USCG Policy Letter provides guidance for revised MARPOL Annex V

MARPOL Annex V deals with the prevention of garbage pollution by ships. The US implements MARPOL Annex V by the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Regulations are provided in 33 CFR Part 151 to assist the regulated community in complying with the law. However, 33 CFR Part 151 has not been updated to reflect MARPOL Annex V amendments that took effect January 1, 2013.

The USCG has stated that the lack of updated regulations does not exempt ships from meeting the requirements of MARPOL Annex V. As of January 1, 2013, all US-flag ships and platforms, both fixed and floating, are expected to meet the requirements of the amended MARPOL Annex V. Also, all non-US flagged ships operating in the navigable waters of the US or the Exclusive Economic Zone of the US are expected to meet the same requirements.

The USCG has published CG-CVC Policy Letter 13-01: Interim Guidance for Revised MARPOL Annex V Implementation, intended to act as interim guidance until the regulations in 33 CFR 151 are updated. The document outlines differences between existing US regulations and the amended MARPOL Annex V.

Additionally, the USCG is looking for feedback on an interim rule for the update of 33 CFR Part 151 which will be published in Federal Register 2013-04616 tomorrow.