* EPA 

Method 

317 ; EPA 

Method 

300.1; 

ASTM D 

6581-00

250 mL 28 days 

(317; 

300.1)

Varies 

(317; 

300.1)

Report NA

Bromoform* EPA 

Method 

8260

25 mL 14 days Varies Report NA

Total 

trihalomethanesa* 

EPA 

Method 

8260

25 mL 14 days Varies Report NA

Haloacetic acidsb* EPA 

Method 

552.2 

40 mL 14 days Varies by 

compound

Report NA

Peracetic Acid pH SM 4500 

H+

25 mL As soon 

as 

possible

6.5 – 9 

s.u.

Instantaneous 

Maximum

Peracetic acid Photometri

c analysis 

(Pinkernell, 

1997; EMD 

Chemicals, 

2011; 

CHEMetric

s 2010)

25 mL As soon 

as 

possible

500 μg/L Report NA
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

33 

Table 5: Residual Biocides and Biocide Derivative Monitoring Requirements

Biocide Analyte Analytical 

Methods

Minimum 

Sample 

Volume

Sample 

Holding 

Time

MDL Effluent 

Limit or 

Action

Limit Type

Hydrogen 

peroxide/

Titimetric 

analysis 

(JIS K 

1463:2007; 

EMD 

Chemicals, 

2011; 

CHEMetric

s 2010))

25 mL As soon 

as 

possible

500 μg/L Report NA

* Potential byproduct or derivative

a. Total trihalomethanes is the sum of the concentrations of chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and 

bromoform.

b. Haloacetic acids is the sum of the concentrations of mono-, di-, and trichloroacetic acids and mono- and dibromoacetic 

acids.

ISO: International Organization for Standardization

SM: Standard Methods

MDL: Method detection limit

NA: Not applicable

2.2.3.5.1.1.6 Ballast Water Treatment System Recordkeeping and Reporting 

Records of sampling and testing results required under Part 2.2.3.5.1.1 must be retained onboard 

for a period of three years in the vessel’s recordkeeping documentation. Vessels must also 

submit the testing results to EPA using EPA’s e-reporting system as part of the vessel’s annual 

report (unless you are eligible to submit a hard copy of the annual report). 

Records of monitoring information shall include: 

• The ballast water treatment system used, its type approval certificate, and records 

of whether the system is a vessel with type approved devices for which all type 

approval data have been made available;

• The individual(s) who performed the sampling, measurements, and/or inspections; 

• The date(s) analyses and/or inspections were performed;

• Any sensor or other control equipment calibration and functional tests conducted 

during the inspection as applicable; 

• The techniques or methods used for any sensor or other control equipment 

calibration and functional tests as applicable;

• The date and time of all monitoring results (monitoring in Parts 2.2.3.5.1.1.2, 

2.2.3.5.1.1.4, and 2.2.3.5.1.1.5, as applicable);

• The analytical techniques or methods used as applicable, and 

• The results of such analyses.

You must submit your monitoring data as part of your annual report. For systems already in use 

as of the effective date of this permit, initial sampling data must be submitted with the first 

annual report. For systems which are not already in use as of the effective date of this permit, 

initial sampling data must be submitted on the annual report following the calendar year of the 

system’s first use. Data must be submitted on the Ballast Water Treatment System Report form 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

34 

attached to the annual report available in Appendix H of this permit or submitted to EPA’s ereporting system available at www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/eNOI. 

2.2.3.5.1.2 Onshore Treatment of Ballast Water

For those vessels whose design and construction safely allows for the transfer of ballast water to 

shore, if compatible onshore treatment for ballast water is available, the vessel owner/operator 

may use onshore treatment for any ballast water discharges to meet the requirements of 2.2.3.5. 

EPA notes that the lack of availability of adequate reception facilities is not an acceptable reason 

to discharge ballast water which does not meet the treatment requirements found in Part 

2.2.3.5.1.1 into waters subject to this permit, and such discharges would therefore constitute a 

permit violation.

Any vessel owner/operator utilizing onshore treatment must ensure that all piping and supporting 

infrastructure up to the last manifold or valve immediately before the dock manifold connection 

of the receiving facility or similar appurtenance on a reception vessel must be fully free from any 

leaks or other avenues whereby untreated ballast may be discharged into waters subject to this 

permit. 

EPA notes that transferring ballast water to a treatment barge for eventual treatment and

discharge could constitute “on-shore treatment” for purposes of this subpart. The discharge of 

treated ballast water (transferred from other vessels) from a treatment barge is not eligible for 

coverage under the VGP as this is a discharge from an industrial operations, not a discharge 

incidental to the normal operation of a vessel. Instead, these vessels must apply for individual 

NPDES permit coverage from the appropriate NPDES permitting authority, generally the State 

in which they are operating. 

2.2.3.5.1.3 Use of Public Water Supply Water 

Vessels may meet the requirements of Part 2.2.3.5 by using only water from a U.S. public water 

system or Canadian drinking water system (both referred to as PWS in this permit), as defined in 

a) 40 CFR 141.2 and subject to the requirements of 40 CFR parts 141 and 143 or b) Health 

Canada’s “Guidance For Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction,” as 

ballast water. Vessels using water from a PWS as ballast must maintain a record of which PWS 

they received the water and a receipt, invoice, or other documentation from the PWS indicating 

that water came from that system. 

Vessels using water from a PWS must use such water exclusively for all ballast water to avoid 

contamination of the ballast water tank. Vessels using PWS water as ballast must have either:

• Previously cleaned the ballast tanks (including removing all residual sediments) 

and not subsequently introduced ambient water; or 

• Never introduced ambient water to those tanks and supply lines. 

Vessels utilizing water from a PWS as ballast water must certify in their recordkeeping 

documentation that they have met all the requirements of this section, including maintaining 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

35 

certification by the master or NOI certifier that one of the two above conditions are met 

regarding contamination. 

In the event a vessel that normally uses PWS water as ballast is forced for purposes of vessel 

safety to take on untreated ballast water from a sea, estuary, lake or river source, such vessel may 

not return to using PWS water until the tanks and supply lines have been cleaned, including 

removal of all residual sediments.

2.2.3.5.1.4 No Discharge of Ballast Water

Vessels may meet the requirements of Part 2.2.3.5 of this permit by not discharging any ballast 

water into waters subject to this permit. EPA notes that any discharge of untreated ballast water, 

including for reasons of unscheduled voyages, loading of unexpected cargo, etc., do not qualify 

as an acceptable reason to discharge untreated ballast water into waters subject to this permit, 

and therefore constitute a permit violation. EPA notes that in the case of a shipboard emergency 

that endangers the safety of the vessel or its crew, ballast water may need to be pumped out 

quickly by bypassing the BWTS. In such cases, the provisions regarding the prohibition of 

bypassing treatment where unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury of severe property 

damage may be applicable. See 40 CFR 122.41(m)(4)(A) and Part 1.13 of this permit. 

2.2.3.5.2 Schedule for when Ballast Water Treatment Becomes BAT (and Therefore Required) 

Table 6 describes when BWTS will become the Best Available Technology Economically 

Achievable (BAT) and thus when any ballast water discharges from such vessels will be subject 

to the Effluent limitations in Part 2.2.3.5.1 of this permit. Vessels must meet the requirements in 

Part 2.2.3.5.1 according to the schedule below in Table 6. 

Table 6: Ballast Water Treatment to BAT Schedule

Vessel’s

Ballast Water 

Capacity

Date Constructed Vessel’s Compliance

Date

New

vessels

After January 1, 2012 On delivery

Existing

vessels

Less than 1500 m3 Before January 1, 2012 First scheduled drydocking after 

January 1, 2016

1500-5000 m3 Before January 1, 2012 First scheduled drydocking after 

January 1, 2014

Greater than 5000 m3 Before January 1, 2012 First scheduled drydocking after 

January 1, 2016

2.2.3.5.3 Vessels Not Required to Meet Part 2.2.3.5 Treatment Standards 

The following Vessel Types are not required to meet Part 2.2.3.5 ballast water management 

measures:
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

36 

2.2.3.5.3.1 Vessels Engaged in Short-Distance Voyages

Vessels engaged in short distance voyages means vessels that: 

• Operate exclusively in one Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone, or 

• Vessels which do not travel more than 10 nm and cross no physical barriers or 

obstructions (e.g., locks), whether or not they operate within one U.S. Coast 

Guard COTP zone. 

2.2.3.5.3.2 Unmanned, Unpowered Barges 

Unmanned, unpowered barges such as hopper barges are not required to meet the ballast water 

management measures of Part 2.2.3.5. 

2.2.3.5.3.3 Existing Bulk Carrier Vessels (Commonly Known as Lakers) Built Before January 1, 

2009, Confined Exclusively to the Great Lakes Upstream of the Welland Canal 

Existing Lakers built before January 1, 2009 confined exclusively to the Great Lakes upstream of 

the Welland Canal are not required to meet the requirements of Part 2.2.3.5. 

2.2.3.6 Interim requirements for vessels not meeting the ballast water management 

measures in Part 2.2.3.5

Vessel owner/operators not meeting the requirements of Part 2.2.3.5 of the permit must meet the 

exchange and flushing requirements of this part as applicable. Ballast water exchange may not 

be used in lieu of meeting the numeric effluent limits in Part 2.2.3.5 of the permit once a vessel is 

required to meet these limits. Conversely, vessel owner/operators meeting the numeric effluent 

limits in Part 2.2.3.5 before they are required to do so by the implementation schedule in Part 

2.2.3.5.2 are not required to meet the exchange and flushing requirements of this subpart. 

2.2.3.6.1 Requirements for Oceangoing Voyages While Carrying Ballast Water 

Any vessels that carry ballast water that was taken on in areas less than 200 nautical miles from 

any shore that will subsequently operate beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and more 

than 200 nm from any shore must carry out an exchange of ballast water for any tanks that will 

discharge ballast water into waters subject to this permit unless the vessel meets one of the 

exemptions in Part 2.2.3.6.6. 

This exchange must be conducted in compliance with the following standards prior to 

discharging ballast water into waters subject to this permit:

• The exchange must occur in waters beyond the U.S. EEZ;

• The exchange must occur in an area more than 200 nautical miles from any shore; 

and

• The exchange must be commenced as early in the vessel voyage as possible, as 

long as the vessel is more than 200 nm from any shore. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

37 

2.2.3.6.2 Vessels Carrying Ballast Water Engaged in Pacific Nearshore Voyages 

Unless the vessel meets one of the exemptions in Part 2.2.3.6.6, any vessel engaged in Pacific 

nearshore voyages that carries ballast water that was taken on in areas less than 50 nautical miles 

from any shore must carry out an exchange of ballast water in accordance with this Part before 

discharging from any tanks that carry ballast water into waters subject to this permit if the vessel 

travels through more than one COTP zone as listed in 33 CFR Part 3 or the vessel crosses 

international boundaries. 

Vessels engaged in Pacific nearshore voyages are:

• Vessels engaged in the Pacific coastwise trade and vessels transiting between 

Pacific ports that travel between more than one Captain of the Port Zone, and 

• All other vessels that sail from foreign, non-U.S Pacific, Atlantic (including the 

Caribbean Sea), or Gulf of Mexico ports, which do not sail further than 200 nm 

from any shore, and that discharge or will discharge ballast water into the 

territorial sea or inland waters of Alaska or off the west coast of the continental 

United States.

Ballast water exchange for vessels subject to this Part must occur in waters more than 50 nautical 

miles from any shore (US or otherwise), and in waters more than 200 meters deep, prior to 

discharging ballast water into waters subject to this permit. Exchange should occur as far from 

the shore, major estuary and oceanic river plumes, subsurface physical features (e.g. seamounts), 

and known fishery habitats as practicable. Vessels engaged in voyages that take them further 

than 200 nm from any shore and who will remain outside 200 nm for a sufficient period to 

conduct exchange, are not allowed to exchange ballast water between 50 and 200 nm from shore 

to meet the requirements of Part 2.2.3.6.1 (unless the master determines that flushing farther than 

200 nm from shore would interfere with essential vessel operations or safety of the vessel but the 

master determines that the vessel is able to safely flush more than 50 nm from shore) and instead, 

must conduct exchange more than 200 nm from shore in accordance with Part 2.2.3.6.1 of this 

permit. Vessels engaged in the coastwise trade who are not outside 200 nm for a sufficient period 

to conduct exchange may conduct exchange outside 50 nm (even if they voyage beyond 200 nm) 

to meet the requirements of this permit.

2.2.3.6.3 Vessels with any Ballast Water Tanks that are Empty or have Unpumpable Residual 

Water

For vessels that travel between more than one COTP Zone while undertaking voyages described 

in Part 2.2.3.6.1 and which either reported No Ballast on Board (NOBOB) in accordance with 

Coast Guard regulations or which have any ballast water tank that is empty or contains 

unpumpable residual water, you must follow the applicable requirements in Part 2.2.3.6.1 for 

those tanks with ballast water. EPA notes that when the term “empty” tank is used, the Agency is 

also referring to tanks that contain unpumpable residual water. For those tanks which are empty 

or contain unpumpable residual water, you must either seal the tank so that there is no discharge 

or uptake and subsequent discharge of ballast water within waters subject to this permit or 

conduct saltwater flushing of such tanks in an area 200 nm from any shore prior to the discharge 

or uptake and subsequent discharge of any ballast water to any U.S. waters subject to this permit, 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

38 

unless you meet one of the exemptions in Part 2.2.3.6.6. For the purposes of Part 2.2.3.6.3, 

saltwater flushing means the addition of mid-ocean water to empty ballast water tanks; the 

mixing of the added water with residual ballast water and sediment through the motion of the 

vessel; and the discharge of the mixed water until loss of suction, such that the resulting residual 

water remaining in the tank has either a salinity greater than or equal to 30 parts per thousand 

(ppt) or a salinity concentration equal to the ambient salinity of the location where the uptake of 

the added water took place. In order to conduct saltwater flushing, the vessel should take on as 

much mid-ocean water into each tank as is safe (for the vessel and crew).

For all vessel owner/operators subject to this section that contain some empty ballast water tanks 

and some full ballast water tanks, if you elect to seal those empty tanks, you must not allow 

water that will be discharged into waters subject to this permit to commingle with waters from 

the empty tanks if you have not conducted saltwater flushing as specified above. 

2.2.3.6.4 Vessels Engaged in Pacific Nearshore Voyages with Unpumpable Ballast Water and 

Residual Sediment (including NOBOBs) 

Unless the vessel meets one of the exemptions in Part 2.2.3.6.6, any vessel engaged in Pacific 

Nearshore Voyages as defined in Part 2.2.3.6.2 which the owner/operator has reported as having 

No Ballast on Board in accordance with Coast Guard regulations, or which have any ballast 

water tank that is empty or contains unpumpable residual water, must follow the applicable 

requirements in Part 2.2.3.6.2 for those tanks with ballast water and Part 2.2.3.6.4.1 for those 

tanks which are empty or contain unpumpable residual water. 

2.2.3.6.4.1 Nearshore Saltwater Flushing Requirements

For those tanks which are empty or contain unpumpable residual water, you must either seal the 

tank so that there is no discharge or uptake and subsequent discharge of ballast water within 

waters subject to this permit or conduct saltwater flushing of such tanks in an area 50 nm from 

any shore and in waters at least 200 meters deep prior to the discharge or uptake and subsequent 

discharge of any ballast water to or from any waters subject to this permit. For purposes of Part 

2.2.3.6.4, saltwater flushing means the addition of water from the “coastal exchange zone” to 

empty ballast water tanks; the mixing of the flush water with residual water and sediment 

through the motion of the vessel; and the discharge of the mixed water, such that the resulting 

residual water remaining in the tank has either a salinity greater than or equal to 30 parts per 

thousand (ppt) or a salinity concentration equal to the ambient salinity of the location where the 

uptake of the added water took place. In order to conduct saltwater flushing, the vessel should 

take on as much coastal exchange zone water into each tank as is safe (for the vessel and crew). 

These requirements apply to all vessels on nearshore voyages carrying ballast water that will 

enter any US port in the states of Alaska, California, Oregon, or Washington and that travels 

through more than one US Coast Guard Sector. 

Vessels engaged in voyages that take them further than 200 nm from any shore and who will 

remain outside 200 nm for a sufficient period to flush ballast water, are not allowed to exchange 

ballast water between 50 and 200 nm from shore to meet the requirements of Part 2.2.3.6.3

(unless the master determines that flushing farther than 200 nm from shore would interfere with 

essential vessel operations or safety of the vessel but the master determines that the vessel is able 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

39 

to safely flush more than 50 nm from shore) and instead, must conduct flushing more than 200 

nm from shore in accordance with Part 2.2.3.6.3 of this permit. Vessels engaged in the coastwise 

trade who are not outside 200 nm for a sufficient period to conduct flushing may flush outside 50 

nm (even if they voyage beyond 200 nm) to meet the requirements of this permit. 

For all vessel owner/operators subject to this section that contain some empty ballast water tanks 

and some full ballast water tanks, if you elect to seal those empty tanks, you must not allow 

water from the full tanks to commingle with waters from the empty tanks if it will subsequently 

be discharged into waters subject to this permit. 

2.2.3.6.5 Discharge Prohibitions 

Vessels referenced in Parts 2.2.3.6.1, 2.2.3.6.2, 2.2.3.6.3, and 2.2.3.6.4 may not discharge 

unexchanged or untreated ballast water or sediment in waters subject to this permit referenced in 

Appendix G. These waters include all National Parks and National Marine Sanctuaries. 

2.2.3.6.6 Exemptions 

The operator or master of a vessel may elect not to exchange ballast water (or not conduct 

saltwater flushing if applicable) if the vessel meets one of the following conditions: 

• The master of the vessel determines, and justifies in writing, and documents in the 

log or record book, that it is unsafe to do so, in accordance with the Coast Guard 

Regulations at 33 CFR Part 151. If this exemption is claimed, the vessel operator 

must record the date, location, and reason for the claim in its recordkeeping 

documentation. Furthermore, the vessel owner/operator must report this 

information to EPA as part of its annual report. 

• The master uses an alternative, environmentally sound method of ballast water 

management that has been approved by the Commandant of the Coast Guard prior 

to the vessel's voyage in accordance with 33 C.F.R. Part 151. 

• The master retains all ballast water on board the vessel for the duration of the 

vessel’s voyage in waters subject to this permit.

• The vessel is not engaged in an international voyage and does not traverse more 

than one U.S. Coast Guard Sector. 

Additionally, except for vessels entering the Great Lakes or into Appendix G waters, a vessel is 

not required to deviate from its voyage, or delay the voyage to conduct ballast water exchange or 

saltwater flushing.

2.2.3.7 Vessels Entering the Great Lakes

In addition to complying with the requirements of this permit, all vessels that are equipped to 

carry ballast water and enter the Great Lakes must comply with 33 CFR Part 151, Subpart C 

titled: “Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species in the Great Lakes and 

Hudson River.” Vessels that operate outside the EEZ and more than 200 nm from any shore and 

then enter the Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence Seaway System must also comply with 33 

CFR Part 401.30. Vessels that are unable, due to weather, equipment failure, or other 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

40 

extraordinary condition, to effect a BWE before entering the EEZ prior to entering the Great 

Lakes, must employ another method of ballast water management listed in 33 CFR 151.1510 or 

otherwise comply with the provision of 33 CFR 151.1514. 

Additionally, vessels utilizing a ballast water treatment system (see Part 2.2.3.5.1.1 of the 

permit) must also conduct ballast water exchange or saltwater flushing (as applicable) in addition 

to treating their ballast water if they meet the following requirements:

• The vessel operates outside the EEZ and more than 200 nm from any shore and 

then enters the Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence Seaway System, and

• The vessel has taken on ballast water that has a salinity of less than 18 ppt from a 

coastal, estuarine, or freshwater ecosystem within the previous month. 

If a vessel affected by these requirements has not taken on ballast water with a salinity of less 

than 18 ppt in the previous month, the master of the vessel must certify to this effect in their 

ballast water recordkeeping requirements before entering the Great Lakes.

2.2.3.8 Vessels in the U.S. Coast Guard Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program 

(STEP)

Owner/operators of vessels are not required to meet the requirements of Parts 2.2.3.5 (except 

Parts 2.2.3.5.1.1.5 2.2.3.5.1.1.6) and 2.2.3.6 of this permit if either:

• The vessel is accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard into the Shipboard Technology 

Evaluation Program (STEP), 

• The technology is operated in accordance with requirements of that program, and 

• The acceptance has not been withdrawn

Owner/operators of these vessels are required to meet the requirements of Parts 2.2.3.5.1.1.5 and 

2.2.3.5.1.1.6 of this permit.

2.2.4 Anti-Fouling Hull Coatings/ Hull Coating Leachate 

• All anti-fouling hull coatings subject to registration under FIFRA (see 40 CFR § 

152.15) must be registered, sold or distributed, applied, maintained, and removed 

in a manner consistent with applicable requirements on the coatings’ FIFRA label. 

• For anti-fouling hull coatings not subject to FIFRA registration (i.e., not produced 

for sale and distribution in the United States), hull coatings must not contain any 

biocides or toxic materials banned for use in the United States (including those on 

EPA’s List of Banned or Severely Restricted Pesticides). This requirement applies 

to all vessels, including those registered and painted outside the United States. 

At the time of initial application or scheduled reapplication of anti-fouling coatings, you must 

give consideration, as appropriate for vessel class and vessel operations, to the use of hull 

coatings with the lowest effective biocide release rates, rapidly biodegradable components (once 

separated from the hull surface), or non-biocidal alternatives, such as silicone coatings.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

41 

Some ports and harbors are impaired by copper, a biocide used commonly in anti-foulant paints. 

These waters include Shelter Island Yacht Basin in San Diego, California, and waters in and 

around the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach. A complete list of such waters may be found at 

www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels. When vessels spend considerable time in these waters (defined as 

spending more than 30 days per year), or use these waters as their home port (i.e., house boats, 

ferries or rescue vessels), vessel owners/operators shall consider using anti-fouling coatings that 

rely on a rapidly biodegradable biocide or another alternative rather than copper-based coatings. 

If after consideration of alternative biocides, vessel operators continue to use copper-based 

antifoulant paints, they must document in their recordkeeping documentation how this decision 

was reached.

The discharge of Tributyltin (TBT) from any source (whether used as a biocide or not) or any 

other organotin compound used as a biocide is prohibited by this permit. Therefore, vessel 

owners/operators covered by this permit have a zero discharge standard for TBT (whether or not 

used as a biocide) or any other organotin compound used as a biocide. You may not use an 

antifoulant coating containing TBT or any other organotin compound used as a biocide. If the 

vessel has previously been covered with a hull coating containing TBT (whether or not used as a 

biocide) or any other organotin compound used as a biocide, vessels must be effectively 

overcoated so that no TBT or other organotin leaches from the vessel hull or the TBT or other 

organotin coating must have been removed from the vessel’s hull. 

When used as a catalyst, an organotin compound other than TBT (e.g., dibutyltin) is not to be 

present above 2500 mg total tin per kilogram of dry paint. Furthermore, the coating shall not be 

designed to slough or otherwise peel from the vessel hull. Incidental amounts of coating 

discharged by abrasion during cleaning or after contact with other hard surfaces (e.g., moorings) 

are not prohibited. 

2.2.5 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

Discharges of AFFF are authorized for emergency purposes when needed to ensure the safety 

and security of the vessel and crew.

For vessels that sail outside of the territorial sea more than once per month, maintenance and 

training discharges of fluorinated AFFF are not authorized within waters subject to this permit 

(any such discharges should be collected and stored for onshore disposal or scheduled when the 

vessel is outside such waters). Discharge volumes associated with regulatory certification and 

inspection must be minimized and a substitute foaming agent (i.e., non-fluorinated) must be used 

if possible within waters subject to this permit.

For vessels that do not leave the territorial sea more than once per month, if vessel maintenance 

and training discharges are required, AFFF must be collected and stored for onshore disposal 

unless the vessel uses a non-fluorinated or alternative foaming agent. Training should be 

conducted as far from shore as is practicable. Maintenance and training discharges are not 

allowed in port. 

For all vessels, AFFF discharges may not occur in or within 1 nm of a water referenced in 

Appendix G unless they are discharged:
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

42 

• For emergency purposes; 

• By rescue vessels such as fireboats for firefighting purposes; or 

• By vessels owned or under contract to do business exclusively in or within 1 nm 

of those protected areas by the United States government or state or local 

governments. 

If AFFF discharges occur in waters referenced in Appendix G for emergency purposes, a written 

explanation must be kept in the ship’s log or other vessel recordkeeping documentation 

consistent with Part 4.2 of this permit.

2.2.6 Boiler/Economizer Blowdown 

You must minimize the discharge of boiler/economizer blowdown in port if chemicals or other 

additives are used to reduce impurities or prevent scale formation. For vessels greater than 400 

gross tons which leave the territorial sea at least once per week, boiler/economizer blowdown 

may not be discharged in waters subject to this permit, unless: 

• The vessel remains within waters subject to this permit for a longer period than 

the necessary duration between blowdown cycles; 

• The vessel needs to conduct blowdown immediately before entering drydock; or 

• For safety purposes. 

For all vessels, boiler/economizer blowdown may not be discharged in waters referenced in 

Appendix G except for safety purposes. Furthermore, boiler/economizer blowdown should be 

discharged as far from shore as practicable.

2.2.7 Cathodic Protection 

Cathodic protection must be maintained to prevent the corrosion of the ship’s hull. The discharge 

of zinc, magnesium, and aluminum are expected from properly functioning cathodic protection 

sacrificial electrodes. However, vessel operators must minimize the flaking of large, corroded 

portions of these anodes. Sacrificial anodes must not be used more than necessary to adequately 

prevent corrosion of the vessel’s hull, sea chest, rudder, and other exposed areas of the vessel. 

Vessel operators must appropriately clean and/or replace these anodes during periods of 

maintenance (such as drydocking), so that release of these metals to waters is minimized. 

Furthermore, when feasible, sacrificial anodes should be flush-fitted to the hull, or vessel 

operators must fill the space between the anode and hull backing to remove the potential for 

hotspots for fouling organisms. 

Vessel operators should note that magnesium is less toxic than aluminum and aluminum is less 

toxic than zinc. If vessel operators use sacrificial electrodes, they must select electrode devices 

with metals that are less toxic to the extent technologically feasible and economically practicable 

and achievable. If a vessel selects aluminum, they must document in their recordkeeping 

documentation why they made this selection, and why use of magnesium is not appropriate. 

Likewise, if a vessel selects zinc, they must document why they did not select magnesium or 

aluminum.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

43 

EPA recommends the use of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) in place of or to 

reduce the use of sacrificial electrodes when technologically feasible (e.g., adequate power 

sources, appropriate for vessel hull size and design), safe, and adequate to protect against 

corrosion, particularly for new vessels. If vessel operators use ICCP, they must maintain 

dielectric shields to prevent flaking. 

2.2.8 Chain Locker Effluent

The anchor chain must be carefully and thoroughly washed down (i.e., more than a cursory rinse) 

as it is being hauled out of the water to remove sediment and marine organisms. In addition, 

chain lockers must be cleaned thoroughly during dry-docking to eliminate accumulated 

sediments and any potential accompanying pollutants. For vessels that regularly sail outside 

waters subject to this permit (at least once per month), if technically feasible, periodically clean,

rinse, and/or pump out the space beneath the chain locker prior to entering waters subject to this 

permit (preferably mid-ocean) if the anchor has been lowered into any nearshore waters. 

Furthermore, for vessels that leave waters subject to this permit at least once per month, chain 

lockers shall not be rinsed or pumped out in waters subject to this permit, unless not emptying 

them would compromise safety. Such a safety claim must be documented in the vessel’s 

recordkeeping documentation consistent with Part 4.2. 

2.2.9 Controllable Pitch Propeller and Thruster Hydraulic Fluid and Other Oil-toSea Interfaces Including Lubrication Discharges from Paddle Wheel 

Propulsion, Stern Tubes, Thruster Bearings, Stabilizers, Rudder Bearings, 

Azimuth Thrusters, Propulsion Pod Lubrication, and Wire Rope and 

Mechanical Equipment Subject to Immersion

The protective seals on controllable pitch propellers, azimuth thrusters, propulsion pods, rudder 

bearings, or any other oil-to-sea interfaces must be maintained in good operating order to 

minimize the leaking of hydraulic oil or other oils. The vessel owner/operator must not discharge 

oil in quantities that may be harmful as defined in 40 CFR Part 110 from any oil-to-sea interface. 

If possible, maintenance activities on controllable pitch propellers, thrusters, and other oil-to-sea 

interfaces should be conducted when a vessel is in drydock. 

Minimize maintenance activities on stern tube seals when a vessel is outside of drydock. If 

maintenance or emergency repair must occur on stern tubes or other oil-to-sea interfaces which 

have a potential to release oil in quantities that may be harmful as defined in 40 CFR Part 110, 

appropriate spill response equipment (e.g., oil booms) must be used to contain any oil leakage. 

Operators of the vessel must have ready access to spill response resources to clean up any oil 

spills.

After applying lubrication to wire rope and mechanical equipment subject to immersion, wire 

ropes, and other equipment must be thoroughly wiped down to remove excess lubricant. 

All vessels constructed on or after December 19, 2013 must use an environmentally acceptable 

lubricant in all oil-to-sea interfaces. “Environmentally acceptable lubricants” means lubricants 

that are “biodegradable” and “non-toxic” and are not “bioaccumulative” as defined in Appendix 

A of this permit. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

44 

For all vessels built before December 19, 2013, unless technically infeasible, owners/operators 

must use an environmentally acceptable lubricant in all oil to sea interfaces. If a vessel is unable 

to use an environmentally acceptable lubricant, you must document in your recordkeeping 

documentation consistent with Part 4.2 why you are unable to do so, and must report the use of a 

non-environmentally acceptable lubricant to EPA in your Annual Report. Use of an 

environmentally acceptable lubricant does not authorize the discharge of any lubricant in a 

quantity that may be harmful as defined in 40 CFR Part 110. 

2.2.10 Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine

Brine from the distillation system and reverse osmosis reject water shall not contain or come in 

contact with machinery or industrial equipment (other than that necessary for the production of 

potable water), toxic or hazardous materials, or wastes. 

2.2.11 Elevator Pit Effluent

Discharges of untreated elevator pit effluent are not authorized within waters subject to this 

permit except in cases of emergency. Elevator pit effluent may be discharged into waters subject 

to this permit if it is managed with the vessel’s bilgewater and meets all the requirements of Part 

2.2.2 of this permit. Otherwise, it must be treated with an oily-water separator and discharged 

with an oil content below 15 ppm for existing vessels, as measured by EPA Method 1664 or 

other appropriate method for determination of oil content as accepted by the IMO (e.g., ISO 

Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard. Emergency discharges must be documented in the ship’s log 

or other vessel recordkeeping documentation consistent with Part 4.2. 

2.2.12 Firemain Systems

Discharges from firemain systems are authorized for emergency purposes to ensure the safety 

and security of the vessel and her crew, other emergency situations, and testing and inspections 

of the firemain systems in order to assure its operability in an emergency. Firemain systems may 

be discharged in port for certification, maintenance, and training requirements if the intake 

comes directly from the surrounding waters or potable water supplies and there are no additions 

(e.g., AFFF) to the discharge. Furthermore, firemain systems may be used for deck washdown or 

other secondary uses if the intake comes directly from the surrounding waters or potable water 

supplies and the discharge meets all relevant effluent limitation associated with that activity. 

When feasible, maintenance and training should be conducted outside port and/or outside waters 

subject to this permit. 

The vessel owner/operator shall not discharge firemain systems in waters listed in Appendix G

except in emergency situations or when washing down the anchor chain to comply with anchor 

wash down requirements in Part 2.2.8. 

2.2.13 Freshwater Layup

Minimize the amount of disinfection or biocidal agents used in freshwater layup to the minimum 

required to prevent aquatic growth. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

45 

2.2.14 Gas Turbine Washwater 

Gas turbine washwater must not be directly discharged within waters subject to this permit. 

Where feasible, gas turbine washwater must be prevented from commingling with bilgewater 

that will be discharged in waters subject to this permit, for example by collecting it separately 

and properly disposing of it at an onshore facility. Under no circumstances may oils, including 

oily mixtures, from gas turbine washwater be discharged into waters subject to this permit in 

quantities that may be harmful as determined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 110. 

2.2.15 Graywater

All vessels must minimize the discharge of graywater while in port. For those vessels that cannot 

store graywater, the owner or operator and their crews must minimize the production of 

graywater in port. Examples of ways to minimize production of graywater include delaying 

laundry, scullery activities, and restricting length of showers while in port, and using high 

efficiency faucets and showerheads. All vessels that have the capacity to store graywater shall

not discharge it in waters listed in Appendix G. For vessels that cannot store graywater, vessel 

operators must minimize the production of graywater while in waters listed in Appendix G. 

For vessels greater than 400 gross tons that regularly travel more than 1 nm from shore that have 

the capacity to store graywater for a sufficient period, graywater must be discharged greater than 

1 nm from shore while the vessel is underway, unless the vessel meets the treatment standards 

and other requirements contained under Parts 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 or 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 of this permit. 

Additional specific requirements for graywater apply to cruise ships (Parts 5.1 and 5.2) and large 

ferries (Part 5.3).

Vessels that do not travel more than 1 nm from shore shall minimize the discharge of graywater 

and, provided the vessel has available graywater storage capacity, must dispose of graywater 

onshore if appropriate facilities are available and such disposal is economically practicable and 

achievable unless the vessel meets the treatment standards and other requirements contained 

under Parts 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 or 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 of this permit. You must also minimize the 

discharge of graywater when the vessel is not underway. 

If graywater will be discharged in waters subject to this permit, the introduction of kitchen oils to 

the graywater system must be minimized. When cleaning dishes, you must remove as much food 

and oil residue as practicable before rinsing dishes. Excess oils used in cooking, including animal 

fats and vegetable oils, shall not be added to the graywater system. Under no circumstances may 

oil from the galley and scullery be discharged in quantities that may be harmful as defined in 40 

CFR Part 110. 

Vessel owners/operators must use phosphate-free and non-toxic soaps and detergents, as defined 

in Appendix A of this permit, for any purpose if graywater will be discharged into waters subject 

to this permit. Soaps and detergents must be free from toxic or bioaccumulative compounds and 

not lead to extreme shifts in receiving water pH. For purposes of this part, extreme shifts means 

causing pH to fall below 6.0 or rise above 9.0 as a direct result of the discharge. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

46 

If your vessel is underway in a nutrient-impaired water, or a water that is impaired as a result of 

nutrient enrichment (such as waters listed as impaired for phosphorus, nitrogen, or for hypoxia or 

anoxia [low dissolved oxygen concentrations]), you must follow these additional requirements: 

When the vessel has adequate graywater storage capacity, the vessel owner/operator shall not 

discharge graywater into nutrient-impaired waters subject to this permit (e.g., the Chesapeake 

Bay). A complete list of such waters can be found at www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels. Where the 

vessel does not have adequate storage capacity to eliminate such discharges, graywater 

production and discharge must be minimized in such waters. Any such discharge must be 

conducted while the vessel is underway in areas with significant circulation and depth to the 

extent feasible. Graywater stored while in such waters can later be disposed of onshore or 

discharged in accordance with the other requirements of this permit.

2.2.15.1 Additional Graywater Requirements for Certain VGP Vessels Operating in the 

Great Lakes 

Any vessel operating on the Great Lakes that is not a “commercial vessel” as defined in 

CWA section 312(a)(10) must meet one of the following requirements for graywater 

management:

(i) The vessel must hold all graywater for onshore discharge to an appropriate 

shoreside facility; or 

(ii) The graywater discharge must not exceed 200 fecal coliforms per 100 milliliters 

and contain no more than 150 milligrams per liter of suspended solids. 

Vessels subject to this part must conduct monitoring required under Part 2.2.15.2 to demonstrate 

treatment equipment maintenance and compliance with the limits of this part. Records of the 

sampling and testing results must be retained onboard for a period of 3 years in the vessel’s 

recordkeeping documentation consistent with Part 4.2 of this permit.

2.2.15.2 Graywater Monitoring

The following monitoring requirements are applicable to vessels which discharge graywater into 

waters subject to this permit and meet one of the following conditions: 

• The vessel is a new build vessel constructed on or after December 19, 2013, has a 

maximum crew capacity greater or equal to 10, and provides overnight 

accommodations to those crew; or 

• The vessel is subject to Part 2.2.15.1 of this permit.

Vessel owners/operators must conduct and analyze two samples per year, at least 14 days apart, 

and report the results of those samples as part of their Annual Report. Samples must be taken for 

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), fecal coliform, suspended solids, pH, and total residual 

chlorine. Sampling and testing shall be conducted according to 40 CFR Part 136. If the vessel is 

subject to Part 2.2.15.1, measured samples must meet the standards specified in that part.

Records of monitoring information shall include: 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

47 

• The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;

• The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements; 

• The date(s) analyses were performed;

• The individual(s) who performed the analyses; 

• The analytical techniques or methods used; and 

• The results of such analyses.

Vessels subject to this part must note whether the graywater effluent is treated or untreated, and 

also note whether the effluent is graywater alone or if it is mixed with another effluent type (e.g., 

graywater mixed with sewage). Records of the sampling and testing results must be retained 

onboard for a period of 3 years in the vessel’s recordkeeping documentation consistent with Part 

4.2. 

Vessels which do not enter waters subject to this permit for the calendar year need not conduct 

monitoring for that year, but must clearly indicate on their Annual Report that they did not enter 

waters subject to this permit during that year. 

2.2.16 Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge 

The discharge of motor gasoline and compensating effluent must not have oil in quantities that 

may be harmful as defined in 40 CFR § 110.3, which includes discharges resulting in a visible 

sheen, or an oil concentration that exceeds 15 ppm. Determination of oil concentration may be 

measured by EPA Method 1664 or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as 

accepted by the IMO (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard. Compliance with the 15 ppm 

oil concentration limitation may be established with visual monitoring for an oily sheen. 

Minimize discharge of motor gasoline and compensating discharge in port. If an oily sheen is 

observed, the vessel operator must deploy appropriate oil containment practices. Vessels shall 

not discharge motor gasoline and compensating discharge in waters subject to this permit listed 

in Appendix G. 

2.2.17 Non-Oily Machinery Wastewater

If discharged directly overboard, non-oily machinery wastewater must be free from oils (in 

quantities that may be harmful pursuant to 40 CFR Part 110) and any additives that are toxic or 

bioaccumulative in nature. Non-oily machinery wastewater may also be drained to the bilge.

2.2.18 Refrigeration and Air Condensate Discharge 

You must not allow refrigeration and air condensate discharge to come into contact with oily or 

toxic materials if it is discharged directly overboard. Refrigeration and air conditioning 

condensate that is collected and plumbed for internal recycling (e.g., recycled as “technical 

water”) is allowed to commingle with oily water; however, the commingled discharge must meet 

all requirements of Part 2.1.4 of this permit and Part 2.2.2 of this permit if applicable.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

48 

2.2.19 Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge (Including Non-Contact Engine 

Cooling Water; Hydraulic System Cooling Water, Refrigeration Cooling Water) 

When possible, non-contact engine cooling water, hydraulic system cooling water, refrigeration 

cooling water and other seawater cooling overboard discharges should occur when the vessel is 

underway to minimize any thermal impacts to the receiving water. 

To reduce the production and discharge of seawater cooling overboard discharge, EPA 

recommends that vessel owner/operators use shore-based power when the vessel is in port if: 

• Shore power is readily available for vessel owner/operators from utilities or port 

authorities;

• Shore-based power supply systems are capable of providing all needed electricity 

required for vessel operations; and 

• The vessel is equipped to connect to shore-based power and such systems are 

compatible with the available shore power. 

Maintenance of all piping and seawater cooling systems must meet the requirements of Part 

2.2.20 (Seawater-Piping Biofouling Prevention). 

2.2.20 Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention 

Seawater piping biofouling chemicals subject to FIFRA registration (see 40 CFR § 152.15) must 

be used in accordance with their FIFRA label. No pesticides or chemicals banned for use in the 

United States may be discharged into waters subject to this permit.

Vessel owner/operators must use the minimum amount of biofouling chemicals needed to keep 

fouling under control. Discharges containing active agents must contain as little chlorine as 

possible. 

Vessel owner/operators must remove fouling organisms from seawater piping on a regular basis 

and dispose of removed substances in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. 

Removed fouling organisms shall not be discharged into waters subject to this permit and EPA 

recommends that if discharged into any waters, should be discharged more than 50 nm from 

shore. Vessel owner/operators should remove any organisms while at sea to reduce the risk of 

invasive species introduction in ports. 

2.2.21 Boat Engine Wet Exhaust 

Vessel engines generating wet exhaust must be maintained in good operating order, well tuned, 

and function according to manufacturer specifications to decrease pollutant contributions to wet 

exhaust. Vessel owner/operators should use low sulfur or alternative fuels for their vessels to 

reduce the concentration of pollutants in discharges from boat engine wet exhaust. 

EPA encourages vessel operators to consider four stroke engines instead of two stroke engines 

for vessels generating wet exhaust that are covered under this permit. Use of a four stroke engine 

may minimize the discharge of pollutants to waters subject to this permit. Where vessels utilize 

two stroke engines, environmentally acceptable lubricants (as defined in Appendix A of this 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

49 

permit) must be used unless technologically infeasible. If technologically infeasible, the vessel 

owner/operator must document in their recordkeeping documentation why they are not using 

environmentally acceptable lubricants. 

2.2.22 Sonar Dome Discharge 

The water inside the sonar dome shall not be discharged into waters subject to this permit for 

maintenance purposes. Vessel operators should not use biofouling chemicals that are 

bioaccumulative for the exterior of sonar domes when non-bioaccumulative alternatives are 

available.

2.2.23 Underwater Ship Husbandry Discharges 

Vessel owners/operators must minimize the transport of attached living organisms when 

traveling into U.S. waters from outside the U.S. economic zone or between Captain of the Port 

(COTP) zones.

Whenever possible, rigorous hull-cleaning activities should take place in drydock, or at a landbased facility where the removal of fouling organisms or spent antifouling coatings paint can be 

contained. If water-pressure-based systems are used to clean the hull and remove old paint, you 

must use facilities which treat the washwater prior to discharging to waters subject to this permit 

in order to remove the antifouling compound(s) and fouling growth from the washwater. If 

mechanical means (scraping, etc.) are used to clean the hull and remove old paint, the materials 

removed from the hull during that process must be collected and disposed of properly (e.g., 

onshore). These materials must not be allowed to contaminate nearby waters. 

Vessel owners/operators who remove fouling organisms from hulls while the vessel is 

waterborne must employ methods that minimize the discharge of fouling organisms and 

antifouling hull coatings. These shall include: 

• Use of appropriate cleaning brush or sponge rigidity to minimize removal of 

antifouling coatings and biocide releases into the water column; 

• Limiting use of hard brushes and surfaces to the removal of hard growth; and 

• When available and feasible, use of vacuum or other control technologies to 

minimize the release or dispersion of antifouling hull coatings and fouling 

organisms into the water column. 

Vessel owners/operators must minimize the release of copper-based antifoulant paints during 

vessel cleaning operations. Cleaning of hull surfaces coated with copper-based antifoulant paint 

must not result in any visible cloud or plume of paint in the water; if a visible cloud or plume of 

paint develops, shift to a softer brush or less abrasive cleaning technique. A plume or cloud of 

paint can be noted by the presence of discoloration or other visible indication that is 

distinguishable from hull growth or sediment removal. Production of a plume or cloud of 

sediment or hull growth is normal in some cases during vessel hull cleaning, but this plume or 

cloud must be substantially paint free (e.g., paint should not be clearly identifiable in the plume 

or cloud). When feasible, attempts must be made to minimize the release of fouling organisms 

and antifouling systems (including copper-based coatings) into surrounding waters. 
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50 

Vessels that use copper-based anti-fouling paint must not clean the hull in copper-impaired 

waters within the first 365 days after paint application unless there is a significant visible 

indication of hull fouling. EPA maintains a list of copper-impaired waters on its webpage at 

www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels. If you clean before 365 days in copper-impaired waters, you must 

document in your recordkeeping documentation why this early cleaning was necessary. 

2.2.24 Welldeck Discharges

Welldeck discharges that contain graywater from smaller vessels should not be discharged within 

waters subject to this permit except in cases of emergency. Welldeck discharges from washdown 

of gas turbine engines may not be discharged within waters subject to this permit. Welldeck 

discharges from equipment and vehicle washdowns must be free from garbage and must not 

contain oil in quantities that may be harmful as defined in 40 CFR Part 110. 

2.2.25 Graywater Mixed with Sewage from Vessels

The commingled discharge of graywater mixed with sewage from vessels must comply with the 

effluent limits for graywater discharge in Part 2.2.15 or Part 5 of this permit if applicable. 

Though not a requirement of this permit, vessel owner/operators are advised that all discharges 

commingled with sewage must meet the requirements set forth in section 312 of the CWA and its 

implementing regulations found at 40 CFR Part 140 and 33 CFR Part 159. Hence, discharges of 

graywater mixed with sewage must meet both standards to be in compliance with the CWA.

2.2.26 Exhaust Gas Scrubber Washwater Discharge 

Exhaust gas scrubber washwater discharge must not contain oil, including oily mixtures, in 

quantities that may be harmful as determined in accordance with 40 CFR Part 110. Sludge or 

residues generated in treating exhaust gas scrubber washwater discharge must not be discharged 

in waters subject to this permit and must be delivered ashore to adequate reception facilities. 

In addition, owner/operators of vessels with exhaust gas cleaning systems that result in 

washwater discharges must meet the numeric effluent limits found in Part 2.2.26.1 and the 

monitoring requirements found in Part 2.2.26.2 this permit. These limits are consistent with the 

IMO guidelines set forth in section 10 for Exhaust Gas Cleaning (EGC) Systems (resolution 

MEPC.184(59)). Among other things, these guidelines recommend the establishment of limits 

for concentrations of pollutants in the effluent. 

2.2.26.1 Exhaust Gas Scrubber Treatment Standards

2.2.26.1.1 pH 

The discharge washwater from the exhaust gas scrubber treatment system must have a pH of no 

less than 6.5 measured at the ship’s overboard discharge, with the exception that during 

maneuvering and transit, the maximum difference between inlet and outlet of 2.0 pH units is 

allowed. This difference is to be measured at the ship’s inlet and overboard discharge. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

51 

2.2.26.1.2 PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) 

The maximum continuous PAH concentration in the washwater must not be greater than 50 μg/L 

PAHphe (phenanthrene equivalence) above the inlet water PAH concentration for washwater 

flow rates normalized to 45 t/MWh. MWh refers to the maximum continuous rating (MCR) or 80 

percent of the power rating of the fuel oil combustion unit. For the purposes of this criterion, the 

PAH concentration in the washwater must be measured downstream of the water treatment 

equipment, but upstream of any washwater dilution or other reactant dosing unit, if used, prior to 

discharge. 

 The 50-μg/L limit is adjusted upward for lower washwater flow rates per MWh, and vice-versa, 

and the applicable permit limits are contained in Table 7. 

Table 7: PAH Permit Limits in Exhaust Gas Scrubber Discharge

Flow Rate

(t/MWh)

Discharge Concentration Limit

(μg/L PAHphe equivalents)

Measurement Technology

0 - 1 2,250 Ultraviolet Light

2.5 900 Ultraviolet Light

5 450 Fluorescence

11.25 200 Fluorescence

22.5 100 Fluorescence

45 50 Fluorescence

90 25 Fluorescence

2.2.26.1.3 Turbidity 

The washwater treatment system must be designed to minimize suspended particulate matter, 

including heavy metals and ash. The maximum turbidity (monitored continuously) in washwater 

must not be greater than 25 FNU (formazin nephelometric units) or 25 NTU (nephelometric 

turbidity units) or equivalent units, above the inlet water turbidity. However, during periods of 

high inlet turbidity, the precision of the measurement device and the time lapse between inlet 

measurement and outlet measurement are such that the use of a difference limit is unreliable. 

Therefore, all turbidity difference readings must be a rolling average over a 15-minute period to 

a maximum of 25 FNU or NTU. For the purposes of this criterion, the turbidity in the washwater 

must be measured downstream of the water treatment equipment but upstream of washwater 

dilution (or other reactant dosing) prior to discharge. For a maximum of one 15-minute period 

within any 12-hour period, the continuous turbidity discharge limit may be exceeded by 20 

percent.

2.2.26.1.4 Nitrates +Nitrites

The washwater treatment system must prevent the discharge of nitrates, plus nitrites beyond that 

associated with a 12 percent removal of NOx from the exhaust, or beyond 60 mg/l normalized for 

washwater discharge rate of 45 tons/MWh, whichever is greater. MWh refers to the MCR or 80 

percent of the power rating of the fuel oil combustion unit. For the purposes of this criterion, the 

nitrate concentration in the washwater must be measured downstream of the water treatment 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

52 

equipment, but upstream of any washwater dilution or other reactant dosing unit, if used, prior to 

discharge.

The 60-mg/L limit is adjusted upward for lower washwater flow rates per MWh, and vice-versa, 

and the applicable permit limits are contained in Table 8. 

Table 8: Nitrates + Nitrites Permit Limits in Exhaust Gas Scrubber Discharge

Flow Rate

(t/MWH)

Discharge Concentration Limit

(mg/L nitrate + nitrite)

0 - 1 2,700

2.5 1,080

5 640

11.25 240

22.5 120

45 60

90 30

2.2.26.2 Exhaust Gas Scrubber Analytical Monitoring Requirements

2.2.26.2.1 Continuous Monitoring 

The data recording system must comply with the guidelines in sections 7 and 8 of 

MEPC.184(59) and must continuously record pH, PAH, and turbidity. 

When the EGC system is operated in waters subject to this permit, the washwater monitoring and 

recording must be continuous. The values monitored and recorded must include pH, PAH, 

turbidity, and temperature. 

The pH electrode and pH meter must have a resolution of 0.1 pH units and temperature 

compensation. The electrode must comply with the requirements defined in BS 2586 or of 

equivalent or better performance and the meter should meet or exceed BS EN ISO 60746-

2:2003. 

The PAH monitoring equipment must be capable of monitoring PAH in water in a range of at 

least twice the discharge concentration limit given in the table above. A demonstration must be 

made that the equipment operates correctly and does not deviate more than 5 percent in 

washwater with turbidity within the working range of the application. For those applications 

discharging at lower flow rates and higher PAH concentrations, ultraviolet light monitoring 

technology or equivalent should be used due to its reliable operating range. 

The turbidity monitoring equipment must meet requirements defined in ISO 7027:1999 or 

USEPA 180.1. 

All continuous monitoring equipment must be calibrated as recommended by probe 

manufacturers or Exhaust Gas scrubber manufacturers. At a minimum, all probes must be 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

53 

calibrated at least annually. EPA expects many probe types (e.g., turbidity probes) will need to 

be calibrated on a more frequent basis. 

2.2.26.2.2 Quarterly Analytical Monitoring. 

In addition to the continuous monitoring found in Part 2.2.26.2.1 of this permit, vessel 

owner/operators must collect and analyze one sample per quarter for each of the constituents 

analyzed in Part 2.2.26.2.3 to demonstrate treatment equipment maintenance, probe accuracy, 

and compliance with this permit. Records of the sampling and testing results must be retained 

onboard for a period of 3 years in the vessel’s recordkeeping documentation consistent with Part 

4.2. 

2.2.26.2.3 Analytes for Quarterly Analytical Monitoring 

Vessels conducting monitoring as required by Part 2.2.26.2.2 must monitor for the following 

parameters, choosing either sufficiently sensitive EPA Part 136 methods or other methods if 

specifically allowed:

• Dissolved and Particulate Metals, including Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, 

Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium, Thallium, 

and Zinc (recommend using EPA Methods 200.8 or 200.9); 

• PAHs including Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene, Anthracene Benz[a]anthracene, 

Benzo[ghi]perylene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene +, 

benzo[k]fluoranthene, Chrysene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, 

Indeno[1,2,3,c,d]pyrene, Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, and Pyrene (recommend 

using EPA Methods 550.1, 610, 625, 8100, 8270c, 8310); 

• Nitrates (recommend using EPA Method 353.2); 

• pH (using Standard Methods (SM) 4500-H B); 

• Turbidity (using SM 2130 B); 

• Temperature (using SM 2550); and 

• Dissolved Oxygen (using SM 4500-O G).

2.2.26.2.4 Monitoring Reporting 

Vessel owners/operators must submit all monitoring data to EPA’s e-reporting system, unless 

exempted from electronic reporting consistent with Part 1.14 of this permit. Monitoring data 

must be submitted at least once per calendar year no later than February 28 of the following year 

on the vessel annual report. Data must be submitted on or attached to a DMR available in 

Appendix I of this permit or submitted to EPA’s e-reporting system available at 

www.epa.gov/vessels/eNOI. Data may be submitted as part of the vessel’s annual report.

2.2.27 Fish Hold Effluent 

You must minimize the discharge of fish hold water and/or ice while in port. All reasonable steps 

must be taken to prevent the discharge of excess fish hold water and ice while the vessel is 

stationary at the pier. If fish waste is contained in the fish hold effluent, the fish hold effluent 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

54 

may not be discharged while in port, unless a physical separation method is used (e.g., filters or 

removal of residuals). 

• The discharge of fish hold effluent (including dirty ice) is prohibited if you are 

unloading your catch at a land-based seafood processing facility or pier. If a 

shore-based discharge facility is otherwise available to receive your effluent, then 

discharge of fish hold effluent (including dirty ice) is prohibited if the facility 

meets the following:

– Its use is economically achievable, and

– The facility has a valid NPDES permit, or 

– That facility discharges to an NPDES-permitted sewage treatment facility. 

• The discharge of unused bait overboard is prohibited, unless you caught that bait 

in the same water body or watershed. Unused bait purchased from a bait shop or 

dealer may not be discharged overboard. 

2.3 Additional Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits 

The requirements in Part 2.3 constitute the water quality-based effluent limitations in this permit. 

These water quality-based effluent limitations supplement this permit’s effluent limitations in 

Parts 2.1, 2.2, 2.3.2 and 5 of this permit.

2.3.1 Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations 

Your discharge must be controlled as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards in the 

receiving water body or another water body impacted by your discharges. 

EPA generally expects that compliance with the other conditions in this permit, including Parts 

2.1, 2.2, and 5, will control discharges as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards. If 

at any time you become aware, or EPA determines, that your discharge causes or contributes to 

an exceedance of applicable water quality standards, you must take corrective actions as required 

in Part 3; you must also report the exceedance(s) to EPA as required in Parts 1.14 and 4.4.1. 

EPA may impose additional water quality-based limitations on a site-specific basis, or require 

you to obtain coverage under an individual permit, if information in your NOI (if applicable), 

required reports, or from other sources indicates that, after meeting the water quality-based 

limitations in this part, your discharges are not controlled as necessary to meet applicable water 

quality standards, either in the receiving water body or another water body impacted by your 

discharges. EPA or an authorized representative of EPA may inform vessel owner/operators of 

specific requirements.

2.3.2 Discharges to Water Quality Impaired Waters 

Impaired waters or “water quality limited segment[s]” are those which have been identified by a 

state or EPA pursuant to section 303(d) of the CWA as not meeting applicable state water quality 

standards. Impaired waters may include both waters with EPA-approved or EPA-established 

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), and those for which EPA has not yet approved or 

established a TMDL.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

55 

2.3.2.1 Discharges to Impaired Waters without an EPA-Approved or Established 

TMDL 

If you discharge to an impaired water without an EPA-approved or established TMDL, you are 

required to comply with the requirements in Part 2.3.1, including any additional requirements 

that EPA may impose pursuant to that part. Note that this provision also applies to situations 

where EPA determines that your discharge is not controlled as necessary to meet water quality 

standards in another water body, even if your discharge is to a receiving water that is not 

specifically identified on a section 303(d) list of impaired waters. 

2.3.2.2 Discharges to Impaired Waters with an EPA-Approved or Established TMDL 

If you discharge to an impaired water with an EPA-approved or established TMDL and EPA or 

state TMDL authorities have informed you that a Waste Load Allocation (WLA) has been 

established that applies specifically to your vessel’s discharges, to discharges from vessels in 

your vessel class or type, or to discharges from vessels in general if applicable, your discharge 

must be consistent with the assumptions and requirements of that WLA. If such a WLA exists, 

EPA will inform you if any additional limits or controls are necessary for your discharge to be 

consistent with the assumptions of any available WLA in the TMDL, or whether an individual 

permit application is necessary in accordance with Part 1.8.1. Note that this provision also 

applies to situations where EPA determines that your discharges are covered by the WLA in an 

EPA-approved or established TMDL for another water body, even if your discharge is to a 

receiving water that is not specifically identified on a section 303(d) list. 

If an applicable TMDL exists either individually or categorically for your vessel or vessel class 

(including disallowing discharges from your vessel), EPA and/or state TMDL agencies will 

inform vessel owners/operators of specific requirements. 
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56 

3. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

This corrective action Part 3 in no way impairs EPA’s or an authorized representative acting on 

EPA’s behalf to require remedies to bring a vessel owner/operator into compliance with this 

permit as soon as possible. On a case-by-case basis, EPA may take enforcement action to require 

any remedy or corrective action necessary to achieve compliance as quickly as possible, 

including more stringent time tables than those listed in this part. 

3.1 Problems Triggering the Need for Corrective Action

If any of the following problems are identified, you must take action to ensure that the problem is 

eliminated and will not be repeated:

• You violate one or more effluent limits in Part 2 or Part 5 or any other 

requirement of this permit, or an inspection or evaluation of your vessel by an 

EPA official or an official agent acting on EPA’s behalf determines that 

modifications to the control measures are necessary to meet the effluent limits;

• You become aware, or EPA determines, that your measures do not control 

discharges as stringently as necessary to meet applicable water quality standards; 

or

• You find, or EPA determines, that your pollution control measures or best 

management practices are not being properly operated and maintained, or are not 

having the intended effect in minimizing pollutant discharges. 

Problems might be identified through: the routine visual inspections or comprehensive annual 

inspections required by this permit under Part 4; any other inspection or evaluation of your 

operations by you, a government official, or anyone else; or through any other means. 

3.2 Corrective Action Assessment

Following the identification of any of the problems listed in Part 3.1, you must conduct a 

corrective action assessment into the nature, cause, and potential options for eliminating these 

problems. The assessment must include the following: 

• A description of the problem(s) discovered (e.g., the release of untreated ballast 

water not meeting the effluent limit, spilling oil in quantities that may be harmful 

as defined in 40 CFR Part 110), including the date, time, and locations on the 

vessel where it occurred, the types of impacts observed, and the name, title, and 

signature of the person who identified the problem and of the person who 

recorded the problem. 

• An explanation of the cause of the problem(s), if known. If unknown at the time 

of the assessment, provide an indication of what steps will be taken to determine 

the cause. 

• A description of the corrective actions to be taken necessary to eliminate the 

problem(s), and a schedule of activities for completing such actions within the 

timeframes established in Part 3.3. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

57 

• An indication of whether the corrective action requires the vessel to be in dry 

dock and, if so, the next planned date the vessel will be dry-docked. 

• Once the corrective action is implemented, record the date(s) and time(s) of the 

action, a description of the corrective action implemented, and the name, title, and 

signature of the person recording this information. 

You must retain the findings of your corrective action assessment in your recordkeeping 

documentation or in your ship’s log (pursuant to Part 4.2), signed and certified in accordance 

with Part 1.7 of this permit.

3.3 Deadlines for Eliminating Problem 

Corrective action with respect to many permit requirements can be accomplished immediately. 

These requirements include, but are not limited to, housekeeping and certain operation and 

maintenance requirements. In these situations, you must return to compliance immediately. 

Restoring compliance with some permit requirements may require additional time for the vessel 

owner/operator to reasonably correct the problem. The following deadlines apply for eliminating 

the problem identified in Part 3.1 depending on the type of corrective action that must be taken: 

• Corrective actions that can be accomplished with relatively simple adjustments to 

your control measures, using existing personnel and resources, and not requiring 

the vessel to be in dry dock: as soon as possible but no later than 2 weeks after the 

discovery of the problem, or, if leaving waters subject to this permit, before the 

expiration of the 2-week period or before reentering waters subject to this permit, 

whichever is later.

• Corrective actions that require new parts, require equipment or parts that are not 

onboard the vessel or readily available, or require the installation of new 

equipment, not requiring the vessel to be in dry dock: you must address the 

underlying cause of the noncompliance and return to compliance and/or complete 

necessary repairs no later than 3 months after the discovery of the problem, or, if 

leaving waters subject to this permit, before the expiration of the 3-month period 

or before reentering waters subject to this permit, whichever is later. However, if 

completing repairs within 3 months is impracticable, you must complete repairs as 

soon as possible after 3 months and document the reason why more time is 

needed as part of your corrective action assessment.

• For corrective actions that require large or comprehensive renovations, 

alterations, or repairs to the vessel that can only be achieved while the vessel is in 

dry dock: you must address the underlying cause of the noncompliance and return 

to compliance and/or complete necessary renovations or repairs prior to relaunching the vessel from dry dock or prior to reentering waters subject to this 

permit following the next dry dock, whichever is later. 

3.4 Effect of Corrective Action

 If the initial occurrence of the problem in Part 3.1 constitutes a violation of the permit, 

conducting the Part 3.2 assessment and correcting the problem according to Part 3.3 does not 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

58 

absolve you of liability for this original violation. However, failure to comply with Parts 3.2

and/or 3.3 constitutes an additional permit violation. EPA will consider the appropriateness and 

promptness of corrective action in determining enforcement responses to permit violations. 

EPA may impose additional requirements and schedules of compliance, including requirements 

to submit additional information concerning the condition(s) triggering corrective action or 

schedules and requirements more stringent than specified in this permit. Those requirements and 

schedules will supersede those of Part 3.3 if such requirements conflict. EPA may also notify 

you that an individual permit application is necessary in accordance with Part 1.8.1. 
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59 

4. INSPECTIONS, MONITORING, REPORTING, AND RECORDKEEPING

4.1 Self Inspections and Monitoring

You must conduct the following inspections of your vessel. Please see the accompanying fact 

sheet for guidance on how these requirements apply to vessels frequently outside waters subject 

to this permit. 

4.1.1 Routine Visual Inspections

Except as provided below, a routine visual inspection must be conducted at least once per week 

or per voyage, whichever is more frequent, unless the vessel meets the requirements for extended 

unmanned period inspections in Part 4.1.1.2 of this permit, or unless multiple voyages occur in a 

single day. If vessel owners/operators engage in multiple voyages per day, they need not conduct 

inspections on every voyage, but must conduct inspections at least once per day. The term 

“voyage” for purposes of the VGP is defined in Appendix A of this permit.

Routine visual inspections should be conducted on a schedule that coincides with other routine 

vessel inspections if feasible. Conduct routine visual inspections of all accessible areas addressed 

in this permit, including, but not limited to cargo holds, boiler areas, machinery storage areas, 

welldecks, and other deck areas. Ensure these areas are clear of garbage, exposed raw materials, 

oil, any visible pollutant or constituent of concern that could be discharged in any waste stream, 

that pollution prevention mechanisms are in proper working order, and pollution prevention 

procedures are in place to minimize the addition of pollutants to any waste stream. At a 

minimum, the routine visual inspection must verify to the extent feasible that requirements of 

Part 2.1 are being met and document any instances of noncompliance. Your routine visual 

inspection must also include a visual inspection of safely accessible deck and cargo areas and all 

accessible areas where chemicals, oils, dry cargo, or other materials are stored, mixed, and used, 

whether or not the areas have been used since the last inspection. A ship’s watch must include 

visual monitoring of the water around and behind the vessel for visible sheens, dust, chemicals, 

abnormal discoloration or foaming, and other indicators of pollutants or constituents of concern 

originating from the vessel. Particular attention should be paid to deck runoff, ballast water, and 

bilgewater. If you identify or are made aware that pollutants or constituents of concern are 

originating from your vessel in a manner that violates the limitations in this permit, you must 

initiate corrective actions, as described in Part 3 of this permit. Vessel owners/operators may 

conduct these inspections as part of meeting their existing (or updated) international safety 

management code (ISM) safety management system (SMS) plan obligations, provided that those 

inspections meet the minimum requirements discussed above. 

In situations where multiple voyages occur within a one-week period, you may choose to 

conduct a limited visual inspection addressing only those areas that may have been affected by 

activities related to the docking and cargo operations conducted during each voyage instead of 

conducting a full routine visual inspection per voyage (or per day, if there are multiple voyages 

in one day). If you employ such an approach, you must conduct a full visual inspection of the 

vessel at least once per week. 
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60 

4.1.1.1 Documentation of the Routine Visual Inspection 

You must document the findings of each routine visual inspection in the official ship logbook or 

as a component of other recordkeeping documentation referenced in Part 4.2. You must 

document the date and time of inspection, ship locations inspected, personnel conducting the 

inspection, location of any visual sampling and observations, note any potential problems and 

sources of contamination found, and it must be signed by the person conducting the inspection, if 

not the Master. The person conducting the inspection must be a signatory under 40 CFR § 

122.22. A signatory includes the person in charge (e.g., the Master), or his or her duly authorized 

representative. The records of routine visual inspections must be made available to EPA or its 

authorized representative upon request. Vessel operators must initiate corrective actions, as 

required under Part 3 of this permit, for any of the conditions listed in Part 3.1 that are identified 

in their inspections. 

4.1.1.2 Extended Unmanned Period (EUP) Inspections

If a vessel is unmanned for a period of 13 days or greater, a vessel owner/operator may elect to 

either continue conducting routine inspections of the vessel consistent with Part 4.1.1 of this 

permit, or he or she may conduct an Extended Unmanned Period (EUP) Inspection. The EUP 

inspection is an alternative inspection for fleeted, jacked-up, or similarly situated vessels, which 

routinely go into temporary periods of lay-up. 

Vessel owners/operators may conduct EUP inspections in lieu of routine visual inspections if 

they are up-to-date with all other inspection and reporting requirements found in Part 4 of this 

permit (including routine and annual inspections) and the vessel owner/operator must not have 

received any VGP-related notices of violation or faced any VGP-related enforcement action from 

EPA within the previous 24 months. 

The EUP inspection consists of three primary components: a pre lay-up inspection, a periodic 

external observation of the vessel and surrounding waters, and a post lay-up routine visual 

inspection. Each is explained in greater detail below.

Immediately before a vessel is placed in an EUP, the vessel operator must conduct the pre lay-up 

inspection, which will consist of: 

• A routine visual inspection consistent with Part 4.1.1 of this permit.

• Ensuring Part 2.1.1, material storage and Part 2.1.2, toxic and hazardous material 

requirements are met.

• Ensuring all oils and oily machinery are properly secured, covered, and protected. 

Any spilled or leaked oils must be cleaned up immediately. If machinery or 

equipment is leaking oil, the leaks must be stopped or appropriate containment 

must be in place to capture any leaking oil.

• Documenting whether automatic bilge water pump(s) will be engaged on the 

vessel during the EUP. 

• Documenting the amount of fuel on board. 

• Documenting the amount of ballast water on board. 

• Documenting the date the EUP began.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

61 

While a vessel is in extended lay-up, the owner/operator must examine the outside of the vessel 

and surrounding waters at least once every two weeks for any evidence of leaks, loss of cargo, or 

any other spills which might result in an unauthorized discharge. If any deficiencies are observed 

while the vessel is in EUP, the vessel owner/operator must document those deficiencies and the 

corrective actions taken to resolve those deficiencies. If a visible sheen is noted on the surface of 

the surrounding water, the source of the oil must be identified and corrective action must be 

taken immediately. Furthermore, EPA must be notified of the visible sheen in accordance with 

Part 4.4 of this permit. If these inspections are conducted as part of the routine operations of a 

fleeter or similar vessel caretaker, the vessel owner/operator does not need to keep recordkeeping 

documentation onboard the vessel if the owner/operator has electronic access to all records 

(including records of a fleeter or other caretaker kept in a central office), and those records are 

made immediately available to EPA or its authorized representative upon request. See Part 4.2.1

of this permit for electronic recordkeeping requirements.

Before a vessel reenters service, the vessel owner/operator must conduct a post lay-up routine 

visual inspection. As part of this inspection, the owner/operator must document the date the EUP 

ended, whether fluids (e.g., fuel, ballast water) are at their pre-EUP levels, and whether any spills 

or leaks of oily materials are observed. Any deficiencies noted must be corrected before the 

vessel reenters service.

4.1.2 Analytical Monitoring

Analytical monitoring requirements for specific discharge types are identified in Parts 2.2.3, 

2.2.15, and 2.2.26 of this permit, and for specific vessel types in Part 5 of this permit.

4.1.3 Comprehensive Annual Vessel Inspections

Comprehensive vessel inspections must be conducted by qualified personnel at least once every 

12 months. Qualified personnel include the Master or owner/operator of the vessel, if 

appropriately trained, or appropriately trained marine or environmental engineers or technicians 

or an appropriately trained representative of a vessel’s class society acting on behalf of the 

owner/operator. 

Comprehensive annual inspections must cover all areas of the vessel affected by the 

requirements in this permit that can be inspected without forcing a vessel into dry dock. Special 

attention should be paid to those areas most likely to result in a discharge, likely to cause or 

contribute to exceedances of water quality standards or violate effluent limits established in this 

permit. Areas that inspectors must examine include, but are not limited to: 

• Vessel hull for attached living organisms, flaking anti-foulant paint, exposed TBT 

or other organotin surfaces; 

• Ballast water tanks, as applicable;

• Bilges, pumps, and oily water separator (OWS) sensors, as applicable;

• Oil discharge monitoring system and electronic valve switching function, as 

applicable;

• Protective seals for lubrication and any hydraulic oil leaks;
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

62 

• Oil and chemical storage areas, cargo areas, and waste storage areas; and

• All visible pollution control measures to ensure that they are functioning properly. 

If any portions of the vessel are not inspectable without the vessel entering drydock, the vessel 

owner/operator must inspect these areas during their drydock inspection. For areas not accessible 

during the annual inspection, vessel owner/operators must document that these areas of the 

vessel were not accessible and inspectable in their recordkeeping documentation. 

The annual inspections must also include a review of monitoring data collected in accordance 

with Part 5 if applicable, and routine maintenance records to ensure that required maintenance is 

being performed (e.g., annual tune-ups for small boats that have wet exhaust). Vessel 

owner/operators must also consider the results of the past year’s visual and analytical monitoring 

when planning and conducting inspections. Furthermore, the inspection must verify whether all 

monitoring, training, and inspections are logged and documented according to permit 

requirements.

When a comprehensive annual vessel inspection schedule overlaps with a routine visual 

inspection required under Part 4.1.1 of this permit, the comprehensive annual vessel inspection 

may also be used to meet the requirement of conducting the routine visual inspection, provided 

that all conditions of both types of inspections described in this permit are met. 

If any inspection reveals deficiencies that would result in a violation of the effluent limits in 

Parts 2 and 5, or indicates that a control measure is not functioning as anticipated or is in need of 

repair or upgrade, you must take corrective action to resolve such deficiencies in accordance 

with Part 3. You must record all results from your annual inspection in your vessel’s 

recordkeeping documentation or logbook. 

4.1.4 Dry-Dock Inspection Reports 

Vessel owner/operators must make any dry-dock reports prepared by the class society or their 

flag administrations available to EPA or an authorized representative of EPA upon request. If 

you do not have a dry-dock report from either of these entities, you must prepare your own drydock report and it must be made available to EPA or an authorized representative of EPA upon 

request. The dry-dock report must note that: 

• The chain locker has been cleaned for both sediment and living organisms; 

• The vessel hull, propeller, rudder, thruster gratings, sea chest, and other surface 

areas of the vessel have been inspected for attached living organisms and those 

organisms have been removed or neutralized; 

• Any antifoulant hull coatings have been applied, maintained, and removed 

consistent with the FIFRA label if applicable; any exposed existing or any new 

coating does not contain biocides or toxics that are banned for use in the United 

States;

• For all cathodic protection, anodes or dialectic coatings have been cleaned and/or 

replaced to reduce flaking; and 

• All pollution control equipment is properly functioning. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

63 

4.2 Recordkeeping

Vessels covered by this permit must keep records on the vessel or accompanying tug that include 

the following information: 

1. Owner/Vessel information:

a. Name,

b. Owner and Vessel IMO Number (official number if IMO number not 

issued), 

c. Vessel type,

d. Owner or operator company name,

e. Owner or operator certifying official’s name,

f. Address of owner/operator, 

g. Gross tonnage, 

h. Call sign, and 

i. Port of Registry (Flag).

2. Voyage Log. Include the dates and ports of arrival, vessel agent(s), last port and 

country of call, and next port and country of call (when known). 

3. If you have any violation of any effluent limit, you must document the violation. 

You must also record: 

a. A description of the violation, 

b. Date of the violation, 

c. Name, title, and signature of the person who identified the violation, 

d. Name, title, and signature of the person who is recording the violation (if 

different from person who identified the violation), 

e. If a Corrective Action Assessment pursuant to Part 3.2 is needed, attach a 

copy or indicate where the corrective action assessment is stored, and 

f. If a Corrective Action Assessment was previously conducted pursuant to 

Part 3.2 (and revisions are not needed for this violation of the effluent 

limit), a reference to that previous corrective action assessment.

4. Log of findings and any deficiencies and problems identified during routine visual 

inspections and extended unmanned inspections (if applicable) conducted under 

Part 4.1.1, including a discussion of any corrective actions taken as required by 

Part 3, if applicable. Include date, inspector’s name, findings, and corrective 

actions planned or taken. If no deficiencies or problems are found during a routine 

visual inspection, the vessel owner/operator shall record that the inspection was 

completed with the inspector’s name and date. Routine visual inspections and 

extended unmanned inspections (if applicable) must be recorded as completed 

according to Part 4.1.1. 

5. Analytical results of all monitoring conducted under Part 4.1.2, including sample 

documentation, results, and laboratory quality assurance (QA) documentation. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

64 

6. Log of findings from comprehensive annual vessel inspections conducted under 

Part 4.1.3, including a discussion of any corrective actions planned or taken 

required by Part 3. Include date, inspector’s name, findings, and a description of 

the corrective actions taken.

7. Log of findings from drydock inspections conducted under Part 4.1.4 including a 

discussion of any corrective actions planned or taken required by Part 3. Include 

date, inspector’s name, findings, and a description of the corrective actions taken. 

8. Record of any specific requirements in Part 2.3 given to your vessel by EPA or its 

authorized representative and how you have met those requirements. 

9. Additional maintenance and discharge information to be recorded and kept in a 

log on the vessel: 

a. Deck maintenance. Record dates, materials used, application process, etc. 

for any significant maintenance of the deck surface(s) (e.g., more than 

routine, daily cleaning activities, such as sweeping). 

b. Bilgewater. Record dates, location, oil concentration (for MARPOL 

vessels) or visible sheen observation (non-MARPOL vessels), and 

estimated volume of bilgewater discharges. Record the same information 

for bilgewater disposed of at onshore locations. 

c. Paint application. Record dates, materials used, application process, etc. 

for any antifouling paint applied to the vessel. 

d. AFFF. Record dates, estimated volumes, and constituents of any 

discharges of AFFF.

e. Chain locker inspections. Record dates of inspections and any rinsing 

conducted within waters subject to this permit.

f. Controllable pitch propeller, stern tube, and other oil-to-sea interface 

maintenance. Record dates and locations of any maintenance of 

controllable pitch propellers that occurs while the vessel is in waters 

subject to this permit.

g. Any emergencies requiring discharges otherwise prohibited to waters 

listed in Appendix G. 

h. Gas Turbine Water Wash. Record dates and estimated volume of any 

discharge of gas turbine washwater within waters subject to this permit. If 

hauled or disposed of onshore, record log hauler and volume. 

i. Estimated volume and location of graywater discharged while in waters 

subject to this permit.

10. All other documentation required pursuant to this permit. 

11. Record of training completed as required by this permit, and where applicable, 

strategy for passenger training. For purposes of this part, if vessel 

owners/operators include their training plans as part of their ISM or similar 

environmental management plans, and they can document that they fully 

implement those plans, they will meet the recordkeeping requirements of this part.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

65 

Vessel owner/operators may keep paper or electronic records on the vessel or accompanying tug. 

All electronic recordkeeping must meet the requirements found in Part 4.2.1 of this permit.

Owners/operators of unmanned, unpowered barges need not maintain records for subparts 2 and 

10 above. However, owners/operators of unmanned, unpowered barges must provide a history of 

areas where the vessel has operated to EPA upon request.

It is not the intention of this permit to require separate records for the Coast Guard and EPA. 

Rather, vessels can harmonize their recordkeeping practices, where appropriate, so that records 

are not unnecessarily duplicative. For example, information can be logged with maintenance 

records, the ship’s log, in existing ISM/SMS plans or recordkeeping, or other additional 

recordkeeping documentation as appropriate but must be provided to EPA or its authorized 

representative if requested. Operators may choose how these records will be maintained, but 

must retain these records on the vessel for a period of 3 years. 

Certification of accurate information is required for all NOIs, NOTs, the PARI form, and any 

report (including any monitoring data) submitted to EPA, pursuant to Parts 1.7 of this permit and 

40 CFR § 122.22. The vessel owner/operator must retain copies of all reports, certifications, 

records, monitoring data, and other information required by this permit, and records of all data 

used to complete the NOI to be covered by this permit, for a period of at least 3 years from the 

date that your coverage under this permit expires or is terminated. 

The vessel master, owner/operator, or person in charge shall make available to EPA or an 

authorized representative from EPA all records kept under this part upon request. 

4.2.1 Electronic Recordkeeping

For purposes of the VGP, records may be kept electronically if the records are: 

• In a format that can be read in a similar manner as a paper record, 

• Legally dependable with no less evidentiary value than their paper equivalent, and 

• Accessible to the inspector during an inspection to the same extent as a paper 

copy stored on the vessel would be, if the records were stored in paper form. 

4.3 Additional Recordkeeping for Vessels Equipped with Ballast Tanks

For vessels equipped with ballast tanks that are bound for a port or place in the United States, 

you must meet the recordkeeping requirements of 33 CFR Part 151. 

The master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel bound for a port or place in the 

United States must keep written records that include the following information:

1. 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). 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

66 

2. 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. 

Indicate whether the vessel has a ballast water management plan and IMO 

guidelines on board, and whether the ballast water management plan is used. 

3. Information on ballast water tanks that are to be discharged into waters subject to 

this permit or to a reception facility. Include the following:

a. The origin of ballast water. This includes date(s), locations(s) (including 

latitude and longitude and port [if relevant]), volume(s), and 

temperatures(s). If a tank has been exchanged, list the loading port of the 

ballast water that was discharged during the exchange.

b. The date(s), location(s) (including latitude and longitude), 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. 

c. Specific records pertaining to treated ballast water (see Part 2.2.3.5 of the 

permit).

d. 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. 

4. Discharge of sediment. If sediment is to be discharged into a facility within the 

jurisdiction of the United States, include the location of the facility where the 

disposal will take place. 

The ballast water reporting forms must be kept on board the vessel and must be submitted to the 

National Ballast Information Clearinghouse before arriving to U.S. ports if required by the U.S. 

Coast Guard. In addition, all vessels which conduct saltwater flushing as required by Part 

2.2.3.6.3 and Part 2.2.3.6.4 of the permit, but do not report saltwater flushing to the NBIC, must 

instead keep a record of saltwater flushing to meet the requirements of this permit. 

4.4 Reporting

4.4.1 Annual Report

For each vessel, owners/operators are required to submit an Annual Report for each year that 

they have active permit coverage. For vessels which must file NOIs, this means for as long as 

they have an active NOI. For vessels which need not file an NOI, they maintain active coverage 

as long as they are operating in waters subject to this permit, provided they have signed and 

maintain a copy of the PARI form. Annual Reports must be completed each calendar year and 

submitted by February 28 of the following year (e.g., the 2014 annual report will be due by 

February 28, 2015). A separate 2013 annual report will not be required; instead, any relevant 

information from December 19, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (if applicable) must be included in 

the annual report for the 2014 calendar year. Permittees covered under the 2008 VGP must 

submit reports of all instances of noncompliance which occur before December 18, 2013 to EPA 

consistent with the terms of that permit. 

All analytical monitoring results must be submitted to EPA as part of the Annual Report.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

67 

The vessel owner/operator shall complete the Annual Report form provided in Appendix H of 

this permit and submit it to EPA using EPA’s e-reporting system. It can be completed online by 

accessing EPA’s e-reporting system (available via www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels or through EPA’s 

eNOI system (www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/eNOI). 

The vessel owner/operator shall respond to all questions accurately and completely, and provide 

the necessary information and/or data to support each response. Unless one of the exceptions in 

Part 1.14 is met, the vessel owner/operator must submit each Annual Report electronically in 

accordance with the procedures described in Part 1.14 of this permit.

If you are eligible to submit a hard copy of the Annual Report, you must send your completed 

annual report to EPA HQ (Attn: Annual Report, Mail Code 4203M, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. 

NW, Washington, DC 20460). Hard copy reports must be postmarked by February 21 of the 

following calendar year (i.e., the 2014 annual report must be postmarked by February 21, 2015). 

The Annual Report replaces the annual noncompliance report and one-time report requirements 

found in the 2008 VGP. All instances of noncompliance must be reported as part of the Annual 

Report. 

4.4.2 Combined Annual Reports for Unmanned, Unpowered Barges 

Operators of unmanned, unpowered barges may submit a single annual report (referred to as the 

Combined Annual Report) for multiple barges, provided all of the following conditions are met: 

• The answers for each barge for which the report is to be submitted are the same;

• Each barge was not required to conduct any analytical monitoring;

• The Combined Annual Report is submitted electronically; 

• There were no instances of noncompliance for any barge and no instances of 

identified deficiencies by EPA or its authorized representatives during any 

inspections during the previous 12 months; and 

• Each barge has an NOI permit number or, if not required to submit an NOI, a 

commonly used unique identifier (e.g., registration number) so EPA can identify 

the vessel.

Vessel owners/operators of unmanned, unpowered barges may submit a Combined Annual 

Report for some or most of their fleet, or submit individual Annual Reports if they prefer. 

Individual Annual Reports are required for any barges which are not eligible for the Combined 

Annual Report, as specified above. 

4.4.3 Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances or Oil 

Although not a requirement of this permit, if a discharge contains oil or a hazardous substance in 

an amount equal to or in excess of a harmful or reportable quantity established under 40 CFR 

Part 110, 40 CFR Part 117, or 40 CFR Part 302, during a 24-hour period, the National Response 

Center (NRC) must be notified (dial 800-424-8802 or 202-426-2675 in the Washington, DC 

area). Also, within 14 calendar days of knowledge of the release, the date and description of the 

release, the circumstances leading to the release, responses to be employed for such releases, and 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

68 

measures to prevent recurrences of such releases must be recorded in your recordkeeping 

documentation consistent with Part 4.2 of this permit. 

Where a discharge of hazardous substances or oil in excess of reportable or harmful quantities 

occurs, such discharge is not authorized by this permit and may also be a violation of section 311 

of the CWA, 33 USC § 1321. Note that these spills must be reported as described above. Also 

applicable are section 311 of the CWA and certain provisions of sections 301 and 402 of the 

CWA. 

4.4.4 Additional Reporting

In addition to the reporting requirements stipulated in Part 4 of this permit, you are also subject 

to the standard permit reporting provisions referenced in Part 1.13. 

Where applicable, you must submit the following information to the appropriate EPA Regional 

Office listed in Appendix B for the location in which the instance(s) of noncompliance occurred: 

• 24-hour reporting – You must report any noncompliance which may endanger 

health or the environment. Any information must be provided orally within 24 

hours from the time you become aware of the circumstances. 

• 5-day follow-up reporting to the 24-hour reporting – A written submission must 

also be provided within five days of the time you become aware of the 

circumstances.

If you report to the NRC as referenced in Part 4.4.3 of the permit, you do not need to complete 

reporting under this part. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

69 

5. VESSEL-CLASS-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

You must comply with the requirements of Part 5 of this permit, Vessel-Class-Specific 

Requirements, associated with your vessel class in addition to any applicable requirements that 

apply to all vessels specified elsewhere in this permit.

5.1 Large Cruise Ships (authorized to carry 500 people or more for hire)

The requirements in Part 5.1 apply to vessel discharges from cruise ships providing overnight 

accommodations (i.e., cruise ships with onboard sleeping facilities) to passengers and authorized 

to carry 500 people or more for hire. 

5.1.1 Additional Effluent Limits

5.1.1.1 Graywater Management

5.1.1.1.1 Graywater Discharge Location and Rate 

Pierside Limits – While pierside, appropriate onshore reception facilities for graywater must be 

used unless the vessel treats graywater with a device to meet the standards in Part 5.1.1.1.2. If 

such facilities are not reasonably available and you do not have the capacity to treat graywater to 

meet the standards in Part 5.1.1.1.2, you must hold the graywater until the vessel is underway 

and not in waters subject to this permit. Appropriate reception facilities are those authorized for 

use by the port authority or local municipality and that treat the discharge in accordance with its 

NPDES permit. 

Operational Limits – You must meet the following restriction:

• While operating within 3 nm from shore, discharges of graywater are prohibited 

unless they meet the effluent standards in Part 5.1.1.1.2. 

Limits Applicable to Operation in Nutrient Impaired Waters – If you operate in nutrient-impaired 

waters including, but not limited to, the Chesapeake Bay or the territorial sea surrounding the 

mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico, you must: 

• Not discharge any graywater in nutrient-impaired waters subject to this permit 

unless the length of voyage in that water exceeds the vessel’s holding capacity for 

graywater; and

• Minimize the discharge of any graywater into nutrient-impaired waters subject to 

this permit, which may require minimizing the production of graywater; and 

• If your vessel’s holding capacity for graywater is exceeded, treat such excess 

graywater (above the vessel holding capacity) by a device meeting the standards 

in Part 5.1.1.1.2 prior to discharge into nutrient-impaired waters subject to this 

permit; or 

• Dispose of the graywater at an onshore facility which will discharge the effluent 

under a valid NPDES permit. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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A list of nutrient impaired waters is available at www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels.

5.1.1.1.2 Graywater Treatment Standards 

The discharge of treated graywater must meet the following standards: 

1. The discharge must satisfy the minimum level of effluent quality specified in 40 

CFR § 133.102; 

2. The geometric mean of the samples from the discharge during any 30-day period 

may not exceed 20 fecal coliform/100 milliliters (ml) and not more than 10 

percent of the samples may exceed 40 fecal coliform/100 ml; and

3. Concentrations of total residual chlorine may not exceed 10.0 micrograms per 

liter (μg/l). 

5.1.1.1.3 Sculleries and Galleys 

Cruise ship owners/operators must use soaps and detergents that are phosphate-free, non-toxic, 

and biodegradable. Degreasers must be non-toxic if they will be discharged as part of any waste 

stream. 

5.1.1.1.4 Other Materials

Waste from mercury-containing products, dry cleaners or dry cleaner condensate, photo 

processing labs, medical sinks or floor drains, chemical storage areas, and print shops using 

traditional or non-soy-based inks and chlorinated solvents must be prevented from entering the 

ship’s graywater, blackwater, or bilgewater systems if water from these systems will be 

discharged into waters subject to this permit. Preventing these wastes from entering these 

systems can be accomplished by plugging all drains that flow to the graywater, blackwater, or 

bilge systems in areas where these wastes are produced and creating alternate waste receptacles 

or replumbing drains to appropriate holding tanks. 

Vessel owners/operators must not discharge any toxic materials, including products containing 

acetone, benzene, or formaldehyde into salon and day spa sinks or floor drains if those sinks or 

floor drains lead to any system which will be discharged into waters subject to this permit. This 

includes using these materials on passengers (or crew) and rinsing residuals into these sinks. 

Alternate waste receptacles or holding tanks must be used for these materials. Addition of these 

materials to any systems which will discharge into waters subject to this permit is a permit 

violation. 

5.1.1.2 Pool and Spa Discharges 

Discharges of pool or spa water to waters listed in Appendix G are not authorized under this 

permit. Discharges from pools and spas are authorized into non-Appendix G waters subject to 

this permit, provided pool and spa water to be discharged is dechlorinated and/or debrominated, 

and discharge occurs while the vessel is underway. To be considered dechlorinated, the total 

residual chlorine in the pool or spa effluent must be less than 100 μg/l if the pool or spa water is 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

71 

discharged without going through an Advanced Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS). To be 

considered debrominated, the total residual oxidant in the pool or spa effluent must be below 25 

μg/l if the pool or spa water is discharged without going through an AWTS. Pool and spa water 

may be added to the graywater treatment systems; however, any resultant discharge must meet 

all standards and requirements found in Part 5.1.1.1 and must be dechlorinated and/or 

debrominated as applicable.

5.1.2 Monitoring Requirements 

5.1.2.1 Untreated Graywater

The discharge of untreated graywater by large cruise ships is not authorized in waters subject to 

this permit. Any discharge of untreated graywater within waters subject to this permit must be 

reported to EPA as an incidence of noncompliance on the vessel’s Annual Report. 

5.1.2.2 Treated Graywater

Prior to entering waters of the United States, vessel operators must demonstrate that they have an 

effective treatment system that complies with the standards in Part 5.1.1.1.2 if they will 

discharge graywater within 3 nm of shore. 

5.1.2.2.1 Initial Monitoring

In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment system, the vessel operator must take at 

least five (5) samples from the vessel on different days over a 30-day period that are 

representative of the treated effluent to be discharged. A vessel owner/operator that submitted 

data to EPA for a vessel’s discharge from an AWTS under the 2008 VGP requirements or 

submitted such data to the U.S. Coast Guard to meet the requirements of Section 1411(b) of Title 

XIV, Pub. L. 106-554 (Dec. 31, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763) [Certain Alaska Cruise Ship Operations] 

(codified at 33 USC 1901 note) does not need to conduct initial monitoring, and may instead 

immediately commence maintenance monitoring consistent with Part 5.1.2.2.2 of this permit.

Initial monitoring must be done within the first 90 days of permit coverage, within 90 days of 

AWTS installation onboard the vessel, or before vessels discharge into waters subject to this 

permit, whichever is later. Samples must be taken for BOD, fecal coliform, suspended solids, 

pH, and total residual chlorine. Furthermore, samples must be taken for E. coli, total phosphorus 

(TP), ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN). Sampling and testing shall be 

conducted according to 40 CFR Part 136. If the measured samples meet the standards specified 

in Part 5.1.1.1.2, then the owner/operator has demonstrated the effectiveness of their treatment 

system for controlling their graywater discharge. Records of the sampling and testing results 

must be retained onboard for a period of 3 years in the vessel’s recordkeeping documentation. 

Records of monitoring information shall include: 

• The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;

• The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements;

• The date(s) analyses were performed;

• The individual(s) who performed the analyses; 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

72 

• The analytical techniques or methods used; and 

• The results of such analyses.

Analytical results for total residual chlorine below the method detection limit shall be deemed 

compliant with the effluent limits, provided the permittee uses a testing method with a detection 

limit no higher than 10.0 μg/L under ideal conditions. EPA recommends Method SM4500-CL G 

(DPD Colorimetric Method) for these purposes as it is able to reach 10 μg/L under ideal 

conditions and so meets these requirements. SM4500-Cl G is typically the method that Alaska 

Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC)/U.S. Coast Guard uses for compliance 

monitoring. 

Testing and reporting for total residual chlorine is not required if chlorine is not used as 

disinfectant in the wastewater treatment works process and no water is drained to the graywater 

system from water with onboard chlorine additions (e.g., swimming pools, spas). 

If a permittee has already received certification for continuous discharges from an AWTS by the 

U.S. Coast Guard to meet the requirements of Title XIV, Pub. L. 106-554 (Dec. 31, 2000, 114 

Stat. 2763) [Certain Alaska Cruise Ship Operations] (codified at 33 USC 1901 note), the vessel 

need not conduct initial monitoring and may commence conducting maintenance monitoring. 

5.1.2.2.2 Maintenance Monitoring 

After demonstrating the effectiveness of their system, vessel owners/operators must collect and 

analyze one sample per quarter for each of the constituents listed in Part 5.1.2.2.1 to demonstrate 

treatment equipment maintenance and compliance with this permit. Furthermore, samples must 

be taken for E. coli, total phosphorus (TP), ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 

(TKN). Records of the sampling and testing results must be retained onboard for a period of 3 

years in the vessel’s recordkeeping documentation. 

5.1.2.2.3 Monitoring Reporting 

The owner/operator must submit data showing that the graywater standards are achieved by their 

treatment system to EPA’s e-reporting system or to EPA, ATTN: VGP Cruise Ship Monitoring 

Results, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., MC 4203M, Washington, DC 20460. Initial sampling data 

must be submitted at least 7 days before entering waters subject to this permit, within 90 days of 

obtaining permit coverage, or within 90 days of AWTS installation onboard the vessel, 

whichever is later. Maintenance monitoring data must be submitted at least once per calendar 

year no later than February 28 of the following year (e.g., 2014 data must be submitted by 

February 28, 2015). Data must be submitted on DMRs available in Appendix I of this permit or 

submitted to EPA’s e-reporting system available at www.epa.gov/vessels/eNOI. Data may be 

submitted as part of the vessel’s annual report. 

5.1.2.2.4 Reserved Authority

Even if owners/operators have demonstrated their systems meet the standards in Part 5.1.1.1.2, if 

EPA, its authorized representative, or the U.S. Coast Guard sample their graywater effluent and 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

73 

find that they are not meeting these standards, the cruise ship owners/operators are liable for 

violating their effluent limits.

5.1.2.2.5 Treated Graywater Records 

The owner/operator must maintain records estimating the quantity and quality of all discharges 

of treated graywater into waters subject to this permit, including date, location and volume 

discharged, and pollutant concentrations monitored in their recordkeeping documentation. These 

records shall be maintained as part of or in combination with the vessel’s sewage and graywater 

discharge record book required under 33 CFR § 159.315. 

5.1.2.3 Treated Pool and Spa Discharges 

Vessel owners/operators must monitor chlorine or bromine concentrations (as applicable) in pool 

or spa water before every discharge event using sufficiently sensitive 40 CFR Part 136 methods 

if they will discharge these streams directly into waters subject to this permit to ensure that the 

dechlorination/debromination process is complete. If vessel owners/operators are monitoring 

bromine concentrations, they may use a field test kit which uses the colorimetric method in lieu 

of 40 CFR Part 136 methods to ensure waters have been debrominated, provided that test kit has 

a method detection limit no higher than 50 μg/l. You must record the location of the discharge, 

the estimated volume of the discharge, and the concentration of chlorine or bromine (as 

applicable). Records of this monitoring must be kept with other graywater monitoring records. 

For chlorine, analytical results below the method detection limit shall be deemed compliant with 

the effluent limits, provided the permittee uses a testing method with a detection limit no higher 

than 10.0 μg/L under ideal conditions. EPA recommends Method SM4500-CL G (DPD 

Colorimetric Method) for these purposes as it is able to reach 10 μg/L under ideal conditions and 

so meets these requirements. SM4500-Cl G is typically the method that ADEC/USCG uses for 

compliance monitoring. For bromine, analytical results below the method detection limit shall be 

deemed compliant with the effluent limits, provided the permittee uses a testing method with a 

detection limit no higher than 50.0 μg/l. 

5.1.3 Educational and Training Requirements 

The crews of cruise ships play a key role in minimizing the discharge of pollutants from cruise 

ship operations and passengers. Therefore, cruise ship operators must provide the following 

educational and training requirements to ship personnel: 

• The ship’s crew members who actively take part in the management of a 

discharge or who may affect any discharge must receive training regarding 

shipboard environmental procedures and must be able to demonstrate proficiency 

in implementing these procedures; 

• Advanced training in shipboard environmental management procedures must be 

provided for those directly involved in managing specific discharge types or areas 

of the ship and these crew members must be able to demonstrate proficiency in 

implementing these procedures; and 
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74 

• Appropriate reprimand procedures must be developed for crew whose actions lead 

to violations of any effluent limit set forth in this permit or procedures established 

by the cruise ship operator to minimize the discharge of pollutants. 

Cruise ships must also educate passengers on their potential environmental impacts. The goals of 

these education efforts must include preventing trash from entering any waste stream, 

eliminating the addition of unused soaps, detergents, and pharmaceuticals to the graywater or 

blackwater systems, and minimizing production of graywater. This can be accomplished in a 

variety of ways including, but not limited to, posting signage and informational material in 

guestrooms and common areas, incorporating environmental information passenger orientation 

presentations or packages at the start of cruises, incorporating this information into additional 

lectures and seminars, or broadcasting information via loudspeakers. 

Vessel owners/operators must also meet all training-related recordkeeping requirements of Part 

4.2 of this permit. 

5.2 Medium Cruise Ships (authorized to carry 100 to 499 people for hire)

The requirements in Part 5.2 apply to vessel discharges from cruise ships providing overnight 

accommodations (i.e., cruise ships with onboard sleeping facilities) to passengers and authorized 

to carry between 100 and 499 people for hire. 

5.2.1 Additional Effluent Limits

5.2.1.1 Graywater Management

All medium cruise ships must meet all requirements of this part, including the requirements of 

Parts 5.2.1.1.1, unless they are a vessel unable to voyage more than 1 nm from shore and were 

constructed before December 19, 2008. Medium cruise ships unable to voyage 1 nm from shore 

and constructed before December 19, 2008 must meet the requirements in Parts 5.2.1.1.3, 

5.2.1.1.4, 5.2.1.1.5, 5.2.1.2, 5.2.2.1, 5.2.2.3, and 5.2.3. 

5.2.1.1.1 Graywater Discharge Location and Rate 

Pierside Limits – While pierside, appropriate onshore reception facilities for graywater must be 

used, unless the vessel treats graywater with a device to meet the standards in Part 5.2.1.1.2. If 

such facilities are not reasonably available and you do not have the capacity to treat graywater to 

meet the standards in Part 5.2.1.1.2, you must hold the graywater until the vessel is underway 

and not in waters subject to this permit. Appropriate reception facilities are those authorized for 

use by the port authority or local municipality and that treat graywater in accordance with its 

NPDES permit. 

Operational Limits – You must meet the following restrictions: while operating within 3 nm 

from shore, discharges of graywater are prohibited unless they meet the effluent standards in Part 

5.2.1.1.2. 
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Limits Applicable to Operation in Nutrient Impaired Waters – If you operate in nutrient-impaired 

waters including, but not limited to, the Chesapeake Bay or the territorial sea surrounding the 

mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico, you must: 

• Not discharge any graywater in nutrient-impaired waters subject to this permit 

unless the length of voyage in that water exceeds the vessel’s holding capacity for 

graywater; and

• Minimize the discharge of any graywater into nutrient-impaired waters subject to 

this permit, which may require minimizing the production of graywater; and 

• If your vessel’s holding capacity for graywater is exceeded, treat such excess 

graywater (above the vessel-holding capacity) by a device meeting the standards 

in Part 5.2.1.1.2 prior to discharge into nutrient-impaired waters subject to this 

permit; or 

• Dispose of the graywater properly onshore; or 

• Discharge the graywater while the cruise ship is sailing at a speed of at least 6 

knots. 

A list of nutrient-impaired waters is available at www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels.

5.2.1.1.2 Graywater Treatment Standards 

The discharge of treated graywater must meet the following standards: 

1. The discharge must satisfy the minimum level of effluent quality specified in 40 

CFR § 133.102; 

2. The geometric mean of the samples from the discharge during any 30-day period 

may not exceed 20 fecal coliform/100 milliliters (ml) and not more than 10 

percent of the samples exceed 40 fecal coliform/100 ml; and

3. Concentrations of total residual chlorine may not exceed 10.0 micrograms per 

liter (μg/l).

5.2.1.1.3 Sculleries and Galleys 

Cruise ship owners/operators must use soaps and detergents that are non-toxic, phosphate free, 

and biodegradable. Degreasers must be non-toxic if they will be discharged as part of any waste 

stream. 

5.2.1.1.4 Other Materials

Waste from mercury-containing products, dry cleaners or dry cleaner condensate, photo 

processing labs, medical sinks or floor drains, chemical storage areas, and print shops using 

traditional or non-soy based inks and chlorinated solvents must be prevented from entering the 

ship’s graywater, blackwater, or bilgewater systems if water from these systems will ever be 

discharged into waters subject to this permit. Preventing these wastes from entering these 

systems can be accomplished by plugging all drains that flow to the graywater, blackwater, or 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

76 

bilge systems in areas where these wastes are produced and creating alternate waste receptacles 

or replumbing drains to appropriate holding tanks. 

Vessel owners/operators must not discharge any toxic materials, including products containing 

acetone, benzene, or formaldehyde into salon and day spa sinks or floor drains if those sinks or 

floor drains lead to any system which will be discharged into waters subject to this permit. This 

includes using these materials on passengers (or crew) and rinsing residuals into these sinks. 

Alternate waste receptacles or holding tanks must be used for these materials. Addition of these 

materials to any systems which will discharge into waters subject to this permit is a permit 

violation. 

5.2.1.1.5 Graywater Discharge Location and Rate for Vessels Built before December 19, 2008 

While pierside, appropriate onshore reception facilities for graywater must be used if available 

and their use is economically achievable (unless the vessel treats graywater with a device to meet 

the standards in Part 5.2.1.1.2). Appropriate reception facilities are those authorized for use by 

the port authority or local municipality and that treat the discharge in accordance with its NPDES 

permit. 

If such facilities are not available and you do not have the capacity to treat graywater to meet the 

standards in Part 5.2.1.1.2, you must hold the graywater unless the vessel is underway and 

sailing at a speed of at least 6 knots in a water that is not a water listed in Appendix G. 

5.2.1.2 Pool and Spa Discharges 

Discharges of pool or spa water to waters listed in Appendix G are not authorized under this 

permit. Discharges from pools and spas are authorized into non-Appendix G waters subject to 

this permit, provided pool and spa water to be discharged is dechlorinated and/or debrominated, 

and discharge occurs while the vessel is underway. To be considered dechlorinated, the total 

residual chlorine in the pool or spa effluent must be less than 100 μg/l if the pool or spa water is 

discharged without treatment through an AWTS. To be considered debrominated, the total 

residual oxidant in the pool or spa effluent must be below 25 μg/l if the pool or spa water is 

discharged without going through an AWTS. Pool and spa water may be added to the graywater 

treatment systems; however, any resultant discharge must meet all standards and requirements 

found in Part 5.2.1.1 and must be dechlorinated and/or debrominated as applicable. 

5.2.2 Monitoring Requirements 

5.2.2.1 Untreated Graywater

The owner/operator must maintain records estimating all discharges of untreated graywater into 

waters subject to this permit, including date, location, and volume discharged in their 

recordkeeping documentation. These records can be maintained as part of the vessel’s sewage 

and graywater discharge record book required under 33 CFR § 159.315. 
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77 

5.2.2.2 Treated Graywater

Prior to entering waters of the United States, vessel operators must demonstrate that they have an 

effective treatment system that complies with the standards in Part 5.2.1.1.2 if they will 

discharge graywater within 3 nm of shore. 

5.2.2.2.1 Initial Monitoring

In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment system, the vessel operator must take at 

least five (5) samples taken from the vessel on different days over a 30-day period that are 

representative of the treated effluent to be discharged. A vessel owner/operator that submitted 

data to EPA for a vessel’s discharge from an AWTS under the 2008 VGP requirements or 

submitted such data to the U.S. Coast Guard to meet the requirements of Section 1411(b) of Title 

XIV, Pub. L. 106-554 (Dec. 31, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763) [Certain Alaska Cruise Ship Operations] 

(codified at 33 USC 1901 note) does not need to conduct initial monitoring, and may instead 

immediately commence maintenance monitoring consistent with Part 5.2.2.2.2 of this permit.

Initial monitoring must be done within the first 90 days of permit coverage, within 90 days of 

AWTS installation onboard the vessel, or before vessels discharge into waters subject to this 

permit, whichever is later. Samples must be taken for BOD, fecal coliform, suspended solids, 

pH, and total residual chlorine. Furthermore, samples must be taken for E. coli, TP, ammonia, 

nitrate/nitrite, and TKN. Sampling and testing shall be conducted according to 40 CFR Part 136. 

If the measured samples meet the standards specified in Part 5.2.1.1.2, then the owner/operator 

has demonstrated the effectiveness of their treatment system for controlling their graywater 

discharge. Records of the sampling and testing results must be retained onboard for a period of 3 

years in the vessel’s recordkeeping documentation. 

Records of monitoring information shall include: 

• The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;

• The individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements; 

• The date(s) analyses were performed;

• The individual(s) who performed the analyses; 

• The analytical techniques or methods used; and 

• The results of such analyses.

Analytical results for total residual chlorine below the method detection limit shall be deemed 

compliant with the effluent limits, provided the permittee uses a testing method with a detection 

limit no higher than 10.0 μg/L under ideal conditions. EPA recommends Method SM4500-CL G 

(DPD Colorimetric Method) for these purposes as it is able to reach 10 μg/L under ideal 

conditions and so meets these requirements. SM4500-Cl G is typically the method that 

ADEC/U.S. Coast Guard uses for compliance monitoring. 

Testing and reporting for total residual chlorine is not required if chlorine is not used as 

disinfectant in the wastewater treatment works process and no water is drained to the graywater 

system from water with onboard chlorine additions (e.g., swimming pools, spas). 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

78 

5.2.2.2.2 Maintenance Monitoring 

After demonstrating the effectiveness of their system, vessel owners/operators must collect and 

analyze one sample per quarter for each of the constituents listed in Part 5.2.2.2.1 to demonstrate 

treatment equipment maintenance and compliance with this permit. Records of the sampling and 

testing results must be retained onboard for a period of 3 years in the vessel’s recordkeeping 

documentation. 

5.2.2.2.3 Monitoring Reporting 

The owner/operator must submit data showing that the graywater standards are achieved by their 

treatment system to EPA’s e-reporting system or to EPA, ATTN: VGP Cruise Ship Monitoring 

Results, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., MC 4203M, Washington, DC 20460. Initial sampling data 

must be submitted at least 7 days before entering waters subject to this permit, within 90 days of 

obtaining permit coverage, or within 90 days of AWTS installation onboard the vessel, 

whichever is later. Maintenance monitoring data must be submitted at least once per calendar 

year no later than February 28 of the following year (e.g., 2014 data must be submitted by 

February 28, 2015). Data must be submitted on DMRs available in Appendix I of this permit or 

submitted to EPA’s e-reporting system available at www.epa.gov/vessels/eNOI, which will be 

available within two years of finalization of this permit. Data may be submitted as part of the 

vessel’s Annual Report. 

5.2.2.2.4 Reserved Authority

Even if owners/operators have demonstrated their system meets the standards in Part 5.2.1.1.2, if 

EPA, its authorized representative, or the U.S. Coast Guard sample their graywater effluent and 

find that they are not meeting these standards, the cruise ship owners/operators are liable for 

violating their effluent limits.

5.2.2.2.5 Treated Graywater Records 

The owner/operator shall maintain records estimating the quantity and quality of all discharges 

of treated graywater into waters subject to this permit, including date, location, and volume 

discharged, and pollutant concentrations monitored in their recordkeeping documentation. These 

records shall be maintained as part of or in combination with the vessel’s sewage and graywater 

discharge record book required under 33 CFR § 159.315. 

5.2.2.3 Treated Pool and Spa Discharges 

Vessel owners/operators must monitor chlorine or bromine concentrations (as applicable) in pool 

or spa water before every discharge event using sufficiently sensitive 40 CFR Part 136 methods 

if they will discharge these streams directly into waters subject to this permit to ensure that the 

dechlorination/debromination process is complete. If vessel owners/operators are monitoring 

bromine concentrations, they may use a field test kit which uses the colorimetric method in lieu 

of 40 CFR Part 136 methods to ensure waters have been debrominated, provided that test kit has 

a method detection limit no higher than 50 μg/l. You must record the location of the discharge, 

the estimated volume of the discharge, and the concentration of chlorine or bromine (as 

applicable). Records of this monitoring must be kept with other graywater monitoring records. 
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79 

For chlorine, analytical results below the method detection limit shall be deemed compliant with 

the effluent limits, provided the permittee uses a testing method with a detection limit no higher 

than 10.0 μg/L under ideal conditions. EPA recommends Method SM4500-CL G (DPD 

Colorimetric Method) for these purposes as it is able to reach 10 μg/l under ideal conditions and 

so meets these requirements. SM4500-Cl G is typically the method that ADEC/U.S. Coast Guard 

uses for compliance monitoring. For bromine, analytical results below the method detection limit 

shall be deemed compliant with the effluent limits, provided the permittee uses a testing method 

with a detection limit no higher than 50.0 μg/l.

5.2.3 Educational and Training Requirements

The crews of cruise ships play a key role in minimizing the discharge of pollutants from cruise 

ship operations and passengers. Therefore, cruise ship operators are responsible for providing the 

following educational and training requirements to ship personnel: 

• The ship’s crew members who actively take part in the management of the 

discharge or who may affect the discharge must receive training regarding 

shipboard environmental procedures and must be able to demonstrate proficiency 

in implementing these procedures; 

• Advanced training in shipboard environmental management procedures must be 

provided for those directly involved in managing specific discharge types or areas 

of the ship and these crew members must be able to demonstrate proficiency in 

implementing these procedures; and 

• Appropriate reprimand procedures must be developed for crew whose actions lead 

to violations of any effluent limit set forth in this permit or procedures established 

by the cruise ship operator to minimize the discharge of pollutants. 

Cruise ships must also educate passengers on their potential environmental impacts. The goals of 

these education efforts must include preventing trash from entering any waste stream, 

eliminating the addition of unused soaps, detergents, and pharmaceuticals to the graywater or 

blackwater systems, and minimizing production of graywater. This can be accomplished in a 

variety of ways including, but not limited to, posting signage and informational material in 

guestrooms and common areas, incorporating environmental information passenger orientation 

presentations or packages at the start of cruises, incorporating this information into additional 

lectures and seminars, or broadcasting information via loudspeakers. 

Vessel owner/operators must also meet all training-related recordkeeping requirements of Part 

4.2 of this permit. 

5.3 Large Ferries

Ferries are vessels for hire that are designed to carry passengers and/or vehicles between two 

ports, usually in inland, coastal, or near-shore waters. “Large Ferry” means a “ferry” that: a) has 

a capacity greater than or equal to 100 tons of cargo (e.g., for cars, trucks, trains, or other landbased transportation); or b) is authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry 250 or more people. 

All large ferries authorized to carry 100 or more tons of cars, trucks, trains, or other land-based 

transportation must meet the requirements in Part 5.3.1.1 (Deck Water) and Part 5.3.2 (Education 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

80 

and Training). Large ferries authorized by the Coast Guard to carry 250 or more people must 

meet the requirements of Part 5.3.1.2 (Graywater Management) and Part 5.3.2 (Education and 

Training Requirements). 

5.3.1 Additional Effluent Limits

5.3.1.1 Deck Water

Large ferries may not discharge untreated below deck water from parking areas or other storage 

areas for motor vehicles or other motorized equipment into waters subject to this permit without 

first treating the effluent with an oily water separator or other appropriate wastewater treatment 

system. Large ferry operators must use oil absorbent cloths or other appropriate spill response 

resources to clean oily spills or substances from deck surfaces. Any effluent created by washing 

the decks may not be discharged into the waters subject to this permit listed in Appendix G. 

5.3.1.2 Graywater Management

5.3.1.2.1 Graywater Discharge Location and Rate 

Pierside Limits – While pierside, appropriate onshore reception facilities for graywater must be 

used, if available and their use is economically achievable, unless the vessel treats graywater to

the limits found in Part 5.1.1.1.2 of the permit. If such facilities are not available, you must hold 

the graywater if the vessel has the holding capacity and discharge the effluent while the vessel is 

underway. Appropriate reception facilities are those authorized for use by the port authority or 

municipality and that treat the discharge in accordance with its NPDES permit. 

Operational Limits – You must also meet the following restriction: if you operate within 3 nm

from shore, discharges of graywater may only be released while the ferry is sailing at a speed of 

at least 6 knots if feasible. If not feasible, you must document why in your recordkeeping 

documentation. 

5.3.2 Educational and Training Requirements 

The crews of ferries play a key role in minimizing the discharge of pollutants from ferry 

operations and its passengers. Therefore, ferry operators are subject to the following 

requirements:

• The ship’s crew members who actively take part in the management of the 

discharge or who may affect the discharge must receive training regarding 

shipboard environmental procedures and must be able to demonstrate proficiency 

in implementing these procedures; 

• Advanced training in shipboard environmental management procedures must be 

provided for those directly involved in managing specific discharge types or areas 

of the ship and these crew must be able to demonstrate proficiency in 

implementing these procedures; and 

• Appropriate reprimand procedures must be developed for crew whose actions lead 

to violations of any effluent limit set forth in this permit or procedures established 

by the ferry operator to minimize the discharge of pollutants. 
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81 

Ferry operators must also educate passengers on their potential environmental impacts. The goals 

of these education efforts should include eliminating the discharge of trash overboard, 

minimizing the production of trash from parking areas or other storage areas, eliminating the 

addition of unused soaps, detergents, and pharmaceuticals to the graywater or blackwater 

systems, and minimizing production of graywater. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways 

including, but not limited to, posting signage and informational material in common areas, 

incorporating environmental information into orientation presentations, or broadcasting 

information via loudspeakers. 

Vessel owners/operators of large ferries must also meet all training-related recordkeeping 

requirements of Part 4.2 of this permit. 

5.4 Barges (such as Hopper Barges, Chemical Barges, Tank Barges, Fuel Barges, Crane 

Barges, Dry Bulk Cargo Barges) 

The requirements in Part 5.4 apply to vessel discharges from barges. Barges engaged in the 

transportation of oil or other petroleum products must also comply with Part 5.5 of this permit. 

5.4.1 Additional Effluent Limits

Barges must minimize the contact of below deck condensation with oily or toxic materials and 

any materials containing hydrocarbon. Whenever barges are pumping water from below deck, 

the discharge shall not contain oil in quantities that may be harmful as defined in 40 CFR Part 

110. If a visible sheen, as defined in Appendix A of this permit, is noted, vessel operators must 

initiate corrective action in accordance with Part 3 and meet recordkeeping requirements in Part 

4.2 of this permit. 

All tank barges must have spill rails and must mechanically plug their scuppers before any cargo 

operations if required by vessel class society and/or 33 CFR Parts 155 and/or 156. Additionally, 

scuppers, when available, must be mechanically plugged during fueling of ancillary equipment 

(e.g., generators and compressors) located on the deck of the barge. If scuppers are unavailable, 

other types of secondary containment should be employed. If any spills result during loading or 

unloading of cargo, or other ancillary equipment fueling operations, vessel owners/operators 

must completely clean up spills or residue before scuppers are unplugged. 

Vessel owners/operators must clean out cargo residues (i.e., broom clean) such that any 

remaining residue is minimized before washing the cargo compartment or tank and discharging 

washwater overboard. 

5.4.2 Supplemental Inspection Requirements

After every instance of pumping water from areas below decks, or immediately following 

washing down the decks, you must conduct a visual sheen test. The visual sheen test is used to 

detect free oil by observing the surface of the receiving water for the presence of an oily sheen. 

The operator should focus the inspection on the area surrounding the vessel where discharges 

from below deck or deck washings are discharges into the receiving water. A visible sheen is 

defined in Appendix A of this permit. If a visible sheen is observed, you must initiate corrective 
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82 

actions required in Part 3 of this permit and meet recordkeeping and notification (reporting) 

requirements in Part 4.2 of this permit. 

5.5 Oil Tankers, Petroleum Tankers, and Bulk Chemical Carriers

The requirements in Part 5.5 apply to vessel discharges from oil tankers, petroleum tankers, and 

bulk chemical carriers, as well as barges engaged in transportation of oil or petroleum products. 

5.5.1 Additional Authorized Discharges 

For vessels which have an inert gas system, the effluent produced from inert gas scrubbers (IGS) 

may be discharged into waters subject to this permit. 

The discharges of water from deck seals are authorized when such seals are installed as an 

integral part of an IGS system.

5.5.2 Additional Effluent Limits 

Owners/operators of oil tankers must plug scuppers during cargo loading and unloading 

operations to prevent the discharge of oil into waters subject to this permit. Any oil spilled must 

be cleaned with oil absorbent cloths or another appropriate approach. Additionally, 

owners/operators of oil tankers must comply with applicable requirements of 33 CFR § 155.310 

and 33 CFR Part 156, Subpart A. 

Vessel owners/operators must minimize the discharge of effluent produced from inert gas 

scrubbers if feasible for their vessel design.

5.5.3 Supplemental Inspection Requirements

After every instance of loading or unloading operations or immediately following washing down 

the decks, you must conduct a visual sheen test. The visual sheen test is used to detect free oil by 

observing the surface of the receiving water for the presence of an oily sheen. The 

owner/operator should focus the inspection on the area surrounding the vessel where effluent 

from loading operations or deck washings discharge into the receiving water. A visible sheen is 

defined in Appendix A of this permit. If a visible sheen is observed, you must comply with all 

requirements contained in Part 4.4 of this permit, initiate corrective actions required in Part 3 of 

this permit, and meet recordkeeping and notification (reporting) requirements in Part 4.2 of this 

permit. 

5.5.4 Educational and Training Requirements

The crews of oil tankers play a key role in minimizing the discharge of pollutants from vessel 

operations. Therefore, oil tanker operators are subject to the following requirements: 

• The ship’s crew members who actively take part in the management of the 

discharge or who may affect the discharge must receive training regarding 

shipboard environmental procedures and must be able to demonstrate proficiency 

in implementing these procedures; 
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83 

• Advanced training in shipboard environmental management procedures must be 

provided for those directly involved in managing specific discharge types or areas 

of the ship and these crew must be able to demonstrate proficiency in 

implementing these procedures; and 

• Appropriate reprimand procedures must be developed for crew actions that lead to 

violations of any effluent limit set forth in this permit or procedures established 

by the vessel operator to minimize the discharge of pollutants.

Vessel owners/operators of tankers must also meet all training-related recordkeeping 

requirements of Part 4.2 of this permit. 

5.6 Research Vessels

The requirements in Part 5.6 apply to vessel discharges from research vessels. Research vessels 

are those that are engaged in investigation or experimentation aimed at discovery and 

interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical 

application of such new or revised theories or laws. 

5.6.1 Supplemental Authorized Discharges

In addition to the discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel authorized elsewhere 

in this permit, owners/operators of research vessels are authorized to discharge tracers (dyes, 

fluorescent beads, SF6), drifters, tracking devices and the like, and expendable 

bathythermograph (XBT) probes, into waters subject to this permit, provided such discharges are 

for the sole purpose of conducting research on the aquatic environment or its natural resources in 

accordance with generally recognized scientific methods, principles, or techniques. 

5.6.2 Additional Effluent Limits

Owners/operators of research vessels must discharge only the minimal amount of materials 

referenced in Part 5.6.1 necessary to conduct research on the aquatic environment or its natural 

resources in accordance with generally recognized scientific methods, principles, or techniques. 

5.7 Emergency and Rescue Vessels (Fire Boats, Police Boats)

The requirements in Part 5.7 apply to vessel discharges from emergency and rescue boats.

5.7.1 Supplemental Authorized Discharges

In addition to the discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel authorized elsewhere 

in this permit, owners/operators of emergency and rescue vessels are authorized to discharge 

waste streams in conjunction with training, testing, and maintenance operations, provided that 

they comply with all additional requirements of the CWA (e.g., section 311) and the National 

Contingency Plan (40 CFR Part 300). This part does not relieve vessel operators of any 

additional responsibilities under the CWA and the National Contingency Plan which prohibits 

the discharge of oil for research or demonstration purposes without Administrator approval. The 

use of foaming agents for oil or chemical fire response must be implemented in accordance with 

the National Contingency Plan (40 CFR Part 300). 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

84 

5.7.2 Additional Effluent Limits 

Owners/operators are strongly encouraged to seek alternative formulations of AFFF that are less 

harmful to the aquatic environment, such as non-fluorinated foam, while maintaining their 

effectiveness in emergency operations. Furthermore, operators are encouraged to not use AFFF 

or discharge toxic substances in areas near active commercial or recreational fisheries, near 

swimmable waters, or in high traffic areas for maintenance or training purposes. Emergency 

vessel owners/operators are also encouraged to perform training, testing, and maintenance 

operations outside of port and as far from shore as possible. The use of foaming agents for oil or 

chemical fire response, and the control of their discharge from a vessel, must be implemented in 

accordance with the National Contingency Plan (40 CFR Part 300). 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

85 

6. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL STATES OR INDIAN COUNTRY LANDS

Section 401(d) of the CWA provides that any certification under the Act "shall set forth any 

effluent limitations and other limitations, and monitoring requirements" necessary to assure that 

any applicant for a federal license or permit will comply with any applicable CWA-based 

effluent limitations and other limitations, standards of performance, prohibitions, effluent 

standards, or pretreatment standards, and with any other appropriate requirements of State and 

Tribal law. Section 401(d) further provides that such additional limitations and monitoring 

requirements "shall become a condition on any Federal license or permit subject to the 

provisions of this section." Pursuant to section 401(d), EPA has attached provisions provided by 

states and tribes in their CWA section 401 certifications; those that constitute effluent or other 

limitations or monitoring requirements are enforceable conditions of this permit for that state’s 

or tribe’s waters. State CWA section 401 certification conditions or conditions provided by states 

as a result of their Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) section 307 consistency review that 

address the discharge of sewage from vessels within the meaning of CWA section 312(a)(6) or 

the design, manufacture, or installation or use of any marine sanitation device (as defined in 

CWA section 312(a)(5)), will be interpreted and applied by EPA in a manner consistent with the 

provisions of CWA sections 312(f)(1) and 502(6)(A). 

The following states or tribes included additional permit requirements in their CWA section 401 

certification:

Placeholder for conditions to be added after receipt from states and tribes 
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Appendix A – Definitions

The following definitions apply to this permit. Terms not defined in this Appendix have the 

meaning given by 40 CFR § 122.2. When a defined term appears in a definition, the defined term 

is placed in quotation marks as an aid to readers.

“Appropriate Regional Office” means the regional office listed in Appendix B of the Permit 

responsible for the waters where the vessel spends the most time or is based in a home port. 

“Aqueous Film-Forming Foam” means the firefighting foam and seawater mixture discharged 

during training, testing, or maintenance operations. [source: 40 C.F.R 1700.4]

“Atlantic or Gulf Coastwise Trade” means vessels engaged in coastwise trade along the Atlantic 

coast or Gulf of Mexico coast of the United States, or in between those coasts, operating in and 

between ports on these coasts. 

“Atlantic or Gulf Nearshore Voyages” means voyages by any vessels engaged in the Atlantic or 

Gulf Coastwise trade and vessels transiting between Atlantic ports (including those in the 

Caribbean Sea) or Gulf of Mexico ports that travel between more than one Captain of the Port 

Zone, and all other vessels that sail from foreign, Atlantic, or Gulf of Mexico ports, which do not 

sail further than 200 nm from any shore, and that discharge or will discharge ballast water into 

ports on the Atlantic or Gulf coasts. 

“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 [source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

“Ballast Water Exchange” see “Exchange.”

“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. [source: 

33 C.F.R 151.1504]

“Ballast Water Capacity” means the total volumetric capacity of any tanks, spaces, or 

compartments for carrying, loading, or discharging “ballast water,” including any multi-use 

tanks, space or compartment designed to allow carriage of “ballast water.”

“Bilgewater” means the wastewater from a variety of sources that accumulates in the lowest part 

of the vessel (the bilge). 

“Bioaccumulative” means the partition coefficients in the marine environmental are log Kow >3 

using test Methods OECD 117 and 107. 

“Biocide” means a substance or organism, including a virus or a fungus, that is introduced or 

produced to kill or eliminate organisms to prevent biofouling, to prevent the transfer of invasive 

species, or to eliminate organisms as part of the ballast water treatment process.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

87 

“Biodegradable” means, the following for purposes of the VGP: 

• Regarding cleaning products and environmentally acceptable lubricants, biodegradable 

means products and lubricants that demonstrate either the removal of at least 70 percent 

of dissolved organic carbon, production of at least 60 percent of the theoretical carbon 

dioxide, or consumption of at least 60 percent of the theoretical oxygen demand within 

28 days. Acceptable test methods include: Organization for Economic Co-operation and 

Development Test Guidelines 301 A-F, 306, and 310, and International Organization for 

Standardization 14593:1999. 

• Regarding biocidal substances, biodegradable means a compound or mixture that yields 

60 percent of theoretical maximum carbon dioxide and demonstrate a removal of at least 

70 percent of dissolved organic carbon within 28 days as described in EPA 712-C-98-075 

(OPPTS 835.3100 Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation). 

“Boat Engine Wet Exhaust” means the seawater that is mixed and discharged with small boat 

propulsion engine exhaust to cool the exhaust and quiet the engine. [source: 40 C.F.R 1700.4]

“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. [source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

“Chain Locker Effluent” means the accumulated precipitation and seawater that is emptied from 

the compartment used to store the vessel's anchor chain. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Coastal Exchange Zone” means an area greater than 50 nm from shore and greater than 200 

meters in depth. 

“Commercial fishing vessel” means any vessel which is documented under the laws of the 

United States or, if under five net tons, registered under the laws of any state, and used for 

commercial fishing or activities directly related to commercial fishing. (source: modified from 50 CFR 

§ 296.2)

“Commercial vessel” means any “vessel” other than a “recreational vessel” or a vessel of the 

U.S. armed forces. 

“Constructed’ means a state of construction of a vessel at which— 

• “the keel is laid;

• “construction identifiable with the specific vessel begins;

• “ assembly of the vessel has begun comprising at least 50 tons or 1 percent of the 

estimated mass of all structural material of the vessel, whichever is less; or 

• “ the vessel undergoes a major conversion;” [patterned after the International 

Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, , 

regulation A-1(4)]

"Control measure" means any BMP or other method (including effluent limitations) used to 

prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

88 

“Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid” means the hydraulic fluid that discharges into the 

surrounding seawater from propeller seals as part of normal operation, and the hydraulic fluid 

released during routine maintenance of the propellers. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Cruise ship” means a passenger ship used commercially for pleasure cruises that provides 

overnight accommodations to passengers. 

“Darkness” means sunset to sunrise.

“Deck” means a horizontal surface or part thereof serving as a floor or structural support over the 

upper section of the hull and which is exposed to weather and sea such as freeboard and 

superstructure decks from which runoff may originate. 

“Deck Runoff” means the precipitation, washdowns, and seawater falling on the weather deck of 

a vessel and discharged overboard through deck openings. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Delivered” means the date of the owner’s/operator’s formal acceptance of the ship from the 

builder or another seller or the point in time when custody or ownership of the vessel officially 

transfers from the shipbuilder or other seller to the owner/operator. 

“Discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel” means those discharges that were 

excluded from the NPDES permitting program by operation of 40 CFR § 122.3(a) as in effect on 

September 29, 2008. 

“Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine” means the concentrated seawater (brine) produced as a 

by-product of the processes used to generate freshwater from seawater. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Elevator Pit Effluent” means the liquid that accumulates in, and is discharged from, the sumps 

of elevator wells on vessels. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Environmentally acceptable lubricants” means lubricants that are “biodegradable” and “non-toxic,” 

and are not “bioaccumulative” as defined in this permit. Products meeting the permit’s definitions of 

being an “environmentally acceptable lubricant” include those labeled by the following labeling 

programs: Blue Angel, European Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, the Swedish Standard SS 155470. 

“Exchange” means to replace the water in a ballast tank using one of the following methods: 

• “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 water 

from the “mid-ocean” or “coastal exchange zone” (as applicable); 

masters/operators should pump out as close to 100 percent of the “ballast water” 

as is safe to do so. . [modified from: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

• “Flow through exchange” means to flush out “ballast water” by pumping in water 

from the “mid-ocean” or “coastal exchange zone” (as applicable) into 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. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

89 

“Exclusive Economic Zone” (EEZ) means the area established by Presidential Proclamation 

Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983 (48 FR 10605) which extends from the base line of the 

territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 miles, and the equivalent zone of Canada. [source: 

33 CFR § 151.2025]

“Ferry” means a vessel having provisions for deck passengers and/or vehicles operating between

two points over the most direct water route, operating on a frequent schedule, and offering a 

public service of a type normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel. [modified from: 46 CFR § 70.10-1]

“Firemain Systems” means the seawater pumped through the firemain system for firemain 

testing, maintenance, and training, and to supply water for the operation of certain vessel 

systems. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Fouling organisms” means any aquatic flora and/or fauna which attach to, associate with, and/or 

grow on or in the vessel. 

“Freshwater Layup” means the potable water or freshwater taken from surrounding waters that is 

discharged from the water cooling system while the vessel is in port, and the cooling system is in 

lay-up mode (a standby mode where seawater in the system is replaced with potable water for 

corrosion protection). [modified from: 40 CFR § 1700.5(d)]

“Gas Turbine Water Wash” means the water released from washing gas turbine components. 

[source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Graywater” means galley, bath, and shower water, as well as wastewater from lavatory sinks, 

laundry, and water fountains. [modified from 40 CFR § 1700.4 but removed shop sinks]

“Gross Ton” means the size of the vessel as calculated using the formula set by the International 

Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969. GT = K * V where V = total volume in m3 

and K = a figure from 0.22 up to 0.32, depending on the ship’s size (calculated by : K = 0.2 +.02 

* log10V).

“Hazardous materials” means, for purposes of the VGP, any hazardous material as defined in 49 

CFR § 171.8. 

“Hull Coating Leachate” means the constituents that leach, dissolve, ablate, or erode from the 

paint on the hull into the surrounding seawater. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“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). [source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

“In Port” means, for the purposes of this permit, anchored, moored, or otherwise secured while 

located in waters subject to this permit which are inside the baseline of the U.S. territorial sea.

“Large cruise ship” means a passenger ship, used commercially for pleasure cruises, that 

provides overnight accommodations to passengers, and is authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard to 

carry 500 or more passengers. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

90 

“Large Ferry” means a “ferry” that: a) has a capacity greater than or equal to 100 tons of cargo 

(e.g., for cars, trucks, trains, or other land-based transportation) or b) is authorized by the U.S. 

Coast Guard to carry 250 or more people. 

“Major conversion” means a conversion of a vessel, that— 

• substantially alters the dimensions or carrying capacity of the vessel;

• changes the type of the vessel; or

• the intent of which, in the opinion of the director, is substantially to prolong its life 

[modified from 33 CFR § 151.05 with the exception language specific to MARPOL removed].

 “MARPOL 73/78” means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from 

Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto. [[source: modified from 40 CFR § 

110.1]

“MARPOL vessel” means a ship subject to Annex I of the International Convention for the 

Prevention of Pollution from Ships as implemented by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships 

and the oil pollution provisions of U.S. Coast Guard regulations in 33 CFR Part 151, Subpart A. 

“Master” means captain, person-in-charge, or other party responsible for operation of the vessel. 

“Medium Cruise Ship” means a passenger ship, used commercially for pleasure cruises, that 

provides overnight accommodations to passengers, and is authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard to 

carry 100 to 499 passengers. 

“Mid-Ocean” means waters greater than 200 nm from any shore.

“Mile” means nautical mile as used in this permit, or 6076.1 feet or 1.852 kilometers. 

“Minimize” means to reduce and/or eliminate to the extent achievable using control measures 

(including best management practices) that are technologically available and economically 

practicable and achievable in light of best marine practice.

“Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge” means the seawater taken into, and discharged 

from, motor gasoline tanks to eliminate free space where vapors could accumulate. [source: 40 

C.F.R 1700.4]

“NANPCA” means the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. 

[source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

“NBIC” means the National Ballast Water Information Clearinghouse operated by the Coast 

Guard and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center as mandated under NISA. [source: 33 

CFR § 151.2025]

“NISA” means the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, which reauthorized and amended 

NANPCA. [source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

91 

“Non-Oily machinery wastewater” means the combined wastewater from the operation of 

distilling plants, water chillers, valve packings, water piping, low- and high-pressure air 

compressors, propulsion engine jacket coolers, fire pumps, and seawater and potable water 

pumps. [modified from: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Non-toxic” means a substance must pass both OECD 201 , 202, and 203 for acute toxicity 

testing, and OECD 210 and 211 for chronic toxicity testing. If a substance is evaluated for the 

formulation and main constituents, the LC50 of hydraulic fluids must be at least 100 mg/L and 

the LC50 of greases, two-stroke oils, and all other total loss lubricants must be at least 1000 

mg/L. If a substance is evaluated for each constituent substance, rather than the complete 

formulation and main compounds, then constituents comprising less than 20 percent of hydraulic 

fluids can have an LC50 between 10-100 mg/L or a no observed effect concentration (NOEC) 

between 1-10 mg/L, constituents comprising less than 5 percent of hydraulic fluids can have an 

LC50 between 1-10 mg/L or a NOEC between 0.1-1 mg/L, and constituents comprising less than 

1 percent of hydraulic fluids can have an LC50 less than 1 mg/L or a NOEC between 0-0.1 mg/L. 

“Non-toxic soaps, cleaners, and detergents” means any substance or mixture of substances 

which has an acute aquatic toxicity value (LE50) corresponding to a concentration greater than 

10 ppm and does not produce “byproducts” with an acute aquatic toxicity value (LE50) less than 

10 ppm. 

“Noxious Liquid Substance” (“NLS”) has the same meaning given that term by 33 CFR Part 

151, Subpart A. 

“Oil” means oil of any kind or in any form, including but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, 

sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil. [modified from: 33 CFR § 

154.105]

“Oil in quantities that may be harmful” means any discharge of oil having the effects identified 

in 40 CFR 110.3, provided that this term does not include those discharges specified in 40 CFR §

110.5(a) – (c).

“Oily mixture” means a mixture, in any form, with any oil content, including, but 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. [source: 33 CFR 

§ 151.05] 

“Owner or operator” and “Owner/Operator” mean the owner or operator of any facility or 

activity subject to regulation under the NPDES program. For purposes of this permit, an 

“operator” means a party, including a charterer by demise, who: 

• has operational control over vessel activities, including the ability to modify those 

activities; or

• has day-to-day operational control of those activities that are necessary to ensure 

compliance with the permit or to direct workers to carry out activities required to 

comply with the permit. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

92 

“Pacific Coastwise Trade” means vessels engaged in coastwise trade along the Pacific Coast of 

the United States, operating in and between ports in Alaska, California, Oregon, and 

Washington. 

“Pacific Nearshore Voyages” means voyages by any vessels engaged in the Pacific Coastwise 

trade and vessels transiting between Pacific Ports that travel between more than one Captain of 

the Port Zone, and all other vessels that sail from foreign, non U.S. Pacific, Atlantic, or Gulf of 

Mexico ports, which do not sail further than 200 nm from any shore, and that discharge or will 

discharge ballast water into the territorial sea or inland waters of Alaska or of the West Coast of 

the continental United States.

“Permittee” means the owner or operator of a permitted vessel.

“Person” means an individual, association, partnership, corporation, municipality, state or federal 

agency, or an agent or employee thereof. [source – 40 CFR § 122.2]

“Phosphate Free” soaps, cleaners, and detergents means these materials which contain, by 

weight, 0.5 percent or less of phosphates or derivatives of phosphates. 

“Photographic Laboratory Drains” means the drains containing laboratory wastewater resulting 

from processing of photographic film. [adapted from: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Port” see “In Port.”

“Port or place of departure” means any port or place in which a vessel is anchored or moored. 

[source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

“Port or place of destination” means any port or place to which a vessel is bound to anchor or 

moor. [source: 33 CFR § 151.2025]

“Recreational vessel” means any “vessel” that is manufactured or operated primarily for pleasure or 

leased, rented, or chartered to another for the pleasure of that person. This term does not include a 

vessel that is subject to Coast Guard inspection and that is engaged in commercial use or carries 

paying passengers. [source: 33 U.S.C. 1362(25)] 

“Saltwater flushing” means the addition of “mid-ocean” (in the case of 2.2.3.7) or “coastal 

exchange zone” (in Part 2.2.3.8) water to empty ballast water tanks; the mixing of the added 

water with residual ballast water and sediment through the motion of the vessel; and the 

discharge of the mixed water until loss of suction, such that the resulting residual water 

remaining in the tank has either a salinity greater than or equal to 30 parts per thousand (ppt) or a 

salinity concentration equal to the ambient salinity of the location where the uptake of the added 

water took place.

“Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge” means the discharge of seawater from a dedicated 

system that provides noncontact cooling water for other vessel systems. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention” means the discharge of seawater containing additives 

used to prevent the growth and attachment of biofouling organisms in dedicated seawater cooling 

systems on selected vessels. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

93 

“Sewage” means human body wastes and the wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended 

to receive or retain body wastes that are discharged from vessels, except that with respect to 

commercial vessels on the Great Lakes, this term includes galley, bath, and shower water. 

“Sonar Dome Discharge” means the leaching of antifoulant materials into the surrounding 

seawater and the release of seawater or freshwater retained within the sonar dome. [source: 40 CFR 

§ 1700.4]

“Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oily Water Separator Effluent” means the wastewater from a variety 

of sources that accumulates in the lowest part of the vessel (the bilge), and the effluent produced 

when the wastewater is processed by an oil water separator. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“Technical Water” means water that is collected, generated or managed on board for uses other 

than potable water.

“Territorial sea” has the meaning assigned by section 502(8) of the Federal Water Pollution 

Control Act (33 USC 1362(8)). 

“Treated Bilgewater” means bilgewater treated with an oily water separator and having oil 

concentrations less than 15 ppm and that does not result in a discharge of oil in quantities that 

may be harmful, pursuant to 40 CFR Part 110. 

 “Toxic materials” means, for purposes of the VGP: any toxic pollutant identified in 40 CFR 

401.15. 

“United States” means the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 

Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. [modified from CWA section 502(3) ]

“Underwater Ship Husbandry Discharges” means the materials discharged during the inspection, 

maintenance, cleaning, and repair of hulls or hull appendages performed while the vessel is 

waterborne. [modified from: 40 CFR § 1700.4] 

“Untreated Bilgewater” means bilgewater that is not treated.

“Vessel” means every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance being used as a 

means of transportation on “waters subject to this permit.” [modified from CWA section 312(a)] 

“Vessels unable to voyage more than 1 mile from shore” means vessels operating in waters 

which do not physically allow them to voyage more than 1 nm from shore (e.g., underway on 

inland river systems) or vessels which do not possess required certifications from the U.S. Coast 

Guard to operate more than 1 nm from shore.

“Visible Sheen” means a “silvery” or “metallic” sheen, gloss, or increased reflectivity; visual 

color; iridescence, or oil slick on the surface. [Source: 58 FR 12507]. 

“Voyage” means, for the purposes of VGP Part 4.1.1 (including its routine visual inspection 

provisions), that a voyage begins when the vessel departs a dock or other location at which it has 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

94 

loaded or unloaded (in whole or in part) cargo or passengers, and ends after it has tied-up at 

another dock or location in order to again conduct such activities. For example, for a barge on 

the Mississippi River, such voyage would begin when it departs a location at which it has cargo 

loaded onto it and end when cargo is unloaded at another location. 

• For vessels such as mobile oil and gas rigs, which are in a mode of transportation 

only when relocating between drill sites, a voyage for purposes of VGP Part 4.1.1

begins when the rig departs one site and ends when it arrives at the new site to 

commence operations which are not transportation-oriented, such as drilling. 

• For vessels such as harbor tugs, which may be in semi-continuous operation for 

up to a week within the same harbor and do not carry passengers or cargo, for 

purposes of VGP Part 4.1.1 a voyage begins when the crew or master takes charge 

of the vessel and ends when that crew or master are replaced by another crew or 

master, at which point a new voyage would begin due to the arrival of the new 

crew or master. For example, if crew changes occur every seven days on a harbor 

tug, the voyage begins with crew arrival, ends on day seven with departure of that 

crew, and a new voyage begins on day seven with arrival of the new crew. 

“Waters subject to this permit” means “waters of the U.S.” as defined in as 40 CFR 122.2 and 

extends to the outer reach of the 3-mile territorial sea as defined in section 502(8) of the CWA, 

unless otherwise excluded from coverage by Part 6 of the permit. 

“Welldeck Discharges” means the water that accumulates from seawater flooding of the docking 

well (welldeck) of a vessel used to transport, load, and unload amphibious vessels, and from 

maintenance and freshwater washings of the welldeck and equipment and vessels stored in the 

welldeck. [source: 40 CFR § 1700.4]

“You” means the “owner” or “operator” of a permitted vessel. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

95 

Appendix B – EPA Regional 

Contacts

An updated EPA regional contact list 

is maintained at 

www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels

Region 1 – CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, 

and 10 Tribal Nations 

5 Post Office Square - Suite 100 

Boston, MA 02109-3912 

New England States: (888) 372-7341 

Outside New England: (617) 918-1111 

Region 2 – NJ, NY, PR, VI, and 7 

Tribal Nations 

290 Broadway, 24th Floor 

New York, NY 10007-1866 

Phone: (212) 637-3660 

Region 3 – DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV

1650 Arch St 

Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Phone: 215-814-5000 

Toll Free w/in Region 3: (800) 438-2474

Region 4 – AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, 

SC, TN, and 2 Tribes 

Atlanta Federal Center 

61 Forsyth St SW 

Atlanta, GA 30303-3104 

Phone: (404) 562-9390 

Phone: (404) 562-9900 

Toll Free: 1-800-241-1754 

Region 5 – IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI, 

and 35 Tribes 

Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building

77 W Jackson Blvd 

Chicago, IL 60604-3507 

Phone: (312) 353-2000 

Region 6 – LA, AR, OK, NM, TX, and 

65 Tribes

 1445 Ross Ave 

Dallas, TX 75202-2733 

Phone: (214) 665-6444 

Region 7 – IA, KS, MO, NE, and 9 

Tribes

901 N 5th St 

Kansas City, KS 66101 

Phone: (913) 551-7003 

Toll-Free: 1-800-223-0425 

Region 8 - CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY, 

and 27 Tribal Nations

1595 Wynkoop St 

Denver, CO 80202-1129 

Phone: (303) 312-6312 

Toll Free w/in Region 8: (800) 227-8917 

Region 9 – AZ, CA, HI, NV, and 

Pacific Islands

75 Hawthorne St 

San Francisco, CA 94105-3901 

Phone: (415) 947-8000 

Toll Free: (866) EPA-WEST

Region 10 – AK, ID, OR, WA, and 

Native Tribes

1200 6th Ave, Suite 900 

Seattle, WA 98101-1128 

Phone: (206) 553-1200 

Toll Free: (800) 424-4EPA
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

96 

Appendix C – Areas Covered

This permit is effective in Waters of the United States for any state, territory, Indian Country, or 

the District of Columbia listed as covered under Part 6 of this permit. If states or tribes determine 

to seek authorization to issue vessel permits pursuant to the CWA, areas covered by this permit 

could change.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

97 

Appendix D – Reserved

Reserved. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

98 

Appendix E – Notice of Intent (NOI)

Draft NOI Instructions

Who Must File an NOI Form

Under the provisions of the CWA, as amended (33 USC 1251 et. seq.), federal law prohibits 

discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel unless that discharge is covered under 

an NPDES Permit. To obtain authorization under this permit, operators must meet the eligibility 

requirements found in Part 1.2 of the Permit and, if required by Part 1.5.1.1 of the Permit, submit 

a complete and accurate NOI according to the requirements in Appendix E. NOIs must be signed 

in accordance with 40 CFR § 122.22. 

An owner/operator is required to submit an NOI if the vessel meets either of the following two 

criteria:

• The vessel is greater or equal to 300 gross tons, 

Or

• The vessel has the capacity to hold or discharge more than 8 cubic meters (2113 

gallons) of Ballast Water.

Owner/Operators Required to Submit NOIs

Owners/operators required to submit an NOI for their vessel must submit an NOI in accordance 

with deadlines provided in the following table. 

Table 1: NOI Submission Deadlines/Discharge Authorization Dates

Category NOI Deadline Discharge Authorization Date*

Vessels authorized to discharge 

under the 2008 Vessel General 

Permit (VGP) 

No later than December, 12, 

2013 or 7 days prior to 

discharge into waters subject to 

this permit, whichever is later

For eNOIs:

December 19, 2013 or, if not submitted before 

December 12, 2013, 7 days after complete NOI 

processed by EPA. 

For Paper NOIs: 30 days after complete NOI 

processed by EPA.

New Owner/Operator of Vessel 

– transfer of ownership and/or 

operation of a vessel whose 

discharge is previously 

authorized under this permit

By date of transfer of 

ownership and/or operation

Date of transfer or date EPA processes NOI, 

whichever is later 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

99 

Table 1: NOI Submission Deadlines/Discharge Authorization Dates

Category NOI Deadline Discharge Authorization Date*

New vessels delivered to owner 

or operator after December 19, 

2013

For vessels submitting eNOIs:

7 days prior to discharge into 

waters subject to this permit

For vessels submitting Paper 

NOIs: At least 30 days prior to 

discharge into waters subject to 

this permit

For eNOIs:

7 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

For Paper NOIs: 

30 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

Existing vessels delivered to 

owner or operator after 

December 19, 2013 that were 

not previously authorized under 

this permit

For vessels submitting eNOIs:

7 days prior to discharge into 

waters subject to this permit

For vessels submitting Paper 

NOIs: At least 30 days prior to 

discharge into waters subject to 

this permit

For eNOIs: 

7 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

For Paper NOIs: 

30 days after complete NOI processed by EPA

* Based on a review of your NOI or other information, EPA may delay the discharge authorization date for further review, or 

may deny coverage under this permit and require submission of an application for an individual NPDES permit, as detailed in 

Part 1.8 of the permit. In these instances, EPA will notify you in writing of the delay or the request for submission of an 

individual NPDES permit application. If EPA requires an individual permit for an existing vessel previously covered by this 

general permit, EPA will allow the permittee a reasonable amount of time to obtain individual permit coverage before their 

general permit coverage terminates.

Owner/Operators Not Required to Submit NOIs

An operator of a vessel is not required to submit an NOI pursuant to Part 1.5.1.2 of the permit if 

the vessel is less than 300 gross tons and does not have the capacity to hold or discharge more 

than 8 cubic meters (2113 gallons) of ballast water. Owner/operators that are not required to 

submit an NOI must sign and maintain a copy of the PARI form onboard their vessel. 

Where to File NOI Form

All NOIs must be completed and filed using the eNOI system at www.epa.gov/vessels/enoi. 

Alternatively, if you meet one of the exemptions from electronic reporting found in Part 1.14 of 

the VGP, you may send your completed NOI to the Notice Processing Center at EPA 

Headquarters, EPA Vessel Notice Processing Center, Mail Code 4203M, 1200 Pennsylvania 

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. If you have questions about whether you need to file an 

NOI or questions about completing the form, refer to www.epa.gov/vessels/enoi or contact the 

NOI center at 1-866-352-7755. Updated contact information will be maintained at 

www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels. 

Completing the Form 

Section A: Owner/Operator Information 

Provide the full legal name of the person, firm, public organization, or other entity that is the 

owner/operator of the vessel, as well as the name of the certifying official. Include the complete 

contact information for the owner/operator. The mailing address, city, state/province and 

country, as well as zip code and phone number are required. The email address is required if the 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

100 

NOI is submitted electronically. The fax number is optional. Please do not use abbreviations for 

cities, and when using abbreviations for US states, please use only the official postal 

abbreviations which may be found at www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/abbr_state.txt. Enter the 

NAICS code: a listing of NAICS codes can be found at http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/. 

Section B: Vessel Information 

Provide the vessel name, previous VGP tracking number (if applicable), registered identification 

number (if applicable), vessel International Maritime Organization (IMO) number (if applicable), 

call sign, and port of registry. You must complete all of these fields if those data are available 

(failure to submit available information is a permit violation). Provide port of registry by 

spelling out entire name of location (e.g., New Orleans, Louisiana, United States). Select the type 

of vessel by checking the appropriate box. Enter the vessel tonnage in gross tons, the length in 

feet, and the ballast water capacity in gallons or m3. Enter the year in which the vessel was built, 

as well as the date of last dry-dock and the date of the next scheduled or anticipated dry-dock. If 

the vessel is not required to have measurements in gross tons, gross registered tons may be used 

instead; however, you must indicate that the measurements are in gross registered tons. Indicate 

whether the vessel currently holds or has ever held an NPDES permit other than the VGP. 

Include the Permit number, dates of permit coverage, and discharges covered. If the vessel is 

covered under this General Permit and this NOI is being submitted for a transfer of ownership to 

continue coverage, check the appropriate box, and include the date of transfer. 

Section C: General Voyage Information 

Enter the vessel home port, or if it does not have a home port, enter the U.S. port it most 

frequently visits. Provide the name of each US port the vessel may visit during the Permit term. 

Do not use abbreviations for cities, and when using abbreviations for US states, please use only 

the official postal abbreviations which may be found at: 

www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/abbr_state.txt. This list does not need to be exhaustive, but should 

be based on ports visited in the past and should be representative of the geographic area in which 

the vessel travels. Indicate the number of overnight berths for passengers and crew separately for 

each vessel, as well as maximum passenger and crew capacity typical of normal operation of the 

vessel. Also, select the appropriate box to indicate if the vessel will travel in ocean waters 

seaward of the US exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and more than 200 nautical miles from any 

shore during the period of permit coverage. Indicate whether the vessel engages in nearshore 

voyages. 

Section D: Discharge Information 

From the list provided, select each applicable discharge type that your vessel may create. All 

discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel are included in permit coverage; you do 

not have to select each discharge type for your vessel to receive coverage for all discharges you 

may have; however, when completing the NOI, vessel owner/operators should list all discharge 

types they expect from their vessels. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether the vessel 

ever engages or has the capacity to engage in industrial operations, such as seafood processing, 

energy exploration, or mining. If the vessel will be using a ballast water treatment system, check 

the appropriate box and answer the questions related to the discharge of residual biocides. The 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

101 

requirements for vessels using a ballast water treatment system can be found in Part 2.2.3of the 

Permit. Indicate whether the vessel currently has any onboard treatment systems for any waste 

stream listed in the permit, such as an Advanced Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS) used 

for graywater, an exhaust gas washwater treatment system, or an Oily Water Separator (OWS) 

used for bilgewater. Describe the treatment system, including what waste stream it treats, the 

type and design of the system, and treatment capacity. Provide information on the frequency and 

method of ballast tank sediment disposal and whether the vessel currently has a ballast water 

management plan. Indicate whether the vessel has an anti-foulant coating applied to the hull, 

what type of coating, when it was last applied, and briefly describe the vessel hull husbandry 

practices, including frequency of hull cleaning and method usually used. Indicate if your vessel 

is required to collect samples for analytical monitoring and for which of the discharges you are 

required to sample. 

Section E: Certification 

Carefully read the certification language. For eNOIs, to indicate your acceptance of these terms, 

check the “accept” box. Checking this box acts as a virtual signature on the NOI and indicates 

the operators consent to adhere to all the applicable terms of the Permit. By completing and 

submitting the NOI, the owner/operator certifies that every applicable General permit 

requirement will be met. Include the name and title of the person completing the eNOI. The 

person completing the eNOI will have a box to check for “accept” which will act as virtual 

signature.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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NOI Form

NPDES EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

Form Washington, DC 20460 Form Approved OMB No. 

_ _ _ _ - _ Notice of Intent (NOI) for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation 2040-0004

of a Vessel under the NPDES Vessel General Permit

Submission of this completed Notice of Intent (NOI) constitutes notice that the entity in Section A intends to be authorized to 

discharge pollutants to waters of the United States, from the vessel identified in Section B, under EPA’s Vessel General Permit 

(VGP). Submission of the NOI also constitutes notice that the party identified in Section B of this form has read, understands, 

and meets the eligibility conditions of Part 1 of the VGP; agrees to comply with all applicable terms and conditions of the VGP; 

and understands that continued authorization under the VGP is contingent on maintaining eligibility for coverage. In order to be 

granted coverage, all information required on this form must be completed. Please read and make sure you comply with all 

permit requirements.

A. Vessel Owner/Operator Information

1. Name: 

2a. IRS Employer Information Number: _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (if applicable)

2b. Company IMO number ________________________(if applicable)

3. Name of Certifying Official 

4. Mailing Address: a. Street: 

b. City: c. State/Province: _ _ d. Zip code: _ 

d. Country: 

e. Phone (include country code): f. Fax (Optional): 

g. E-mail: 

5. Identify the 2, 4, or 6 digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that best represents your vessel

service for which you are seeking coverage (if applicable): _________

B. Vessel Information

1. Vessel Name: 

2. Did your vessel previously have permit coverage under the 2008 VGP? □ Yes □ No 

2a. If yes, 2008 VGP Permit Tracking Number(s): 

3a. Registered Number: (if applicable

3b. Vessel IMO number: (if applicable

4. Vessel Call Sign 

5. Flag State/Port of Registry (complete spellings of state and port city names required) 

6. Type of Vessel (select one primary vessel type, and secondary vessel type where appropriate)

□ Commercial Fishing Vessel 

□ Medium Cruise Ship (100 to 499 passengers)

□ Large Cruise Ship (500+ passengers)

□ Large Ferry (250+ passengers or more than 100 tons of 

cargo, e.g., cars, trucks, trains, or other land- based 

transportation.)

□ Barge (□ Hopper Barge, □ Tank Barge, □ Other Barge)

□ Oil or Gas Tanker

□ Research/Survey Vessel

□ Emergency and Rescue Vessel

□ Bulk Carrier

□ Container Ship

□ General Cargo Ship

□ Roll-on Roll-Off

□ Utility Vessel, including Tug boats and Offshore supply 

vessels (□ Tug, □ Offshore supply vessel, □ Other 

Utility))□ Other: 

7. Vessel Dimensions: a. Tonnage: □ gross tons or □ gross registered tons

b. Length: feet

8. Ballast Water Capacity: □ gallons or □ meters3

9. Year Vessel Built: 

10. a. Date of last dry-dock: b. Date of next scheduled/anticipated dry-dock: 

11. Does vessel currently have, or has vessel ever held, an NPDES permit, other than the VGP, for any part, discharge, or 

operation of the vessel? 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

103 

□ Yes □ No

a. If yes, please provide the following: 

Permit Number: 

Dates of coverage: 

Discharges permitted: 

b. Is this a transfer of ownership? □ Yes □ No 

If Yes, provide date of transfer: 

If yes, provide previous vessel permit tracking number(s): 

C. Vessel Voyage Information

1. Home Port/Most Frequented US Port: 

2. US Ports Vessel Anticipates Visiting During Permit Term: 

3. Number of overnight berths: a. Passengers b. Crew 

a. Maximum passenger capacity b. Crew 

4. Does vessel travel beyond the US EEZ and more than 200 nm from any shore? □ Yes □ No

5. Is the vessel engaged in Nearshore Voyages? □ Yes □ No

D. Discharge Information: 

1. Select all applicable discharges vessel may generate:

□ Deck Washdown and Runoff

□ Bilgewater/Oily Water Separator Effluent

□ Ballast Water

□ Anti-fouling hull coatings

□ Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF)

□ Boiler/Economizer Blowdown

□ Cathodic Protection

□ Chain Locker Effluent

□ Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid and other 

Oil-to-Sea Interfaces

□ Distillation or Reverse Osmosis Brine

□ Elevator Pit Effluent

□ Firemain Systems

□ Freshwater layup

□ Gas Turbine Washwater

□ Graywater

□ Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge

□ Non-Oily Machinery Wastewater

□ Refrigeration and Air Condensate Discharge

□ Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge

□ Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention

□ Small Boat Engine Wet Exhaust

□ Sonar Dome Discharge

□ Underwater Ship Husbandry

□ Welldeck Discharges

□ Graywater Mixed with Sewage

□ Exhaust Gas Scrubber Washwater Discharge 

□ Fish Hold/ Fish Hold Cleaning Effluent 

2. Does Vessel ever engage in or have capacity to engage in industrial operations? □ Yes □ No 

a. If yes, please select appropriate box:

□ Seafood processing

□ Energy Exploration

□ Mining

□ Other: 

3. Will the vessel be using an experimental ballast water treatment system which discharges residual biocides? 

□ Yes □ No

b. If yes, are residual biocide concentrations expected to be below those listed in Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.5 of the Permit? □ Yes □ No 

c. List the biocide residuals or derivatives that may be discharged by the ballast water treatment system: 

 

 

 

4. Is your vessel required to collect analytical monitoring? If so, for which of the following discharges must you conduct 

monitoring:

□ Ballast Water

□ Bilgewater

□ Exhaust Gas Scrubber Effluent

□ Graywater If yes, please check the appropriate answer: □ I use or □ I do not us a treatment system for Graywater

5. Does the vessel have onboard treatment systems for any waste stream(s) covered by this permit? 

□ Yes □ No

If yes, check all that apply and complete the following information for each treatment system: □ Ballast Water, □ Bilgewater, □ 

Exhaust Gas Scrubber Effluent, □ Graywater, □ Graywater mixed with Sewage, □ Other treatment system: _______________
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

104 

Specify Discharge stream(s) treated: 

Treatment system type/design and manufacturer: 

Treatment System Capacity: 

Normal Treatment System Flow Rate: □ gallons/day □ liters/day

Residuals (wastes) generated by this treatment system: 

How they are disposed: 

6. Ballast Water and Invasive Species Management– 

a. How often is the ballast tank cleaned and sediment disposed of? 

b. How and where do you typically dispose of ballast tank sediment? 

c. Does vessel have an existing ballast water management plan? □ Yes □ No

7. a. Type of anti-fouling hull coating on the vessel and list specific product: 

□ Copper Based □ Non-Copper Based 

b. When was anti-fouling hull coating last applied: 

c. Describe hull husbandry practices, such as frequency of hull cleaning, method used, how niches and propellers are cleaned, etc: 

 

 

d. Date of last hull cleaning: 

e. Date of next scheduled/anticipated hull cleaning: 

E. Certifier Name and Title

I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in 

accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the information contained 

therein. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering 

the information, the information contained is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I have no 

personal knowledge that the information submitted is other than true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant 

penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.

Print Name: 

Title: 

Signature: 

Email: Date: _ _ - _ _ - _ _

NOI Preparer (Complete if NOI was prepared by someone other than the certifier)

Prepared By: 

Organization: 

Phone: Ext: 

Email: 

Date: _ _ - _ _ - _ _
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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Appendix F – Notice of Termination (NOT)

NOT Instructions

Who Must File a NOT Form 

Any owner/operator who was required to submit an NOI under Part 1.5.1.1 and meets the 

conditions of Part 1.6.1.2 of the General Permit is required to submit a NOT to end coverage 

under this permit. 

If you have questions about whether you need to file a NOT or questions about completing the 

form, refer to (website will be inserted after finalization of this permit) or contact the NOI center 

at 1-866-352-7755. 

Where to File NOT Form

All NOIs must be completed and filed using the eNOI system at www.epa.gov/vessels/enoi or 

send your completed NOI to the Notice Processing Center at EPA Headquarters, EPA Vessel 

Notice Processing Center, Mail Code 4203M, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 

Washington, DC 20460. 

Completing the Form 

Section A: Owner/Operator Information 

Provide the full legal name of the person, firm, public organization, or other entity that is the 

owner/operator of the vessel, as well as the name of the certifying official. Include the complete 

contact information for the owner/operator. The mailing address, city, state, and zip code, as well 

as phone number are required. The fax number and email address are optional. Provide the date 

permit coverage began under the applicable NOI. Select the appropriate box to indicate why you 

are submitting a NOT to end permit coverage. There are three options to choose from: because 

you have sold or transferred the vessel and are no longer the owner or operator, because the 

vessel is no longer traveling in or discharging to waters subject to this permit, or because you 

have obtained individual or alternative permit coverage. If you have sold or transferred the 

vessel, please provide the date of transfer as well as the name and contact information of the new 

owner. If you have obtained an individual or alternative permit, please provide the permit 

number and date permit coverage begins in the space given. 

Section B: Vessel Information 

Provide the vessel name, registered identification number, IMO number, call sign, and port of 

registry. 

Section C: Certification 

Carefully read the certification language. To indicate your acceptance of these terms, check the 

“accept” box. Checking this box acts as a virtual signature on the NOT and indicates that you 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

106 

understand these vessel discharges will longer be authorized under the general permit, and that 

any discharge of these effluent streams without a permit is a violation of the CWA. Include the 

name and title of the person completing the NOI. The person completing the NOI will have a box 

to check for “accept” which will act as virtual signature.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

107 

NOT Form

NPDES FORM Form Approved. OMB No 2040-0004

_ _ _ _ - _ Please See Instructions Before Completing This Form

EPA Notice of Termination (NOT) of Coverage under NPDES General Permit for 

Discharges Incidental to Normal Vessel Operation

Submission of this Notice of Termination constitutes notice that the party identified in Section B of this form is no longer 

authorized to discharge any discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel under the NPDES program for the vessel 

identified in Section III of this form. All necessary information must be included on this form. Refer to the instructions at the end 

of this form.

A. Permit Information

1. NPDES Permit Tracking Number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. Reason for Termination (check one only): 

a. □ You transferred operational control to another 

operator. 

Date of transfer: 

b. □ You terminated vessel operations in waters subject to 

the General Permit. 

c. □ You obtained coverage under an individual or 

alternative NPDES permit. 

Permit Number: 

Effective Date: 

B. Vessel Owner/Operator Information

1. Name: 

2. IRS Employer Information Number: _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Name of Certifying Official: 

 

4. Mailing Address: 

a. Street: 

b. City: 

c. State: _ _ d. Zip code: _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _

e. Phone: _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ 

f. Fax (Optional): _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _ _ _

g. E-mail: 

C. Vessel Information

1. Vessel Name: 

2. Vessel ID/Registered Number 

3. Vessel Call Sign 

4. Port of Registry 

D. Certifier Name and Title: 

I certify under penalty of law that the information contained in this form is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate 

and complete. I understand that by submitting this Notice of Termination, I am no longer authorized to discharge any effluent

associated with normal vessel operation under this general permit, and that discharging pollutants related to the normal operation

of a vessel in to waters of the United States is unlawful under the CWA where the discharge is not authorized by a NPDES 

permit. I also understand that the submittal of this Notice of Termination does not release an operator from liability for any 

violations of this permit or the CWA.

Furthermore, I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or 

supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the 

information contained therein. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly 

responsible for gathering the information, the information contained is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, 

and complete. I have no personal knowledge that the information submitted is other than true, accurate, and complete. I am aware 

that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for 

knowing violations.

Print Name: 

Title: 

Signature: Date: _ _ - _ _ - _ _
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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Appendix G – Waters Federally Protected Wholly or in Part for Conservation 

Purposes

The list provided in Appendix G is a complete list of marine sanctuaries, units of the National 

Park System, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wilderness areas, and 

national wild and scenic rivers system components. EPA notes that this list is gathered from 

sources maintained by the administrative agency and the EPA only removed areas that are 

clearly terrestrial and do not contain waters suitable for permitted vessels or are unlikely to be 

impacted by permitted vessel discharges (e.g. The Washington Monument). Inclusion in this list 

does not mean the area is suitable for operation for vessels greater than 79 feet. 

You must comply with the specific effluent limits in Parts 2.2.2, 2.1.3, 2.2.6, , 2.2.15, 2.2.16 and 

5.1.1.1.1 [etc.] affecting the following federally protected waters to the extent located in waters 

subject to this permit: 

• Marine Sanctuaries designated under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 

USC 1431 et seq.) and implementing regulations found at 15 CFR Part 922 and 

50 CFR Part 404 or Marine national monuments designated under the Antiquities 

Act of 1906 (see Part G.1 for a list of such areas);

• A unit of the National Park System, including National Preserves and National 

Monuments (see Part G.2 for a list of such areas);

• A unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including Wetland Management 

Districts, Waterfowl Production Areas, National Game Preserves, Wildlife 

Management Area, and National Fish and Wildlife Refuges (see Part G.3 for a list 

of such areas);

• National Wilderness Areas (see Part G.4 for a list of such areas); and

• Any component designated under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 

(see Part G.5 for a list of such areas).

• Any waterbody designated as an Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) 

by a State or Tribe (see Part G.6 for a description of such areas) 

G.1 Marine Sanctuaries under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 USC 1431 et 

seq.) and National Marine Monuments Designated under the Antiquities Act of 1906

• Channel Islands (California) 

• Cordell Bank (California) 

• Fagatele Bay (American Samoa)(U.S.)

• Florida Keys (Florida)

• Flower Garden Banks (Texas)

• Grays Reef (Georgia)

• Gulf of the Farallones (California) 

• Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whales (Hawaii)

• Monitor (North Carolina) 

• Monterey Bay (California)

• Olympic Coast (Washington) 

• Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (Hawaii) 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

109 

• Stellwagen Bank (Massachusetts)

• Thunder Bay (Michigan) 

G.2 National Parks and Refuges: National Park Service, Department of the Interior 

Alabama

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Russell Cave National Monument

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

Alaska

Alagnak Wild River

Alaska Public Lands

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Denali National Park and Preserve

Gates Of The Arctic National Park and Preserve

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Noatak National Preserve

Sitka National historical Park

Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve

Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve

American Samoa

National Park of American Samoa

Arizona

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Grand Canyon National Park

Hohokam Pima National Monument 

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Navajo National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Parashant National Monument

Pipe Spring National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Tonto National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Arkansas

Buffalo National River

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

California

Alcatraz Island

Cabrillo National Monument

Channel Islands National Park

Devils Postpile National Monument

Fort Point National Historic Site

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

John Muir National Historic Site

Joshua Tree National Park

Lava Beds National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

Pinnacles National Monument

Point Reyes National Seashore

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National 

Historical Park

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation 

Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Yosemite National Park

Colorado

Bent's Old Fort National Historical Site

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Colorado National Monument

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Dinosaur National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Santa Fe National Historic Trail

Yucca House National Monument

Connecticut

Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley National 

Heritage Corridor

Delaware

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National 

Historic Trail

District of Columbia

Anacostia Park

Capitol Hill Parks

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National 

Historic Trail

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical 

Park

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Meridian Hill Park

National Capital Parks-East

National Mall & Memorial Parks

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Florida

Big Cypress National Preserve

Biscayne National Park

Canaveral National Seashore

Castillo De San Marcos National Monument

De Soto National Memorial

Dry Tortugas National Park
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

110 

Everglades National Park

Fort Caroline National Memorial

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve

Georgia

Augusta Canal national Heritage Area

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military 

Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Fort Frederica National Monument

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

Ocmulgee National Monument

Guam

War In The Pacific National Historical Park

Hawaii

Haleakala National Park

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Puukohola Heiau National Historical Site

Idaho

Craters Of The Moon National Monument and 

Preserve

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Minidoka Internment National Monument

Nez Perce National Historical Park

Yellowstone National Park

Illinois

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

Indiana

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Iowa

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Kansas

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Kentucky

Big South Fork National River and Recreation 

Area

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

Louisiana

Cane River National Heritage Area

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and 

Preserve

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Poverty Point National Monument

Maine

Acadia National Park

Maine Acadian Culture

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site

Maryland

Antietam National Battlefield

Assateague Island National Seashore

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National 

Historic Trail

Catoctin Mountain Park

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical 

Park

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Clara Barton National Historic Site

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic 

Shrine

Fort Washington Park

Glen Echo Park

Harmony Hall

Monocacy National Battlefield

Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm

Piscataway Park

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Thomas Stone National Historic Site

Massachusetts

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage 

Corridor

Boston National Historical Park

Boston African American National Historic Site

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Cape Cod National Seashore

Essex National Heritage Area

Lowell National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historic Site

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Michigan

Isle Royale National Park

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Minnesota

Grand Portage National Monument

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Pipestone National Monument

Voyageurs National Park

Mississippi

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Natchez National Historical Park

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Missouri

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

111 

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Montana

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Glacier National Park

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Yellowstone National Park

Nebraska

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Homestead National Monument of America

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Niobrara National Scenic River

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Nevada

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Appalachian National Scenic River

Delaware National Scenic River

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Ellis Island National Monument

Gateway National Recreation Area

Great Egg Harbor River

Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River

New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve

New Mexico

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Capulin Volcano National Monument

El Malpais National Monument

El Morro National Monument

Fort Union National Monument

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument 

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

White Sands National Monument

New York

Castle Clinton National Monument

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Ellis Island National Monument

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

Fire Island National Seashore

Fort Stanwix National Monument

Gateway National Recreation Area

Governors Island National Monument

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

Manhattan Sites

National Parks of New York Harbor

Saratoga National Historical Park

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

North Carolina

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wright Brothers National Monument

North Dakota

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Northern Mariana Islands

American Memorial Park

Ohio

Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial

Oklahoma

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

Oregon Caves National Monument

Pennsylvania

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Delaware National Scenic River 

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Johnstown Flood National Monument

Lackawanna Heritage Valley

Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Rivers Of Steel National Heritage Area

Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

Blackstone River Valley National Heritage 

Corridor

South Carolina

Congaree National Park

Fort Moultrie National Monument

Fort Sumter National Monument

South Dakota

Jewel Cave National Monument

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Missouri Recreational River

Tennessee

Big South Fork National River and Recreation 

Area

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Obed Wild and Scenic River

Texas

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Amistad National Recreation Area

Big Bend National Park

Big Thicket National Preserve

Chamizal National Memorial

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Padre Island National Seashore

Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

112 

Utah

Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Hovenweep National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Vermont

Virgin Islands

Buck Island Reef National Monument

Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

Virginia

Assateague Island National Seashore

Booker T Washington National Monument

Cape Henry Memorial

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National 

Historic Trail

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Colonial National Historical Park

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military 

Park

Great Falls Park

Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the 

Potomac

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Theodore Roosevelt Island Park

Washington

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Mount Rainier National Park

North Cascades National Park

Olympic National Park

Ross Lake National Recreation Area

San Juan Island National Historical Park

West Virginia

Bluestone National Scenic River

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network

Gauley River National Recreation Area

New River Gorge National River

Wisconsin

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Saint Croix National Scenic River

Wyoming

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Devils Tower National Monument

Fossil Butte National Monument

Grand Teton National Park

John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

Yellowstone National Park

G.3 National Wildlife Refuges (Including, but Not Limited to Wetlands 

Management Districts, Waterfowl Production Areas, National Game 

Preserves, Wildlife Management Areas, and National Fish and Wildlife 

Refuges)

As of 9/30/06, there were 547 national wildlife refuges in all 50 states. Neches River 

NWR in Texas and the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area in Montana were the 

546th and 547th national wildlife refuges. There were 37 Wetland Management Districts 

in the Prairie Pothole region of the northern Great Plains. 

The acreage for the NWRS as of 9/30/06 was 96,369,969.43 acres. The system 

encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, 37 Wetland Management Districts (which 

include Waterfowl Production Areas in 204 counties), and 50 Coordination Areas which 

are managed by the states.

Refuges that have boundaries in multiple states are listed only in the state where the main 

visitor entrance is located. Maps of each area can be found by accessing the National Fish 

and Wildlife Services website at: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/refugeLocatorMaps/

index.html. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

113 

Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge CO

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge AK

Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge AK

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge NC

Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge NY

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge TX

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge OR

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge CA

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge TX

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge CO

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge FL

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge AK

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge ND

Arrowwood Wetland Management District ND

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National 

Wildlife Refuge FL

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge NV

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge MA

Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge LA

Audubon National Wildlife Refuge ND

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge VA

Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge HI

Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge AR

Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge WY

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge OR

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge GA

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge OR

Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge LA

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge LA

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge LA

Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge ID

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge UT

Becharof National Wildlife Refuge AK

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge MT

Benton Lake Wetland Management District MT

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge LA

Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge AR

Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge MO

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge IN

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge MN

Big Stone Wetland Management District MN

Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge AZ

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge NM

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge LA

Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge GA

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge MD

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge RI

Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge LA

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge DE

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge AL

Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge GA

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge NM

Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge MT

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge NE

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge TX

Breton National Wildlife Refuge LA

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge CO

Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge VI

Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge PR

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge AR

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge AL

Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge FL

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge LA

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge WV

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge NJ

Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge OR

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge SC

Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area ME

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge SC

Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge CA

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge LA

Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge LA

Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge NC

Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge FL

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge OH

Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge MT

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge ND

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge FL

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge IL

Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge TN

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge VA

Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge AL

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge AZ

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge MO

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge KY

Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge CA

Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge WY

Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge OR

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge MS

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge WA

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge CA

Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge WA

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge IL

Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge MN

Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge NE

Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge TN

Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge ME

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge FL

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge NC

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge IL

Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge MS

D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge LA

Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge OK

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge ID

Delta National Wildlife Refuge LA

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge ND

Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge PR

Desert National Wildlife Range NV

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge IA

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District MN

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge MI

Devils Lake Wetland Management District ND
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National 

Wildlife Refuge CA

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge IA

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge WA

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge MD

Eastern Shore Of Virginia National Wildlife 

Refuge VA

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge NJ

Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge FL

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge NY

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National 

Wildlife Refuge VA

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge IL

Erie National Wildlife Refuge PA

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife 

Refuge SC

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge AL

Fallon National Wildlife Refuge NV

Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge AR

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District MN 

Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge UT

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge VA

Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge WA

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge KS

Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge ND

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge NE

Fox River National Wildlife Refuge WI

Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge ME

Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge WA

Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge MN

Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge MS

Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge LA

Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge WI

Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge ID

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge NH

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge VA

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge MA

Great River National Wildlife Refuge MO

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge NJ

Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge FL

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge VI

Grulla National Wildlife Refuge TX

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife 

Refuge CA

Guam National Wildlife Refuge GU

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge TX

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge HI

Halfbreed Lake National Wildlife Refuge MT

Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge MN

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge HI

Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge LA

Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge MI

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge GA

Hart Mountain National Antelope Range OR

Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge TN

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge CA

Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge HI

Hillside National Wildlife Refuge MS

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge FL

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge AR

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge WI

Howland Island National Wildlife Refuge HI

Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge CA

Huron National Wildlife Refuge MI

Huron Wetland Management District SD

Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge WY

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge AZ

Innoko National Wildlife Refuge AK

Iowa Wetland Management District IA

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge NY

Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge FL

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge AK

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge ND

J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District ND

J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge FL

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge HI

James River National Wildlife Refuge VA

Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge HI

John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge RI

John Hay National Wildlife Refuge NH

John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge PA

Johnston Island National Wildlife Refuge HI

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian 

White-Tailed Deer WA

Kakahaia National Wildlife Refuge HI

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge AK

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge AK

Kern National Wildlife Refuge CA

Key West National Wildlife Refuge FL

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge HI

Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area MI

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge KS

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge AK

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge ID

Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge AK

Kulm Wetland Management District ND

Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge LA

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge SD

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge TX

Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge PR

Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge ND

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge SD

Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge ND

Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge TN

Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge MT

Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge LA

Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge NH

Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge FL

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge FL

Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge ND

Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge NM

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge MT
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

115 

Leopold Wetland Management District WI

Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge AZ

Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge WA

Litchfield Wetland Management District MN

Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge WA

Little River National Wildlife Refuge OK

Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge ND

Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge ND

Louisiana Wetland Management District LA

Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge TN

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife 

Refuge TX

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge FL

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge NC

Madison Wetland Management District SD

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge ME

Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge LA

Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge CA

Martin National Wildlife Refuge MD

Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge MA 

Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge MS

Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge FL

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge NC

Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge NM

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge TX

McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge OR

McNary National Wildlife Refuge WA

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge MT

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge IL

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge FL

Michigan Wetland Management District MI

Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge MI

Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife 

Refuge IL

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge HI

Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge MN

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge MO

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge ID

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge VT

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge CA

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge MA

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge NY

Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge MS

Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge AL

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge IN

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge MA

National Key Deer Refuge FL

Navassa Island National Wildlife Refuge PR

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge WI

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge OR

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge RI

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge WA

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge NE

Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge AK

Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge MS

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge VA

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge WV

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge GA

Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge OR

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge UT

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge MA

Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area ID

Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge NY

Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge MS

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge MA

Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge WY

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and 

Wildlife Management Area IN

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge NC

Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge NC

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge FL

Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge GA

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge GA

Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge FL

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge NC

Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge AR

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge IA

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge DE

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge ME

Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District NE

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife 

Refuge VA

Red River National Wildlife Refuge LA

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge TN

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge MN

Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge NC

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge NV

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge MN

Sabine National Wildlife Refuge LA

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge RI

Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge CA

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge CA

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge OK

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge TX

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge CA

San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge CA

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge CA

Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge VI

Santee National Wildlife Refuge SC

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge SC

Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge ME

Selawik National Wildlife Refuge AK

Seney National Wildlife Refuge MI

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge OK

Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge LA

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge MN

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge MI

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge OR

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge MA

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife 

Refuge CA

St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge MS
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

116 

St. Croix Wetland Management District WI

St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge FL

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge FL

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge FL

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge WA

Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge CT

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge NV

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge ME

Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge NJ

Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge MD

Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge MO

Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge NC

Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge MS

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge MN

Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge NY

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge FL

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge TN

Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge LA

Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge AK

Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge ND

Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge TX

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge CA

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge OK

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge AK

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge WI

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge TX

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge RI

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge OR

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge CA

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge IL

UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge MT

Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge OR

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge IA

Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge OR

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & 

Fish Refuge MN

Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge LA

Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge ND

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge NE

Valley City Wetland Management District ND

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge NJ

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge AR

Washita National Wildlife Refuge OK

Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge GA

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge NY

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge AL

White River National Wildlife Refuge AR

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge OK

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge WA

Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management 

Area CA

Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge GA

Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge MS

Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge AK

Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge AK

G.4 National Wilderness Areas

As of 7/22/2009, there were 776 national wilderness areas in the United States. Section 

4(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (16 U.S. C. 1131-1136) strictly prohibits motorized 

vehicles, vessels, aircrafts or equipment for the purposes of transport of any kind within 

the boundaries of all wilderness areas. Exceptions to this Act include motorized vehicle 

use for the purposes of gathering information on minerals or other resources; for the 

purposes of controlling fire, insects, or disease; and in wilderness areas where aircraft or 

motorized boat use have already been established prior to 1964. 

The following is a list of all National Wilderness Areas within the United States. 

GIS shape files for each area can be found by accessing the following website: 

www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=geography#tabs-4. 

Alabama

Cheaha Wilderness Dugger Mountain Wilderness Sipsey Wilderness

Alaska

Aleutian Islands Wilderness

Andreafsky Wilderness

Becharof Wilderness

Bering Sea Wilderness

Karta River Wilderness

Katmai Wilderness

Kenai Wilderness

Kobuk Valley Wilderness

Saint Lazaria Wilderness

Selawik Wilderness

Semidi Wilderness

Simeonof Wilderness
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

117 

Bogoslof Wilderness

Chamisso Wilderness

Chuck River Wilderness

Coronation Island Wilderness

Denali Wilderness

Endicott River Wilderness

Forrester Island Wilderness

Gates of the Arctic Wilderness

Glacier Bay Wilderness

Hazy Islands Wilderness

Innoko Wilderness

Izembek Wilderness

Kootznoowoo Wilderness

Koyukuk Wilderness

Kuiu Wilderness

Lake Clark Wilderness

Maurille Islands Wilderness

Misty Fjords National Monument 

Wilderness

Mollie Beattie Wilderness

Noatak Wilderness

Nunivak Wilderness

Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt 

Chuck Wilderness

Pleasant/Lemusurier/Inian Islands 

Wilderness

Russell Fjord Wilderness

South Baranof Wilderness

South Etolin Wilderness

South Prince of Wales Wilderness

Stikine-LeConte Wilderness

Tebenkof Bay Wilderness

Togiak Wilderness

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror 

Wilderness

Tuxedni Wilderness

Unimak Wilderness

Warren Island Wilderness

West Chichagof-Yakobi 

Wilderness

Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness

Arizona

Apache Creek Wilderness

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Arrastra Mountain Wilderness

Aubrey Peak Wilderness

Baboquivari Peak Wilderness

Bear Wallow Wilderness

Beaver Dam Mountains 

Wilderness

Big Horn Mountains Wilderness

Cabeza Prieta Wilderness

Castle Creek Wilderness

Cedar Bench Wilderness

Chiricahua National Monument 

Wilderness

Chiricahua Wilderness

Cottonwood Point Wilderness

Coyote Mountains Wilderness

Dos Cabezas Mountains 

Wilderness

Eagletail Mountains Wilderness

East Cactus Plain Wilderness

Escudilla Wilderness

Fishhooks Wilderness

Fossil Springs Wilderness

Four Peaks Wilderness

Galiuro Wilderness

Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness

Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness

Granite Mountain Wilderness

Harcuvar Mountains Wilderness

Harquahala Mountains Wilderness

Hassayampa River Canyon 

Wilderness

Havasu Wilderness

Hells Canyon Wilderness

Hellsgate Wilderness

Hummingbird Springs Wilderness

Imperial Refuge Wilderness

Juniper Mesa Wilderness

Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kanab Creek Wilderness

Kendrick Mountain Wilderness

Kofa Wilderness

Mazatzal Wilderness

Miller Peak Wilderness

Mount Baldy Wilderness

Mount Logan Wilderness

Mount Nutt Wilderness

Mount Tipton Wilderness

Mount Trumbull Wilderness

Mount Wilson Wilderness

Mt. Wrightson Wilderness

Muggins Mountain Wilderness

Munds Mountain Wilderness

Needle's Eye Wilderness

New Water Mountains Wilderness

North Maricopa Mountains 

Wilderness

North Santa Teresa Wilderness

Organ Pipe Cactus Wilderness

Paiute Wilderness

Pajarita Wilderness

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs 

Wilderness

Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness

Petrified Forest National 

Wilderness Area

Pine Mountain Wilderness

Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Rawhide Mountains Wilderness

Red Rock-Secret Mountain 

Wilderness

Redfield Canyon Wilderness

Rincon Mountain Wilderness

Saddle Mountain Wilderness

Saguaro Wilderness

Salome Wilderness

Salt River Canyon Wilderness

Santa Teresa Wilderness

Sierra Ancha Wilderness

Sierra Estrella Wilderness

Signal Mountain Wilderness

South Maricopa Mountains 

Wilderness

Strawberry Crater Wilderness

Superstition Wilderness

Swansea Wilderness

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

Table Top Wilderness

Tres Alamos Wilderness

Trigo Mountain Wilderness

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness

Wabayuma Peak Wilderness

Warm Springs Wilderness

West Clear Creek Wilderness

Wet Beaver Wilderness

White Canyon Wilderness

Woodchute Wilderness

Woolsey Peak Wilderness
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

118 

Arkansas

Big Lake Wilderness

Black Fork Mountain Wilderness

Buffalo National River 

Wilderness

Caney Creek Wilderness

Dry Creek Wilderness

East Fork Wilderness

Flatside Wilderness

Hurricane Creek Wilderness

Leatherwood Wilderness

Poteau Mountain Wilderness

Richland Creek Wilderness

Upper Buffalo Wilderness

California

Agua Tibia Wilderness

Ansel Adams Wilderness

Argus Range Wilderness

Beauty Mountain Wilderness

Big Maria Mountains Wilderness

Bigelow Cholla Garden 

Wilderness

Bighorn Mountain Wilderness

Black Mountain Wilderness

Bright Star Wilderness

Bristol Mountains Wilderness

Bucks Lake Wilderness

Cache Creek Wilderness

Cadiz Dunes Wilderness

Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness

Caribou Wilderness

Carrizo Gorge Wilderness

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

Castle Crags Wilderness

Cedar Roughs Wilderness

Chanchelulla Wilderness

Chemehuevi Mountains 

Wilderness

Chimney Peak Wilderness

Chuckwalla Mountains 

Wilderness

Chumash Wilderness

Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness

Clipper Mountain Wilderness

Coso Range Wilderness

Coyote Mountains Wilderness

Cucamonga Wilderness

Darwin Falls Wilderness

Dead Mountains Wilderness

Death Valley Wilderness

Desolation Wilderness

Dick Smith Wilderness

Dinkey Lakes Wilderness

Domeland Wilderness

El Paso Mountains Wilderness

Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness

Emigrant Wilderness

Farallon Wilderness

Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness

Funeral Mountains Wilderness

Garcia Wilderness

Golden Trout Wilderness

Hollow Hills Wilderness

Hoover Wilderness

Ibex Wilderness

Imperial Refuge Wilderness

Indian Pass Wilderness

Inyo Mountains Wilderness

Ishi Wilderness

Jacumba Wilderness

Jennie Lakes Wilderness

John Krebs Wilderness

John Muir Wilderness

Joshua Tree Wilderness

Kaiser Wilderness

Kelso Dunes Wilderness

Kiavah Wilderness

King Range Wilderness

Kingston Range Wilderness

Lassen Volcanic Wilderness

Lava Beds Wilderness

Little Chuckwalla Mountains 

Wilderness

Little Picacho Wilderness

Machesna Mountain Wilderness

Magic Mountain Wilderness

Malpais Mesa Wilderness

Manly Peak Wilderness

Marble Mountain Wilderness

Matilija Wilderness

Mecca Hills Wilderness

Mesquite Wilderness

Mojave Wilderness

Mokelumne Wilderness

Monarch Wilderness

Mount Lassic Wilderness

Mt. Shasta Wilderness

Newberry Mountains Wilderness

Nopah Range Wilderness

North Algodones Dunes 

Wilderness

North Fork Wilderness

North Mesquite Mountains 

Wilderness

Old Woman Mountains 

Wilderness

Orocopia Mountains Wilderness

Otay Mountain Wilderness

Owens Peak Wilderness

Pine Creek Wilderness

Pinnacles Wilderness

Pinto Mountains Wilderness

Piper Mountain Wilderness

Piute Mountains Wilderness

Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness

Red Buttes Wilderness

Resting Spring Range Wilderness

Rice Valley Wilderness

Riverside Mountains Wilderness

Rocks and Islands Wilderness

Rodman Mountains Wilderness

Russian Wilderness

Sacatar Trail Wilderness

Saddle Peak Hills Wilderness

San Gabriel Wilderness

San Gorgonio Wilderness

San Jacinto Wilderness

San Mateo Canyon Wilderness

San Rafael Wilderness

Sanhedrin Wilderness

Santa Lucia Wilderness

Santa Rosa Wilderness

Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness

Sequoia-Kings Canyon 

Wilderness

Sespe Wilderness

Sheep Mountain Wilderness

Sheephole Valley Wilderness

Silver Peak Wilderness

Siskiyou Wilderness

Snow Mountain Wilderness

South Fork Eel River Wilderness

South Fork San Jacinto 

Wilderness

South Nopah Range Wilderness

South Sierra Wilderness

South Warner Wilderness

Stateline Wilderness

Stepladder Mountains Wilderness

Surprise Canyon Wilderness

Sylvania Mountains Wilderness

Thousand Lakes Wilderness

Trilobite Wilderness

Trinity Alps Wilderness

Turtle Mountains Wilderness

Ventana Wilderness
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

119 

Golden Valley Wilderness

Granite Chief Wilderness

Granite Mountain Wilderness

Grass Valley Wilderness

Hauser Wilderness

Havasu Wilderness

Owens River Headwaters 

Wilderness

Pahrump Valley Wilderness

Palen/McCoy Wilderness

Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness

Phillip Burton Wilderness

Picacho Peak Wilderness

Whipple Mountains Wilderness

White Mountains Wilderness

Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel 

Wilderness

Yosemite Wilderness

Yuki Wilderness

Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison 

Wilderness

Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness

Buffalo Peaks Wilderness

Byers Peak Wilderness

Cache La Poudre Wilderness

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness

Comanche Peak Wilderness

Dominguez Canyon Wilderness

Eagles Nest Wilderness

Flat Tops Wilderness

Fossil Ridge Wilderness

Great Sand Dunes Wilderness

Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness

Gunnison Gorge Wilderness

Holy Cross Wilderness

Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness

Indian Peaks Wilderness

James Peak Wilderness

La Garita Wilderness

Lizard Head Wilderness

Lost Creek Wilderness

Maroon Bells-Snowmass 

Wilderness

Mesa Verde Wilderness

Mount Evans Wilderness

Mount Massive Wilderness

Mount Sneffels Wilderness

Mount Zirkel Wilderness

Neota Wilderness

Never Summer Wilderness

Platte River Wilderness

Powderhorn Wilderness

Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness

Raggeds Wilderness

Rawah Wilderness

Rocky Mountain National Park 

Wilderness

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness

Sarvis Creek Wilderness

South San Juan Wilderness

Spanish Peaks Wilderness

Uncompahgre Wilderness

Vasquez Peak Wilderness

Weminuche Wilderness

West Elk Wilderness

Florida

Alexander Springs Wilderness

Big Gum Swamp Wilderness

Billies Bay Wilderness

Bradwell Bay Wilderness

Cedar Keys Wilderness

Chassahowitzka Wilderness

Florida Keys Wilderness

Island Bay Wilderness

J.N. "Ding" Darling Wilderness

Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Lake Woodruff Wilderness

Little Lake George Wilderness

Marjory Stoneman Douglas 

Wilderness

Mud Swamp/New River 

Wilderness

Passage Key Wilderness

Pelican Island Wilderness

St. Marks Wilderness

Georgia

Big Frog Wilderness

Blackbeard Island Wilderness

Blood Mountain Wilderness

Brasstown Wilderness

Cohutta Wilderness

Cumberland Island Wilderness

Ellicott Rock Wilderness

Mark Trail Wilderness

Okefenokee Wilderness

Raven Cliffs Wilderness

Rich Mountain Wilderness

Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Tray Mountain Wilderness

Wolf Island Wilderness

Hawaii

Haleakala Wilderness Hawaii Volcanoes Wilderness

Idaho

Big Jacks Creek Wilderness

Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers 

Wilderness

Craters of the Moon National 

Wilderness Area

Frank Church-River of No Return 

Wilderness

Gospel-Hump Wilderness

Hells Canyon Wilderness

Little Jacks Creek Wilderness

North Fork Owyhee Wilderness

Owyhee River Wilderness

Pole Creek Wilderness

Sawtooth Wilderness

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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Illinois

Bald Knob Wilderness

Bay Creek Wilderness

Burden Falls Wilderness

Clear Springs Wilderness

Crab Orchard Wilderness

Garden of the Gods Wilderness

Lusk Creek Wilderness

Panther Den Wilderness

Indiana

Charles C. Deam Wilderness

Kentucky

Beaver Creek Wilderness Clifty Wilderness

Louisiana

Breton Wilderness Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Lacassine Wilderness

Maine

Caribou-Speckled Mountain 

Wilderness

Moosehorn (Baring Unit) 

Wilderness

Moosehorn Wilderness

Massachusetts

Monomoy Wilderness

Michigan

Beaver Basin Wilderness

Big Island Lake Wilderness

Delirium Wilderness

Horseshoe Bay Wilderness

Huron Islands Wilderness

Isle Royale Wilderness

Mackinac Wilderness

McCormick Wilderness

Michigan Islands Wilderness

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Rock River Canyon Wilderness

Round Island Wilderness

Seney Wilderness

Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness

Sylvania Wilderness

Minnesota

Agassiz Wilderness Boundary Waters Canoe Area 

Wilderness

Tamarac Wilderness

Mississippi

Black Creek Wilderness Gulf Islands Wilderness Leaf Wilderness

Missouri

Bell Mountain Wilderness

Devils Backbone Wilderness

Hercules-Glades Wilderness

Irish Wilderness

Mingo Wilderness

Paddy Creek Wilderness

Piney Creek Wilderness

Rockpile Mountain Wilderness

Montana

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Anaconda Pintler Wilderness

Bob Marshall Wilderness

Cabinet Mountains Wilderness

Gates of the Mountains 

Wilderness

Great Bear Wilderness

Lee Metcalf Wilderness

Medicine Lake Wilderness

Mission Mountains Wilderness

Rattlesnake Wilderness

Red Rock Lakes Wilderness

Scapegoat Wilderness

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

UL Bend Wilderness

Welcome Creek Wilderness

Nebraska

Fort Niobrara Wilderness Soldier Creek Wilderness
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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Nevada

Alta Toquima Wilderness

Arc Dome Wilderness

Arrow Canyon Wilderness

Bald Mountain Wilderness

Becky Peak Wilderness

Big Rocks Wilderness

Black Canyon Wilderness

Black Rock Desert Wilderness

Boundary Peak Wilderness

Bridge Canyon Wilderness

Bristlecone Wilderness

Calico Mountains Wilderness

Clover Mountains Wilderness

Currant Mountain Wilderness

Death Valley Wilderness

Delamar Mountains Wilderness

East Fork High Rock Canyon 

Wilderness

East Humboldts Wilderness

Eldorado Wilderness

Far South Egans Wilderness

Fortification Range Wilderness

Goshute Canyon Wilderness

Government Peak Wilderness

Grant Range Wilderness

High Rock Canyon Wilderness

High Rock Lake Wilderness

High Schells Wilderness

Highland Ridge Wilderness

Ireteba Peaks Wilderness

Jarbidge Wilderness

Jimbilnan Wilderness

Jumbo Springs Wilderness

La Madre Mountain Wilderness

Lime Canyon Wilderness

Little High Rock Canyon 

Wilderness

Meadow Valley Range 

Wilderness

Mormon Mountains Wilderness

Mount Grafton Wilderness

Mt. Charleston Wilderness

Mt. Irish Wilderness

Mt. Moriah Wilderness

Mt. Rose Wilderness

Muddy Mountains Wilderness

Nellis Wash Wilderness

North Black Rock Range 

Wilderness

North Jackson Mountains 

Wilderness

North McCullough Wilderness

Pahute Peak Wilderness

Parsnip Peak Wilderness

Pinto Valley Wilderness

Quinn Canyon Wilderness

Rainbow Mountain Wilderness

Red Mountain Wilderness

Ruby Mountains Wilderness

Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak 

Wilderness

Shellback Wilderness

South Egan Range Wilderness

South Jackson Mountains 

Wilderness

South McCullough Wilderness

South Pahroc Range Wilderness

Spirit Mountain Wilderness

Table Mountain Wilderness

Tunnel Spring Wilderness

Wee Thump Joshua Tree 

Wilderness

Weepah Spring Wilderness

White Pine Range Wilderness

White Rock Range Wilderness

Worthington Mountains 

Wilderness

New Hampshire

Great Gulf Wilderness

Pemigewasset Wilderness

Presidential Range-Dry River 

Wilderness

Sandwich Range Wilderness

Wild River Wilderness

New Jersey

Brigantine Wilderness Great Swamp National Wildlife 

Refuge Wilderness

New Mexico

Aldo Leopold Wilderness

Apache Kid Wilderness

Bandelier Wilderness

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

Blue Range Wilderness

Bosque del Apache Wilderness

Capitan Mountains Wilderness

Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness

Cebolla Wilderness

Chama River Canyon Wilderness

Cruces Basin Wilderness

Dome Wilderness

Gila Wilderness

Latir Peak Wilderness

Manzano Mountain Wilderness

Ojito Wilderness

Pecos Wilderness

Sabinoso Wilderness

Salt Creek Wilderness

San Pedro Parks Wilderness

Sandia Mountain Wilderness

West Malpais Wilderness

Wheeler Peak Wilderness

White Mountain Wilderness

Withington Wilderness

New York

Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness

North Carolina

Birkhead Mountains Wilderness

Catfish Lake South Wilderness

Linville Gorge Wilderness

Middle Prong Wilderness

Sheep Ridge Wilderness

Shining Rock Wilderness
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Ellicott Rock Wilderness

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock 

Wilderness

Pocosin Wilderness

Pond Pine Wilderness

Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Swanquarter Wilderness

North Dakota

Chase Lake Wilderness Lostwood Wilderness Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness

Ohio

West Sister Island Wilderness

Oklahoma

Black Fork Mountain Wilderness Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness Wichita Mountains Wilderness

Oregon

Badger Creek Wilderness

Black Canyon Wilderness

Boulder Creek Wilderness

Bridge Creek Wilderness

Bull of the Woods Wilderness

Clackamas Wilderness

Copper Salmon Wilderness

Cummins Creek Wilderness

Diamond Peak Wilderness

Drift Creek Wilderness

Eagle Cap Wilderness

Gearhart Mountain Wilderness

Grassy Knob Wilderness

Hells Canyon Wilderness

Kalmiopsis Wilderness

Lower White River Wilderness

Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness

Menagerie Wilderness

Middle Santiam Wilderness

Mill Creek Wilderness

Monument Rock Wilderness

Mount Hood Wilderness

Mount Jefferson Wilderness

Mount Thielsen Wilderness

Mount Washington Wilderness

Mountain Lakes Wilderness

North Fork John Day Wilderness

North Fork Umatilla Wilderness

Opal Creek Wilderness

Oregon Badlands Wilderness

Oregon Islands Wilderness

Red Buttes Wilderness

Roaring River Wilderness

Rock Creek Wilderness

Rogue-Umpqua Divide 

Wilderness

Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Sky Lakes Wilderness

Soda Mountain Wilderness

Spring Basin Wilderness

Steens Mountain Wilderness

Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Table Rock Wilderness

Three Arch Rocks Wilderness

Three Sisters Wilderness

Waldo Lake Wilderness

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness

Wild Rogue Wilderness

Pennsylvania

Allegheny Islands Wilderness Hickory Creek Wilderness

Puerto Rico

El Toro Wilderness

South Carolina

Cape Romain Wilderness

Congaree National Park 

Wilderness

Ellicott Rock Wilderness

Hell Hole Bay Wilderness

Little Wambaw Swamp 

Wilderness

Wambaw Creek Wilderness

Wambaw Swamp Wilderness

South Dakota

Badlands Wilderness Black Elk Wilderness

Tennessee

Bald River Gorge Wilderness

Big Frog Wilderness

Big Laurel Branch Wilderness

Citico Creek Wilderness

Cohutta Wilderness

Gee Creek Wilderness

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock 

Wilderness

Little Frog Mountain Wilderness

Pond Mountain Wilderness

Sampson Mountain Wilderness

Unaka Mountain Wilderness
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

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Texas

Big Slough Wilderness

Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness

Indian Mounds Wilderness

Little Lake Creek Wilderness

Turkey Hill Wilderness

Upland Island Wilderness

Utah

Ashdown Gorge Wilderness

Beartrap Canyon Wilderness

Beaver Dam Mountains 

Wilderness

Blackridge Wilderness

Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness

Box-Death Hollow Wilderness

Canaan Mountain Wilderness 

Cedar Mountain Wilderness Area

Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness

Cottonwood Forest Wilderness

Cougar Canyon Wilderness

Dark Canyon Wilderness

Deep Creek North Wilderness 

Deep Creek Wilderness

Deseret Peak Wilderness

Doc's Pass Wilderness

Goose Creek Wilderness

High Uintas Wilderness

LaVerkin Creek Wilderness

Lone Peak Wilderness

Mount Naomi Wilderness

Mount Nebo Wilderness

Mount Olympus Wilderness

Mount Timpanogos Wilderness

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs 

Wilderness

Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness

Red Butte Wilderness

Red Mountain Wilderness

Slaughter Creek Wilderness

Taylor Creek Wilderness

Twin Peaks Wilderness

Wellsville Mountain Wilderness

Zion Wilderness

Vermont

Big Branch Wilderness

Breadloaf Wilderness

Bristol Cliffs Wilderness

George D. Aiken Wilderness

Glastenbury Wilderness

Joseph Battell Wilderness

Lye Brook Wilderness

Peru Peak Wilderness

Virginia

Barbours Creek Wilderness

Beartown Wilderness

Brush Mountain East Wilderness

Brush Mountain Wilderness

Garden Mountain Wilderness

Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness

James River Face Wilderness

Kimberling Creek Wilderness

Lewis Fork Wilderness

Little Dry Run Wilderness

Little Wilson Creek Wilderness

Mountain Lake Wilderness

Peters Mountain Wilderness

Priest Wilderness

Raccoon Branch Wilderness

Ramseys Draft Wilderness

Rich Hole Wilderness

Rough Mountain Wilderness

Saint Mary's Wilderness

Shawvers Run Wilderness

Shenandoah Wilderness

Stone Mountain Wilderness

Three Ridges Wilderness

Thunder Ridge Wilderness

Washington

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Boulder River Wilderness

Buckhorn Wilderness

Clearwater Wilderness

Colonel Bob Wilderness

Glacier Peak Wilderness

Glacier View Wilderness

Goat Rocks Wilderness

Henry M. Jackson Wilderness

Indian Heaven Wilderness

Juniper Dunes Wilderness

Lake Chelan-Sawtooth 

Wilderness

Mount Adams Wilderness

Mount Baker Wilderness

Mount Rainier Wilderness

Mount Skokomish Wilderness

Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness

Norse Peak Wilderness

Olympic Wilderness

Pasayten Wilderness

Salmo-Priest Wilderness

San Juan Wilderness

Stephen Mather Wilderness

Tatoosh Wilderness

The Brothers Wilderness

Trapper Creek Wilderness

Washington Islands Wilderness

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness

Wild Sky Wilderness

William O. Douglas Wilderness

Wonder Mountain Wilderness

West Virginia

Big Draft Wilderness

Cranberry Wilderness

Laurel Fork North Wilderness

Laurel Fork South Wilderness

Mountain Lake Wilderness

Roaring Plains West Wilderness
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Dolly Sods Wilderness Otter Creek Wilderness

Spice Run Wilderness

Wisconsin

Blackjack Springs Wilderness

Gaylord A. Nelson Wilderness

Headwaters Wilderness

Porcupine Lake Wilderness

Rainbow Lake Wilderness

Whisker Lake Wilderness

Wisconsin Islands Wilderness

Wyoming

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Bridger Wilderness

Cloud Peak Wilderness

Encampment River Wilderness

Fitzpatrick Wilderness

Gros Ventre Wilderness

Huston Park Wilderness

Jedediah Smith Wilderness

North Absaroka Wilderness

Platte River Wilderness

Popo Agie Wilderness

Savage Run Wilderness

Teton Wilderness

Washakie Wilderness

Winegar Hole Wilderness

G.5 National Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Alagnak, Alaska

Alatna, Alaska

Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine

Allegheny, Pennsylvania

American (Lower), California

Andreafsky, Alaska

Aniakchak, Alaska

Au Sable, Michigan

Bear Creek, Michigan

Beaver Creek, Alaska

Big and Little Darby Creeks, Ohio

Big Marsh Creek, Oregon

Big Piney Creek, Arkansas

Big Sur, California

Birch Creek, Alaska

Black Butte, California

Black Creek, Mississippi

Black, Michigan

Bluestone, West Virginia

Buffalo, Arkansas

Cache la Poudre, Colorado

Carp, Michigan

Charley, Alaska

Chattooga, Georgia, North and South Carolina

Chetco, Oregon

Chilikadrotna, Alaska

Clackamas, Oregon

Clarion, Pennsylvania

Clarks Fork Yellowstone, Wyoming

Cossatot, Arkansas

Crescent Creek, Oregon

Crooked, Oregon

Delaware (Lower), New Jersey & Pennsylvania

Delaware (Middle), New Jersey & Pennsylvania

Delaware (Upper), New York & Pennsylvania

Delta, Alaska

Deschutes, Oregon

Donner und Blitzen, Oregon

Eagle Creek, Oregon

East Branch Tahquamenon, Michigan

East Fork Jemez, New Mexico

Eel, California

Eleven Point, Missouri

Elk, Oregon

Elkhorn Creek, Oregon

Farmington (West Branch), Connecticut

Feather, California

Flathead, Montana 

Fortymile, Alaska

Grande Ronde, Oregon

Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Gulkana, Alaska

Horsepasture, North Carolina

Hurricane Creek, Arkansas

Illinois, Oregon

Imnaha, Oregon

Indian, Michigan

Ivishak, Alaska

John Day, Oregon

John, Alaska

Joseph Creek, Oregon

Kern, California

Kings, California

Klamath, California

Klickitat, Washington

Kobuk, Alaska

Lamprey, New Hampshire

Little Beaver, Ohio

Little Deschutes, Oregon

Little Miami, Ohio

Little Missouri, Arkansas

Lostine, Oregon

Loxahatchee, Florida

Lumber, North Carolina
***E.O. 12866 Review – Draft – Do not quote, cite or release during review***

125 

Malheur, Oregon

Manistee, Michigan

Maurice, New Jersey

McKenzie, Oregon

Merced, California

Metolius, Oregon

Middle Fork Clearwater, Idaho

Middle Fork Salmon, Idaho

Middle Fork Vermilion, Illinois

Minam, Oregon

Missouri, Montana

Mulberry, Arkansas

Mulchatna, Alaska

Musconetcong, New Jersey

New, North Carolina

Niobrara, Nebraska

Noatak, Alaska

North Fork American, California

North Fork Crooked, Oregon

North Fork John Day, Oregon

North Fork Koyukuk, Alaska

North Fork Malheur, Oregon

North Fork Middle Fork Willamette, Oregon

North Fork Owyhee, Oregon

North Fork Smith, Oregon

North Fork Sprague, Oregon

North Powder, Oregon

North Sylamore Creek, Arkansas

North Umpqua, Oregon

Nowitna, Alaska

Obed, Tennessee

Ontonagon, Michigan

Owyhee, Oregon

Paint, Michigan 

Pecos, New Mexico

Pere Marquette, Michigan

Pine, Michigan

Powder, Oregon

Presque Isle, Michigan

Quartzville Creek, Oregon

Rapid, Idaho

Red, Kentucky

Richland Creek, Arkansas

Rio Chama, New Mexico

Rio de la Mina, Puerto Rico

Rio Grande, New Mexico

Rio Grande, Texas

Rio Icacos, Puerto Rico

Rio Mameyes, Puerto Rico

Roaring, Oregon

Rogue, Oregon

Saint Joe, Idaho

Saline Bayou, Louisiana

Salmon, Alaska

Salmon, Idaho

Salmon, Oregon

Sandy, Oregon

Selawik, Alaska

Sespe Creek, California

Sheenjek, Alaska

Sipsey Fork West Fork, Alabama

Sisquoc, California

Skagit, Washington

Smith, California

Snake, Idaho & Oregon

South Fork John Day, Oregon

Squaw Creek, Oregon

St. Croix (Lower) Minnesota & Wisconsin

St. Croix (Lower), Minnesota & Wisconsin

St. Croix, Minnesota & Wisconsin

Sturgeon, Michigan (Hiawatha National Forest)

Sturgeon, Michigan (Ottawa National Forest)

Sudbury, Assabet, Concord, Massachusetts

Sycan, Oregon

Tinayguk, Alaska

Tlikakila, Alaska

Trinity, California

Tuolumne, California

Unalakleet, Alaska

Upper Rogue, Oregon

Verde, Arizona

Wallowa, Oregon

Wekiva, Florida

Wenaha, Oregon

West Little Owyhee, Oregon

Westfield, Massachusetts

White Clay Creek, Delaware & Pennsylvania

White Salmon, Washington

White, Oregon

Whitefish, Michigan

Wildcat River, New Hampshire 

Wildhorse and Kiger Creeks, Oregon

Wilson Creek, North Carolina

Wind, Alaska

Wolf, Wisconsin

Yellow Dog, Michigan

G.6 Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) Designated by a State or 

Tribe

States have an obligation under the antidegradation policy of the CWA to ensure that 

water quality is maintained and protected where "high quality waters constitute an 

outstanding national resource, such as water of national and state parks and wildlife 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

126 

refuges and waters of exceptional recreational or ecological significance." 40 CFR § 

131.12(a)(3). 

Water Resources Boards may designate certain waters, including wetlands, as 

outstanding under state and federal law. When waters are designated, their existing water 

quality shall, at a minimum, be protected and maintained. Because ONRWs are 

designated by each state, permittees should consult state water quality management 

agencies to determine if ONRWs exist in the area where they may operate their vessel.
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

127 

Appendix H – Annual Report

EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

Washington, DC 20460 Form Approved OMB No. 

One Time Report for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation 2040-0004

Of a Vessel under the NPDES Vessel General Permit

Owner/Operator and Vessel Information

Date Submitted ___________________ Vessel NOI Number (if applicable) _________

Vessel Owner/Operator ___________________________ Phone___________________________ 

Address________________________________________ E-mail___________________________ 

Vessel Name ____________________________________ Vessel Type ______________________ 

Length _____________________FEET/METERS (Circle One) Gross Tonnage _____________________ 

Date of Vessel Construction ________________________ 

Calendar Year for which you are submitting the report: _____ 

Did your vessel operate in waters subject to this permit during the previous calendar year: □ Yes □ No

If you answered No to this question, completion of the remainder the following questions is voluntary; 

however you must certify the bottom of the report. 

Questions

1. Please list your vessel’s primary geographical regions of operation in U.S. waters last year and 

report the approximate percentage of time was your vessel in each region?

□ Gulf Coast ___ □ Pacific Coast ___ □ Atlantic Coast ___ □ Mississippi-Ohio River System 

___ □ Great Lakes ___ □ Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands □ Other: _________ 

2a. Did you conduct the following inspections in the last year?

 Drydock □ Yes □No Most recent inspection date: _________

 Annual □ Yes □ No Most recent inspection date: _________

 All Required Routine □ Yes □No 

 If you checked no, how many routine inspections did you miss in the last year? 

 □ 1-2 □3-4 □5-6 □7 or more

2b. On average, how often did you conduct routine inspections in the last year? 

□ Never □Once per week □Between once per week and once per day □Once per day □More 

than once per day □Other: ________________ 

3a. Did your vessel discharge ballast water in U.S. waters? □ Yes □No 

What is the capacity of your vessel’s ballast tank? ___________ 

Does your vessel have a ballast water treatment system? □ Yes □No □ N/A

 If you answered yes, please attach analytical monitoring data for treated ballast water discharges 

required by Parts 2.2.3.5.1.1 of the permit.

3b. Does your vessel have an exhaust gas scrubber? □ Yes □No 

Did your vessel discharge washwater from its exhaust gas scrubber in U.S. waters? □ Yes □No □ 

N/A
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

128 

 If you answered yes, please attach analytical monitoring data for exhaust gas scrubber washwater 

 Discharge required by Part 2.2.26 of the permit.

3c. Does your vessel have an oily water separator (OWS)? □ Yes □No

If your vessel is greater than 400 GT did it discharge treated bilgewater within 1 nm of shore? □ Yes 

□No □ N/A

If you answered yes, why did you discharge? 

□ Never left waters subject to this permit, but the discharge met a 15 ppm standard. □ Technically 

infeasible or unsafe to hold (if checked, please attach explanation as to why it was technically 

infeasible or unsafe to hold). 

3d. Did you discharge treated or untreated graywater in U.S. waters? □ Yes □No

Does your vessel have and use a treatment system for graywater or graywater mixed with sewage? □ 

Yes □No □ N/A

If yes, please list the system make and model: __________ 

 Is your vessel subject to analytical monitoring requirements in Parts 2.2.15, 5.1, or 5.2 □ Yes □ 

No. If yes, please attach analytical monitoring data for treated graywater discharges.

4. Did your vessel store any discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels on board for 

onshore disposal? 

□ Yes (please list) __________________________________________________ □No

If yes, please list disposal method (e.g., onshore treatment, pump out truck)________

5. Did your vessel use environmentally acceptable lubricants for oil to sea interfaces?

□ Yes (please name the brand(s)) __________________________ □No

If not, why? ________________

6. Did you have to claim a safety exemption for any discharge category, and were therefore unable to 

meet effluent limits of the VGP?

□ Yes (please list discharge types) ____________________________________ □No

If yes, reason(s) safety exemptions claimed? ____________________________

7. Did you receive any citations or warnings from EPA or the U.S. Coast Guard for any violations of 

environmental laws? If yes, please scan and attach.

□ Yes (explain) _____________________________________________________________________ 

__________________________________________________________________________________ 

□No

8. Did you have any instances of noncompliance this year (e.g., discharging untreated bilgewater, 

exceeding numeric effluent limits)?

□ Yes □No

If you answered yes, please fill out the form below. Please attach additional pages as necessary.

Date VGP Requirement 

Affected

Description of 

Noncompliance 

Cause of 

Noncompliance 

Description of 

Corrective Action 

Performed or 

Scheduled
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

129 

Certification Information

I certify under penalty of law that the information contained in this form is, to the best of my 

knowledge and belief, true, accurate and complete. Furthermore, I certify under penalty of law that 

this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance 

with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the 

information contained therein. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, 

or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information contained is, to the 

best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I have no personal knowledge that the 

information submitted is other than true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant 

penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for 

knowing violations. 

__________________________________ 

Signature and Date
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

130 

Annual Report: Ballast Water Treatment System Reporting

Supplemental Addendum

A. Ballast Water Treatment System Information

Treatment system description: ___________________________________________________________________

System supplier and model:_____________________________________________________________________ 

Date ballast treatment system put into use: _______________________ 

Technology type (check all that apply):

 Akylamines

 Bioremediation

 Cavitation

 Chlorine addition/electrochlorination

 Chlorine dioxide

 Coagulation

 Other (specify): _______________________ 

 Deoxygenation

 Electric pulse 

 Filtration

 Heat

 Hydrocyclone

 Menadione/Vitamin K 

 Ozone

 Peracetic acid

 Plasma pulse

 Shear

 Ultrasound

 Ultraviolet

Is the ballast water treatment system type approved?

If you answered “Yes” please provide the flag administration that approved that system?

Yes No

___________________________

Are all type approval data available to US EPA or the US Coast Guard (see Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.1 of 

this permit)? 

Note: if you responded “unknown”, you must follow the monitoring schedule for devices for 

which data are not available. 

Yes No Unknown

B. Monitoring Information

Have all the permit monitoring conditions for the ballast water treatment system(s) that apply to 

your vessel (Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.1 of this permit) been completed during the previous calendar year?

Yes No

Please check which monitoring requirements were completed: 

 Ballast water system functionality monitoring at least monthly.

 Calibration of probes/sensors that measure ballast water treatment performance at least annually.

 Biological monitoring. Number of sampling events: ___

 Residual biocide and derivative monitoring (if applicable). Number of initial: ___ Number of maintenance: ___

Provide ballast water treatment system functional monitoring information and ballast discharge analytical data for the 

previous calendar year in the attached tables. Provide any correlations and/or calculations between measured operating 

parameters and treatment concentrations in the space below (e.g., correlation between measured ORP and chlorine 

concentration in ballast water): 

C. Certifier Name and Title

I certify under penalty of law that this document were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a 

system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and evaluated the information contained therein. Based 

on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the 

information, the information contained is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I have no 

personnel knowledge that the information submitted is other than true, accurate and complete. I am aware that there are 

significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing 

violations.

Print Name:_____________________________________________________

Title:__________________________________________________________

Signature:______________________________________________________

Email:_________________________________________________________
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP)

131 

Ballast Water Treatment System Functionality Monitoring (provide information for all that apply)

Parameter Used to Measure 

System Functionalitya

Unitsb Measurement 

Methodc

Monthd Number of 

Measurements 

per Monthe

Minimum 

Monthly 

Measured 

Value

Average 

Monthly 

Measured 

Value

Maximum 

Monthly 

Measured 

Value

System Design 

Operating 

Range

a. Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.2 and Appendix J of the permit describes the types of measurements required to verify system functionality (e.g., chlorine concentration, ORP, ozone concentration, etc.). 

b. Units include items such as mg/L or ppm for chemical concentrations, lbs or gallons/month for chemical dosage amounts, watts/month for power consumption, etc.

c. Measurement methods can include probe, sensor, sample analysis, counts, etc. 

d. Vessels need to provide information for only those months that ballast water was discharged into U.S. waters.

e. If continuous measurements are recorded for the parameter, note “continuous” in the provided column.

Biological Monitoring of Ballast Water Discharges (provide information for all that apply)

Parameter Analytical Method Sample Date(s)a Sample Result(s)a Units Discharge 

Location

 Total live bacteria

 E. coli

 Enterococci

 Other (specify):

a. Part 2.2.3.5.1.1.4 of the permit provides the required sampling schedule. If you collected multiple samples during the calendar year, 

list the samples and corresponding results in order of date collected.

Residual Biocide/Derivative Monitoring of Ballast Water Discharges (provide information for all that apply) 

Biocide/Derivativea Analytical Method Sample Date(s)b Sample Result(s)b Units Discharge 

Location

a. Section 2.2.3.5.1.1.5 of the permit lists biocides and derivatives the vessel must monitor for based on the type 

treatment system (e.g., chlorine, haloacetic acid, trihalomethanes). You must report those results here.

b. Section 2.2.3.5.1.1.5 provides the required sampling schedule. If you collected multiple samples during the calendar year,

list the samples and corresponding results in order of date collected. 
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) 

132 

Appendix I – Discharge Monitoring Report
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) 

133 

Appendix J – Ballast Water Treatment System Sensors, Measurement Requirements and Appropriate 

Equipment for Physical/Chemical Indicator Monitoring

Technology Type Measurement Potential Control Sensor, 

Equipment, or Procedure

Non Discharge Indicators of 

BWTS performance

Required Metrics to be 

Reported

Alkylamines Alkylamines Chemical analysis and treatment 

monitoring

-Alkylamines concentration at 

injection

-Alkylamines dosage and usage

-Alkylamines sample 

concentration 

-Alkylamines dosage and 

usage

pH pH sensor pH pH readings

Biological agents Treatment chemical Chemical analysis and treatment 

monitoring

-Treatment chemical 

concentration at injection

-Treatment chemical dosage 

and usage

-Treatment chemical sample 

concentration

-Treatment chemical dosage 

and usage

Cavitation Pressure Differential Pressure sensors (before/after) Pressure Differential Pressure readings

Chlorination: (e.g., sodium 

chlorite and sodium 

hypochlorite

Chlorine In-line N,N diethyl-p-phenylene

diamine (DPD) analyzer, sample 

analysis, and treatment 

monitoring

-Chlorine concentration at 

injection

-Chlorine dosage on treatment 

and usage (if chlorine 

addition)

-Chlorine readings from both 

on-line sensor and sample 

analysis

-Chlorine dosage on 

treatment (if chlorine 

addition)

Oxidation reduction 

potential (ORP)

ORP sensor ORP at injection ORP readings

Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics Chlorination module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current (if electrochlorination)

No Reporting Required

Total residual oxidizers 

(TRO)

Amperometric sensor TRO at injection TRO readings

Conductivity/salinity Conductivity and temperature 

sensor

Conductivity and temperature 

at injection

Conductivity/salinity and 

temperature readings

Chlorine Dioxide Chlorine Dioxide On-line chlorine dioxide 

amperometric sensor, Lissamine 

Green B (LGB) sample analysis, 

and treatment monitoring

-Chlorine dioxide concentration 

at injection

- Chlorine dioxide dosage and 

usage (if chlorine addition)

-Chlorine dioxide readings 

from both on-line sensor and 

sample analysis

- Chlorine dioxide dosage and 

usage (if chlorine addition)

Coagulation (flocculent) Coagulant Chemical analysis and treatment 

monitoring

-Treatment flocculent 

concentration at injection

-Treatment chemical dosage 

and usage

- Treatment flocculent 

concentration

-Treatment chemical dosage 

and usage
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) 

134 

Technology Type Measurement Potential Control Sensor, 

Equipment, or Procedure

Non Discharge Indicators of 

BWTS performance

Required Metrics to be 

Reported

Turbidity (NTU) Turbidity sensor Coagulation effluent turbidity Coagulation effluent 

turbidities

Deoxygenation Dose of inert gas (if 

used)

Treatment monitoring Deoxygenation gas dosage and 

usage

Deoxygenation gas dosage 

and usage

pH (if CO2 used) pH sensor pH pH readings

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) DO sensor Deoxygenation module 

dissolved oxygen concentration

Dissolved oxygen 

concentrations

Electric pulse Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics Electric pulse module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

Electric pulse module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current readings

Filtration Flow rate Flow meter Filter effluent flow Flow readings

Pressure Differential Pressure sensors (before/after) Filter pressure differential (e.g., 

before/after filtration)

Filter pressures (before/after)

Back flush frequency Treatment monitoring Filter backwash frequency Filter backwash frequencies

Heat Temperature Thermistors Treatment temperature Temperature readings

Hydrocyclone Back flush frequency Treatment monitoring Hydrocyclone back flush 

frequency

Hydrocyclone back flush 

frequencies

Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics Hydrocyclone power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

Hydrocyclone power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

Menadione/Vitamin K Menadione/Vitamin K Chemical analysis and treatment 

monitoring

-Menadione/Vitamin K 

concentration at injection

-Menadione/Vitamin K dosage 

and usage

-Menadione/Vitamin K 

concentration at injection

-Menadione/Vitamin K dosage 

and usage

Ozone TRO Amperometric sensor TRO at ozone injection TRO readings

Ozone On-line ozone sensor (if used) 

and sample analysis

Ozone concentration at 

injection

Ozone readings from both online sensor (if used) and 

sample analysis

Bromate Sample analysis Bromate at ozone injection Bromate measurements

Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics Ozonation module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

No Reporting Required

Conductivity/salinity Conductivity and temperature 

sensor

Conductivity and temperature 

at injection

Conductivity/salinity and 

temperature readings

Peracetic acid Hydrogen peroxide On-line sensor, chemical 

analysis, treatment monitoring

-Hydrogen peroxide 

concentration at injection

-Hydrogen peroxide dosage 

-Hydrogen peroxide readings 

from both on-line sensor and 

sample analysis
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) 

135 

Technology Type Measurement Potential Control Sensor, 

Equipment, or Procedure

Non Discharge Indicators of 

BWTS performance

Required Metrics to be 

Reported

and usage -Hydrogen peroxide dosage 

and usage

Peracetic acid On-line sensor, chemical 

analysis, treatment monitoring

-Peracetic acid concentration at 

injection

-Peracetic acid dosage and 

usage

-Peracetic acid readings from 

both on-line sensor and 

sample analysis

-Peracetic acid dosage and 

usage

pH pH sensor pH at injection pH readings

Plasma pulse Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics Plasma pulse module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

Plasma pulse module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current readings

Temperature Thermistors Treatment temperature Temperature readings

Shear Pressure differential Pressure sensors (before/after) Pressure differential Pressure readings

Ultrasound Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics Ultrasound power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

Ultrasound module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current readings

UV and UV+TiO2 Power consumption, 

voltage and current

System power diagnostics UV module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

UV module power 

consumption, voltage and 

current

Lamp status and age Treatment monitoring UV lamp status and age No Reporting Required

UV dose, intensity, 

transmittance

UV sensors and monitors UV dose, intensity, 

transmittance

UV dose, intensity, 

transmittance

Flow rate Flow meter UV effluent flow Flow readings
Proposed 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) 

136 

Appendix K – Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection Form (PARI) 

(for vessels which need not complete NOIs)

VGP Authorization and 

 Record of Inspection (PARI) Form

I. Vessel Owner/Operator Information

Vessel Owner/Operator ____________________________ Phone ________________________

Address and Email Address: ________________________________________________________

II. Vessel Information

Vessel Name _____________________________ Vessel Type ___________________

Vessel Identifier ___________________________ □ Registered number/operating number □ IMO number

III. Owner/Operator Acknowledgement

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have read and am familiar with the VGP and that I am 

implementing all permit requirements contained in the VGP.

IV. Certification Information

I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or 

supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gathered and 

evaluated the information contained therein. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the 

system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information contained is, to the 

best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I have no personal knowledge that the 

information submitted is other than true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties 

for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations. 

_________________________________

Signature and Date

V. Annual Inspections by Year

A. 2014

I certify that I have completed an annual inspection for 2014 in accordance with Part 4.1.3 of the VGP. 

_________________________________

Signature and Date

B. 2015

I certify that I have completed an annual inspection for 2015 in accordance with Part 4.1.3 of the VGP. 

_________________________________

Signature and Date

C. 2016

I certify that I have completed an annual inspection for 2016 in accordance with Part 4.1.3 of the VGP. 

_________________________________

Signature and Date

D. 2017

I certify that I have completed an annual inspection for 2017 in accordance with Part 4.1.3 of the VGP. 

_________________________________

Signature and Date

E. 2018

I certify that I have completed an annual inspection for 2018 in accordance with Part 4.1.3 of the VGP. 

_________________________________

Signature and Date