33 CFR 151.1006: Definitions for pollution prevention subpart

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section defines four terms used in this subpart: coastal waters, municipal and commercial waste, public vessel, and vessel. The definitions set the geographic and vessel scope and say which wastes count as municipal and commercial waste.

Applies toThe definitions apply to terms as used in this subpart.

What it says

  1. Coastal waters include the territorial sea of the United States and the Great Lakes and their connecting waters.

    33 CFR 151.1006(1)“(1) The territorial sea of the United States; (2) The Great Lakes and their connecting waters;”

  2. Coastal waters also include the marine and estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal influence.

    33 CFR 151.1006(3)“The marine and estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal influence; and”

  3. Coastal waters include the Exclusive Economic Zone as established by Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.

    33 CFR 151.1006(4)“The Exclusive Economic Zone as established by Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.”

  4. Municipal and commercial waste means solid waste as defined in section 1004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6903), except for the listed items.

    “Municipal and commercial waste means solid waste as defined in section 1004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6903) except—”

  5. Waste generated by a vessel during normal operations is excluded from municipal and commercial waste.

    33 CFR 151.1006(2)“Waste generated by a vessel during normal operations;”

  6. A public vessel is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government or a foreign government, and is not engaged in commercial service.

    33 CFR 151.1006(1)“Is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government or a government of a foreign country; and”

  7. A vessel is every description of watercraft or other artifical contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.

    “Vessel means every description of watercraft or other artifical contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.”

Common questions

What counts as coastal waters under this subpart?

Coastal waters include the territorial sea of the United States, the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, marine and estuarine waters up to the head of tidal influence, and the Exclusive Economic Zone.

“The marine and estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal influence; and”

How far does the Exclusive Economic Zone extend?

The note says it extends from the baseline of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 miles.

“The Exclusive Economic Zone extends from the baseline of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 miles.”

What is a public vessel?

A public vessel is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government or a foreign government. It is not engaged in commercial service.

“Is not engaged in commercial service.”

Is waste generated by a vessel municipal and commercial waste?

Waste generated by a vessel during normal operations is excluded from the definition of municipal and commercial waste.

“Waste generated by a vessel during normal operations;”

The text of 33 CFR 151.1006

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Definitions

As used in this subpart—

Coastal waters means—

(1) The territorial sea of the United States;

(2) The Great Lakes and their connecting waters;

(3) The marine and estuarine waters of the United States up to the head of tidal influence; and

(4) The Exclusive Economic Zone as established by Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.

Note: The Exclusive Economic Zone extends from the baseline of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 miles.

Municipal and commercial waste means solid waste as defined in section 1004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6903) except—

(1) Solid waste identified and listed under section 3001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921);

(2) Waste generated by a vessel during normal operations;

(3) Debris solely from construction activities;

(4) Sewage sludge subject to regulation under title I of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.); and

(5) Dredge or fill material subject to regulation under title I of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), or the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.).

Public vessel means a vessel that—

(1) Is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government or a government of a foreign country; and

(2) Is not engaged in commercial service.

Vessel means every description of watercraft or other artifical contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.