33 CFR 151.73: Garbage discharge from offshore mineral platforms
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section bars garbage discharge from fixed or floating platforms engaged in seabed mineral work, and from any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms. The one exception is food waste processed with a grinder or comminuter meeting the standards in § 151.75 and discharged beyond 12 nautical miles from nearest land.
Applies toIt applies to fixed or floating platforms engaged in exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources, and to any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms.
What it says
Except as paragraph (b) allows, no person may discharge garbage from a fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources, or from any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms.
33 CFR 151.73(a)“Except as allowed in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may discharge garbage from—”
The ban covers a fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources.
33 CFR 151.73(a)(1)“A fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources; or”
The ban also covers any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms.
33 CFR 151.73(a)(2)“Any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms.”
Food waste may be discharged into the surrounding waters from a ship or platform regulated by paragraph (a) if both conditions in paragraph (b) are met.
33 CFR 151.73(b)“Food waste may be discharged into the surrounding waters from a ship or fixed or floating platform regulated by paragraph (a) of this section if—”
The food waste must be processed with a grinder or comminuter that meets the standards in § 151.75.
33 CFR 151.73(b)(1)“It is processed with a grinder or comminuter meeting the standards in § 151.75; and”
The ship or fixed or floating drilling rig or platform must be beyond 12 nautical miles from nearest land.
33 CFR 151.73(b)(2)“That ship or fixed or floating drilling rig or platform is beyond 12 nautical miles from nearest land.”
Common questions
Can I discharge food waste from an offshore platform?
Food waste may be discharged if it is processed with a grinder or comminuter meeting the standards in § 151.75. The ship or platform must also be beyond 12 nautical miles from nearest land.
“Food waste may be discharged into the surrounding waters from a ship or fixed or floating platform regulated by paragraph (a) of this section if—”
How close to a platform can a ship discharge garbage?
No person may discharge garbage from any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms, except food waste meeting the conditions in paragraph (b).
“Any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms.”
Which platforms does the garbage discharge ban cover?
It covers fixed or floating platforms engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources.
“A fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources; or”
The text of 33 CFR 151.73
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage from fixed or floating platforms
(a) Except as allowed in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may discharge garbage from—
(1) A fixed or floating platform engaged in the exploration, exploitation or associated offshore processing of seabed mineral resources; or
(2) Any ship within 500 meters (1650 feet) of such platforms.
(b) Food waste may be discharged into the surrounding waters from a ship or fixed or floating platform regulated by paragraph (a) of this section if—
(1) It is processed with a grinder or comminuter meeting the standards in § 151.75; and
(2) That ship or fixed or floating drilling rig or platform is beyond 12 nautical miles from nearest land.
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.