Interim Rule & Comments On MARPOL Annex V Amendments

Feb 28: The U.S. Coast Guard published an interim rule [78 FR 13481-13493] with a request for comments to conform regulations to the adopted MARPOL Annex V amendments which entered into force on January 1, 2013. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V (Garbage) amendments prohibiting the discharge of garbage from vessels unless expressly allowed were adopted by the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environmental Protection Committee in July 2011 and implemented domestically through the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS). Under this rule, the only allowed
discharges will be certain food wastes, cargo residues, cleaning agents and additives in wash waters, and animal carcasses. The interim rule is effective April 1, 2013, and comments and related material must be submitted on or before May 29, 2013.

 

    MARPOL applies to the oceangoing vessels of all signatory flag administrations. Domestically, APPS requires all vessels subject to MARPOL to be in compliance with its provisions while in U.S. navigable waters. APPS goes further and specifically applies the provisions of Annex V to U.S. navigable waters as well as all other waters and vessels over which the United States has jurisdiction, including U.S. vessels in U.S. internal waters. With some exceptions, the discharge of all garbage into the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters is prohibited.

 

    Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the docket to submit and review comments (click here). [GLakes/MARPOL]

 

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