33 CFR 151.30: Applicability of ship pollution prevention rules

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says which ships are covered by §§ 151.30 through 151.49. It covers certain ships operated under U.S. authority and ships of other countries in U.S. navigable waters or at U.S. ports or terminals. Paragraph (b) lists ships that are not covered.

Applies toSections 151.30 through 151.49 apply to ships described in paragraph (a), except the ships listed in paragraph (b).

What it says

  1. Except for the ships excluded in paragraph (b), §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to a ship operated under U.S. authority that engages in international voyages.

    33 CFR 151.30(a)(1)“Is operated under the authority of the United States and engages in international voyages;”

  2. Except for the ships excluded in paragraph (b), §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to a ship operated under U.S. authority that is certificated for ocean service.

    33 CFR 151.30(a)(2)“Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for ocean service;”

  3. Except for the ships excluded in paragraph (b), §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to a ship operated under U.S. authority that is certificated for coastwise service beyond three nautical miles from land.

    33 CFR 151.30(a)(3)“Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for coastwise service beyond three nautical miles from land;”

  4. Except for the ships excluded in paragraph (b), §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to a ship operated under U.S. authority that operates at any time seaward of the outermost boundary of the U.S. territorial sea as defined in § 2.22 of this chapter.

    33 CFR 151.30(a)(4)“Is operated under the authority of the United States and operates at any time seaward of the outermost boundary of the territorial sea of the United States as defined in § 2.22 of this chapter; or”

  5. Except for the ships excluded in paragraph (b), §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to a ship operated under the authority of another country while in the navigable waters of the United States or at a port or terminal under U.S. jurisdiction.

    33 CFR 151.30(a)(5)“Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters of the United States, or while at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States.”

  6. Sections 151.30 through 151.49 do not apply to a warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service.

    33 CFR 151.30(b)(2)“A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service;”

  7. Sections 151.30 through 151.49 do not apply to a Canadian or U.S. ship operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their connecting and tributary waters.

    33 CFR 151.30(b)(3)“A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their connecting and tributary waters;”

Common questions

Do the rules in 33 CFR 151.30 through 151.49 apply to foreign ships?

Yes. They apply to a ship operated under another country's authority while it is in the navigable waters of the United States or at a U.S. port or terminal, unless paragraph (b) excludes it.

“Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters of the United States, or while at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States.”

Are warships covered by 33 CFR 151.30?

No. Sections 151.30 through 151.49 do not apply to a warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service.

“A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service;”

Do these rules apply to ships that operate only on the Great Lakes?

No. They do not apply to a Canadian or U.S. ship operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their connecting and tributary waters.

“A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their connecting and tributary waters;”

Where is the term internal waters defined for 33 CFR 151.30?

The note to paragraph (b)(4) says the term "internal waters" is defined in § 2.24 of this chapter.

“The term “internal waters” is defined in § 2.24 of this chapter.”

The text of 33 CFR 151.30

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

Applicability

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to each ship that—

(1) Is operated under the authority of the United States and engages in international voyages;

(2) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for ocean service;

(3) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for coastwise service beyond three nautical miles from land;

(4) Is operated under the authority of the United States and operates at any time seaward of the outermost boundary of the territorial sea of the United States as defined in § 2.22 of this chapter; or

(5) Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters of the United States, or while at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(b) Sections 151.30 through 151.49 do not apply to—

(1) A tank barge whose certificate is endorsed by the Coast Guard for a limited short protected coastwise route if the barge is constructed and certificated primarily for service on an inland route;

(2) A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service;

(3) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their connecting and tributary waters;

(4) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the internal waters of the United States and Canada; or

(5) Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL 73/78.

Note to § 151.30 (b)(4): The term “internal waters” is defined in § 2.24 of this chapter.

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.