33 CFR 155.130: Exemptions from oil pollution prevention requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets out how the Commandant may grant an exemption or partial exemption from requirements in this part. The operator must send a written request, and the request must show that three conditions are met. Oceangoing ships get narrower treatment for subpart B.

Applies toShip operators who request an exemption from a requirement in this part, and oceangoing ships seeking an exemption from subpart B of this part.

What it says

  1. A ship operator must submit a written request through the COTP or OCMI thirty (30) days before the proposed operations, unless the COTP or OCMI authorizes a shorter time.

    33 CFR 155.130(a)(1)“A ship operator submits a written request for an exemption via the COTP or OCMI thirty (30) days before operations under the exemption are proposed unless the COTP or OCMI authorizes a shorter time”

  2. The request must show that compliance with a specific requirement is economically or physically impractical.

    33 CFR 155.130(a)(2)(i)“Compliance with a specific requirement is economically or physically impractical;”

  3. The request must show that no alternative procedures, methods, or equipment standards exist that would give an equivalent level of protection from pollution.

    33 CFR 155.130(a)(2)(ii)“No alternative procedures, methods, or equipment standards exist that would provide an equivalent level of protection from pollution; and”

  4. The request must show that the likelihood of discharges occurring as a result of the exemption is minimal.

    33 CFR 155.130(a)(2)(iii)“The likelihood of discharges occurring as a result of the exemption is minimal.”

  5. If requested, the applicant must submit any appropriate information, including an environmental and economic assessment.

    33 CFR 155.130(b)“If requested, the applicant must submit any appropriate information, including an environmental and economic assessment of the effects of and the reasons for the exemption”

  6. The exemption may specify the procedures, methods, or equipment standards that will apply.

    33 CFR 155.130(c)“The exemption may specify the procedures, methods, or equipment standards that will apply.”

  7. An oceangoing ship is not given an exemption from subpart B of this part unless it is a hydrofoil, air cushion vehicle or other new type of ship whose constructional features make the construction and equipment provisions of subpart B unreasonable or impractical.

    33 CFR 155.130(d)“An oceangoing ship is not given an exemption from the requirements of subpart B of this part unless the ship is a hydrofoil, air cushion vehicle or other new type of ship”

  8. The Commandant grants or denies an exemption in writing, and the decision is a final agency action.

    33 CFR 155.130(e)“An exemption is granted or denied in writing. The decision of the Commandant is a final agency action.”

Common questions

How early must I request an exemption under 33 CFR 155.130?

The operator must submit a written request via the COTP or OCMI thirty (30) days before proposed operations. The COTP or OCMI may authorize a shorter time.

“A ship operator submits a written request for an exemption via the COTP or OCMI thirty (30) days before operations under the exemption are proposed unless the COTP or OCMI authorizes a shorter time”

Is an exemption decision under 33 CFR 155.130 given in writing?

Yes. An exemption is granted or denied in writing, and the Commandant's decision is a final agency action.

“An exemption is granted or denied in writing. The decision of the Commandant is a final agency action.”

Can an oceangoing ship get an exemption from subpart B?

Not unless the ship is a hydrofoil, air cushion vehicle or other new type of ship whose constructional features make subpart B's construction and equipment provisions unreasonable or impractical.

“An oceangoing ship is not given an exemption from the requirements of subpart B of this part unless the ship is a hydrofoil, air cushion vehicle or other new type of ship”

The text of 33 CFR 155.130

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

Exemptions

(a) The Commandant grants an exemption or partial exemption from compliance with any requirement in this part if:

(1) A ship operator submits a written request for an exemption via the COTP or OCMI thirty (30) days before operations under the exemption are proposed unless the COTP or OCMI authorizes a shorter time; and

(2) It is determined from the request that:

(i) Compliance with a specific requirement is economically or physically impractical;

(ii) No alternative procedures, methods, or equipment standards exist that would provide an equivalent level of protection from pollution; and

(iii) The likelihood of discharges occurring as a result of the exemption is minimal.

(b) If requested, the applicant must submit any appropriate information, including an environmental and economic assessment of the effects of and the reasons for the exemption and proposed procedures, methods, or equipment standards.

(c) The exemption may specify the procedures, methods, or equipment standards that will apply.

(d) An oceangoing ship is not given an exemption from the requirements of subpart B of this part unless the ship is a hydrofoil, air cushion vehicle or other new type of ship (near-surface craft, submarine craft, etc.) whose constructional features are such as to render the application of any of the provisions of subpart B relating to construction and equipment unreasonable or impractical. The construction and equipment of the ship must provide protection equivalent to that afforded by subpart B of this part against pollution, having regard to the service for which the ship is intended.

(e) An exemption is granted or denied in writing. The decision of the Commandant is a final agency action.

Note to § 155.130: Additional exemptions/temporary waivers related to salvage and marine firefighting requirements can be found in § 155.4055.

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.