33 CFR 155.205: Deck oil spill equipment on large tankers
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires large oil tankers and offshore oil barges to carry equipment and supplies for on-deck oil cargo spills. It lists the items that must be included. The equipment must stay ready for immediate use during cargo transfer operations.
Applies toOil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of 400 feet or more.
What it says
Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of 400 feet or more must carry appropriate equipment and supplies to contain and remove on-deck oil cargo spills of at least 12 barrels.
33 CFR 155.205(a)“must carry appropriate equipment and supplies for the containment and removal of on-deck oil cargo spills of at least 12 barrels”
The required equipment and supplies must include sorbents.
33 CFR 155.205(b)“The equipment and supplies must include—”
The equipment and supplies must include non-sparking hand scoops, shovels, and buckets.
33 CFR 155.205(b)(2)“Non-sparking hand scoops, shovels, and buckets;”
The equipment and supplies must include emulsifiers for deck cleaning.
33 CFR 155.205(b)(4)“Emulsifiers for deck cleaning;”
The equipment and supplies must include a minimum of one non-sparking portable pump with hoses.
33 CFR 155.205(b)(6)“A minimum of one non-sparking portable pump with hoses; and”
During cargo transfer operations, the equipment and supplies must remain ready for immediate use.
33 CFR 155.205(c)“During cargo transfer operations, the equipment and supplies must remain ready for immediate use.”
Common questions
What vessels must carry deck oil spill removal equipment?
Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of 400 feet or more must carry it.
“Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of 400 feet or more must carry appropriate equipment”
Do I need scupper plugs on a tanker over 400 feet?
Yes. The listed equipment and supplies must include scupper plugs.
“The equipment and supplies must include—”
When must deck spill equipment be ready for use?
During cargo transfer operations, the equipment and supplies must remain ready for immediate use.
“During cargo transfer operations, the equipment and supplies must remain ready for immediate use.”
The text of 33 CFR 155.205
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Discharge removal equipment for vessels 400 feet or greater in length
(a) Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of 400 feet or more must carry appropriate equipment and supplies for the containment and removal of on-deck oil cargo spills of at least 12 barrels.
(b) The equipment and supplies must include—
(1) Sorbents;
(2) Non-sparking hand scoops, shovels, and buckets;
(3) Containers suitable for holding recovered waste;
(4) Emulsifiers for deck cleaning;
(5) Protective clothing;
(6) A minimum of one non-sparking portable pump with hoses; and
(7) Scupper plugs.
(c) During cargo transfer operations, the equipment and supplies must remain ready for immediate use.
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.