33 CFR 151.1021: Appeals of Coast Guard actions

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets a person directly affected by an action under this subpart ask for reconsideration and then appeal in writing. The appeal goes to the Commandant (CG-5P) within 30 days after the ruling. The final ruling is final agency action.

Applies toAny person directly affected by an action taken under this subpart.

What it says

  1. Any person directly affected by an action taken under this subpart may ask the responsible Coast Guard officer to reconsider that action.

    33 CFR 151.1021(a)“Any person directly affected by an action taken under this subpart may request reconsideration by the Coast Guard officer responsible for that action.”

  2. A person who is not satisfied with a ruling after reconsideration may appeal that ruling in writing within 30 days after the ruling to the Commandant (CG-5P), at the address the text gives.

    33 CFR 151.1021(b)(1)“Appeal that ruling in writing within 30 days after the ruling to the Commandant (CG-5P), Attn: Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy”

  3. The person appealing may supply supporting documentation and evidence that the appellant wants considered.

    33 CFR 151.1021(b)(2)“Supply supporting documentation and evidence that the appellant wishes to have considered.”

  4. After reviewing the appeal, the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection issues a ruling, and that ruling is final agency action.

    33 CFR 151.1021(c)“the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection issues a ruling which is final agency action.”

  5. If delay in presenting a written appeal adversely affects the appellant's operations, the appeal may be presented orally.

    33 CFR 151.1021(d)“If the delay in presenting a written appeal has an adverse impact on the operations of the appellent, the appeal under paragraph (b) of this section—”

  6. An oral appeal must be submitted in writing within five days after the oral presentation, to the same Coast Guard official who heard it.

    33 CFR 151.1021(d)(2)(ii)“To the same Coast Guard official who heard the oral presentation.”

Common questions

How long do I have to appeal a Coast Guard ruling under this subpart?

You must appeal in writing within 30 days after the ruling. The appeal goes to the Commandant (CG-5P).

“Appeal that ruling in writing within 30 days after the ruling to the Commandant (CG-5P), Attn: Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy”

Can I make an appeal orally?

Yes, but only if delay in presenting a written appeal has an adverse impact on the appellant's operations. The appeal must then be put in writing within five days after the oral presentation.

“If the delay in presenting a written appeal has an adverse impact on the operations of the appellent, the appeal under paragraph (b) of this section—”

Is the ruling on an appeal final?

Yes. The ruling the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection issues after reviewing the appeal is final agency action.

“the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection issues a ruling which is final agency action.”

The text of 33 CFR 151.1021

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

Appeals

(a) Any person directly affected by an action taken under this subpart may request reconsideration by the Coast Guard officer responsible for that action.

(b) The person affected who is not satisfied with a ruling after having it reconsidered under paragraph (a) of this section may—

(1) Appeal that ruling in writing within 30 days after the ruling to the Commandant (CG-5P), Attn: Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7501, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7501; and

(2) Supply supporting documentation and evidence that the appellant wishes to have considered.

(c) After reviewing the appeal submitted under paragraph (b) of this section, the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection issues a ruling which is final agency action.

(d) If the delay in presenting a written appeal has an adverse impact on the operations of the appellent, the appeal under paragraph (b) of this section—

(1) May be presented orally; and

(2) Must be submitted in writing within five days after the oral presentation—

(i) With the basis for the appeal and a summary of the material presented orally; and

(ii) To the same Coast Guard official who heard the oral presentation.

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.