33 CFR 155.200: Definitions for oil transfer operations subpart
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section defines five terms used in this subpart: inland oil barge, on-deck spill, offshore oil barge, oil tanker, and vessel carrying oil as secondary cargo. It sets out which vessels and discharges each term covers.
Applies toThe definitions apply as used in this subpart.
What it says
An inland oil barge is a tank barge that carries oil in bulk as cargo and is certificated by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter D for river or canal service or lakes, bays, and sounds service.
“Inland oil barge means a tank barge carrying oil in bulk as cargo certificated by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter D for river or canal service or lakes, bays, and sounds service.”
An on-deck spill is a discharge of oil on the deck of a vessel during loading, unloading, transfer, or other shipboard operations.
“On-deck spill means a discharge of oil on the deck of a vessel during loading, unloading, transfer, or other shipboard operations.”
The term on-deck spill separates operational discharges from discharges caused by collision or grounding where the hull is punctured and a tank is ruptured.
“The term on-deck spill is used to differentiate these operational discharges from those caused by collision or grounding”
An offshore oil barge includes any tank barge in Great Lakes service and any foreign flag tank barge.
“any tank barge in Great Lakes service; or any foreign flag tank barge.”
An oil tanker is a self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo, including integrated tug-barges designed for push-mode operation.
“Oil tanker means a self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo, including integrated tug-barges designed for push-mode operation.”
A vessel carrying oil as secondary cargo includes any uninspected vessel that carries oil in bulk as cargo.
“or any uninspected vessel that carries oil in bulk as cargo.”
Common questions
What is an on-deck spill?
An on-deck spill is a discharge of oil on the deck of a vessel during loading, unloading, transfer, or other shipboard operations.
“On-deck spill means a discharge of oil on the deck of a vessel during loading, unloading, transfer, or other shipboard operations.”
What is an oil tanker under this subpart?
An oil tanker is a self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo. It includes integrated tug-barges designed for push-mode operation.
“Oil tanker means a self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo, including integrated tug-barges designed for push-mode operation.”
Is a foreign flag tank barge an offshore oil barge?
Yes. The definition of offshore oil barge includes any foreign flag tank barge.
“any tank barge in Great Lakes service; or any foreign flag tank barge.”
The text of 33 CFR 155.200
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Definitions
As used in this subpart:
Inland oil barge means a tank barge carrying oil in bulk as cargo certificated by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter D for river or canal service or lakes, bays, and sounds service.
On-deck spill means a discharge of oil on the deck of a vessel during loading, unloading, transfer, or other shipboard operations. An on-deck spill could result from a leaking fitting, an overfill, a bad connection, or similar operational mishap. The term on-deck spill is used to differentiate these operational discharges from those caused by collision or grounding where the hull is punctured and a tank is ruptured, resulting in an uncontrolled discharge of oil into the marine environment.
Offshore oil barge means a tank barge carrying oil in bulk as cargo, including dual-mode integrated tug-barges, certificated by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter D, for navigation in waters outside the Boundary Lines, as defined in 46 CFR part 7, in any ocean or the Gulf of America; any tank barge in Great Lakes service; or any foreign flag tank barge.
Oil tanker means a self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo, including integrated tug-barges designed for push-mode operation.
Vessel carrying oil as secondary cargo means a vessel carrying oil pursuant to a permit issued under 46 CFR 30.01-5, 46 CFR 70.05-30, or 46 CFR 90.05-35 or pursuant to an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) or Noxious Liquid Substance (NLS) certificate required by § 151.33 or § 151.35 of this chapter; or any uninspected vessel that carries oil in bulk as cargo.
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.