Pollution Regulations
Pollution Overview
Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 prohibits throwing, discharging, or depositing any refuse matter of any kind (including trash, garbage, oil, and other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States.
The Federal Water Pollution Control act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances that maybe harmful into U.S. navigable waters. Vessels 26 feet and greater in length, with machinery spaces, must display a placard at least 5 by 8 inches, made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces, or at the bilge pump control station.
Any vessel, meeting the above criteria, must display a placard stating the following:
Pollution Reporting & Control Act
Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propulsion machinery to have a capacity to retain oily mixtures on board and be equipped with a fixed or portable means to discharge these oily mixtures to a reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket, oil absorbent pads, and heavy-duty plastic bag, bailer, or portable pump are some of the suitable means that meet the requirement of retention on board until transferring the oily mixture to a reception facility. No person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source into the bilge of any vessel. You must immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard if your vessel discharges oil ir hazardous substances in the water. Call the Coast Guard National Response Center toll-free (800) 824-8802 or (202) 267-2675.
Report the following information:
- Location of the incident.
- Size/quantity (estimated amount of material released).
- Description, color, consistency, odor.
- Date and time observed.
- Source and cause of the release, if known
- Substance, if known.
- Weather and any other information that may help emergency personnel respond to the incident.
Discharge of Garbage
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL ANNEX V) places limitations on the discharge of garbage from vessels. It is illegal to dump plastic trash anywhere in the ocean or navigable waters of the United States. It is also illegal to discharge garbage in the navigable waters of the United States, including the inland waters and anywhere in the Great Lakes. The discharge of other types of garbage is permitted outside of specific distances offshore as determined by the nature of that garbage (See Chart Below).
United States vessels of 26 feet or longer must display in a prominent location, a durable placard at least 4 by 9 inches notifying the new crew and passengers of the discharge restriction.
Note: state and local alws may place further restrictions on the disposal of garbage
United States ocean-going vessels of 40 feet or longer that are engaged in commerce or equipped with a galley and berthing must have a written waste management plan describing the procedures for collecting, processing, storing, and discharging garbage, and must designate the person in charge of carrying out the plan.(Click Here to Download a Basic Waste Management Plan)