33 CFR 151.61: Coast Guard inspection for garbage compliance
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section says a ship in the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone is subject to inspection by the Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency. The inspection checks garbage discharge compliance, grinders or comminuters, recordkeeping, the garbage management plan and placards.
Applies toA ship within the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone.
What it says
A ship in the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone is subject to inspection by the Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency.
“While within the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone, a ship is subject to inspection by the Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency”
Inspectors check whether the ship has operated in accordance with these regulations and has not discharged plastics or other garbage in violation of the Act or Annex V of MARPOL.
33 CFR 151.61(a)“The ship has been operating in accordance with these regulations and has not discharged plastics or other garbage in violation of the provisions of the Act or Annex V of MARPOL;”
Inspectors check whether grinders or comminuters used for discharge between 3 and 12 nautical miles from nearest land can reduce garbage to pass through a screen with openings no greater than 25 millimeters (one inch).
33 CFR 151.61(b)“Grinders or comminuters used for the discharge of garbage between 3 and 12 nautical miles from nearest land are capable of reducing the size of garbage”
Inspectors check whether recordkeeping information, when required under § 151.55, is properly and accurately logged.
33 CFR 151.61(c)“Information for recordkeeping requirements, when required under § 151.55, is properly and accurately logged;”
Inspectors check whether a garbage management plan, when required under § 151.57, is on board and whether the ship's condition, equipment and operational procedures meet the plan.
33 CFR 151.61(d)“A garbage management plan, when required under § 151.57, is on board and that the condition of the ship, equipment and operational procedures of the ship meet the plan; and”
Inspectors check whether placards, when required by § 151.59, are posted on board.
33 CFR 151.61(e)“Placards, when required by § 151.59, are posted on board.”
Common questions
Who can inspect my ship for garbage compliance?
The Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency may inspect a ship in the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone.
“a ship is subject to inspection by the Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency”
Can inspectors check my garbage management plan?
Yes. They check whether a plan, when required under § 151.57, is on board and whether the ship's condition, equipment and procedures meet it.
“A garbage management plan, when required under § 151.57, is on board and that the condition of the ship, equipment and operational procedures of the ship meet the plan; and”
Do garbage placards get inspected?
Yes. Inspectors check whether placards, when required by § 151.59, are posted on board.
“Placards, when required by § 151.59, are posted on board.”
The text of 33 CFR 151.61
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Inspection for compliance and enforcement
While within the navigable waters of the United States or the Exclusive Economic Zone, a ship is subject to inspection by the Coast Guard or other authorized federal agency to determine if—
(a) The ship has been operating in accordance with these regulations and has not discharged plastics or other garbage in violation of the provisions of the Act or Annex V of MARPOL;
(b) Grinders or comminuters used for the discharge of garbage between 3 and 12 nautical miles from nearest land are capable of reducing the size of garbage so that it will pass through a screen with openings no greater than 25 millimeters (one inch);
(c) Information for recordkeeping requirements, when required under § 151.55, is properly and accurately logged;
(d) A garbage management plan, when required under § 151.57, is on board and that the condition of the ship, equipment and operational procedures of the ship meet the plan; and
(e) Placards, when required by § 151.59, are posted on board.
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.