33 CFR 151.28: Review and revision of shipboard oil pollution plans
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets out how owners or operators review, amend and resubmit the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan. They must certify an annual review, resubmit the whole plan before the approval period ends, and get prior Coast Guard approval for most revisions.
Applies toAn owner or operator of a ship to which this subpart applies.
What it says
The owner or operator must review the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan annually and submit a letter to Commandant (CG-MER) certifying that the review is complete.
33 CFR 151.28(a)“must review the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan annually and submit a letter to Commandant (CG-MER) certifying that the review has been completed.”
The annual review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval of the plan.
33 CFR 151.28(a)“This review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval of the plan.”
The owner or operator shall submit any plan amendments to Commandant (CG-MER) for information or approval.
33 CFR 151.28(b)“The owner or operator shall submit any plan amendments to Commandant (CG-MER) for information or approval.”
The entire plan must be resubmitted to Commandant (CG-MER) for reapproval 6 months before the end of the Coast Guard approval period identified in § 151.27(e) of this subpart.
33 CFR 151.28(c)“The entire plan must be resubmitted to Commandant (CG-MER) for reapproval 6 months before the end of the Coast Guard approval period identified in § 151.27(e) of this subpart.”
A record of the annual review and changes to the plan must be kept in the last appendix of section six of the plan.
33 CFR 151.28(d)“A record of annual review and changes to the plan must be maintained in the last appendix of section six of the plan.”
Except as provided in paragraph (f), revisions must receive prior Coast Guard approval before they can be incorporated into the plan.
33 CFR 151.28(e)“revisions must receive prior approval by the Coast Guard before they can be incorporated into the plan.”
Revisions to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require Coast Guard approval, but the Coast Guard shall be advised and given a copy as they occur.
33 CFR 151.28(f)“Revisions to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require approval by the Coast Guard.”
Plans, including revisions, should be submitted electronically through the Vessel Response Plan Electronic Submission Tool for registered users, or by mail or email as the text lists.
33 CFR 151.28(g)“Plans, including revisions, should be submitted electronically by using the Vessel Response Plan Electronic Submission Tool”
Common questions
How often must the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan be reviewed?
The owner or operator must review the plan annually. The review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval of the plan.
“This review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval of the plan.”
Do all plan revisions need Coast Guard approval?
No. Revisions to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require approval, but the Coast Guard shall be advised and provided a copy as they occur.
“The Coast Guard shall be advised and provided a copy of the revisions as they occur.”
Where do I keep the record of the annual plan review?
The record of annual review and changes must be maintained in the last appendix of section six of the plan.
“A record of annual review and changes to the plan must be maintained in the last appendix of section six of the plan.”
The text of 33 CFR 151.28
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Plan review and revision
(a) An owner or operator of a ship to which this subpart applies must review the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan annually and submit a letter to Commandant (CG-MER) certifying that the review has been completed. This review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval of the plan.
(b) The owner or operator shall submit any plan amendments to Commandant (CG-MER) for information or approval.
(c) The entire plan must be resubmitted to Commandant (CG-MER) for reapproval 6 months before the end of the Coast Guard approval period identified in § 151.27(e) of this subpart.
(d) A record of annual review and changes to the plan must be maintained in the last appendix of section six of the plan.
(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, revisions must receive prior approval by the Coast Guard before they can be incorporated into the plan.
(f) Revisions to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require approval by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard shall be advised and provided a copy of the revisions as they occur.
(g) Plans, including revisions, should be submitted electronically by using the Vessel Response Plan Electronic Submission Tool available at https://vrp.uscg.mil/homeport-vrp/vrp-express/ for registered users or by mail to Commandant (CG-MER), Attn: Vessel Response Plans, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7516, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20593-7516 or by email to vrp@uscg.mil.
Sections it refers to
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.