Posted:
February 25, 2011
The Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding stipulating that the agencies will jointly implement and enforce regulations on vessel discharge streams falling under the Vessel General Permit (VGP).
The regulations, implemented in February 2009, prohibit vessels from discharging any pollutant into domestic waters unless authorized to do so in accordance with the permit. The VGP covers 26 separate discharges, including ballast water, gray water, bilge water, deck runoff and engine cooling water, and affects more than 61,000 U.S.-flagged commercial vessels and more than 8,000 foreign vessels operating in U.S. waters.
These regulations have remained largely unenforced since their implementation.
Under the MOU, the Coast Guard has agreed to incorporate into its existing inspection regime procedures to verify compliance with the VGP for domestic and foreign vessels.
The new enforcement regime is expected to directly affect U.S. mariners and ship operating companies, and may add to the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection process.
Coast Guard, EPA to jointly enforce Vessel General Permit requirements
The Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding stipulating that the agencies will jointly implement and enforce regulations on vessel discharge streams falling under the Vessel General Permit (VGP).
The regulations, implemented in February 2009, prohibit vessels from discharging any pollutant into domestic waters unless authorized to do so in accordance with the permit. The VGP covers 26 separate discharges, including ballast water, gray water, bilge water, deck runoff and engine cooling water, and affects more than 61,000 U.S.-flagged commercial vessels and more than 8,000 foreign vessels operating in U.S. waters.
These regulations have remained largely unenforced since their implementation.
Under the MOU, the Coast Guard has agreed to incorporate into its existing inspection regime procedures to verify compliance with the VGP for domestic and foreign vessels.
The new enforcement regime is expected to directly affect U.S. mariners and ship operating companies, and may add to the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection process.