33 CFR 155.210: Spill removal equipment on smaller tankers and barges
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers equipment for on-deck oil spills on oil tankers and offshore oil barges less than 400 feet long. These vessels must carry appropriate equipment and supplies, including the items listed in the section. The equipment must stay ready for immediate use during cargo transfer operations.
Applies toOil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of less than 400 feet.
What it says
Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of less than 400 feet must carry appropriate equipment and supplies to contain and remove on-deck oil spills of at least 7 barrels.
33 CFR 155.210(a)“must carry appropriate equipment and supplies for the containment and removal of on-deck oil spills of at least 7 barrels”
The equipment and supplies must include sorbents.
33 CFR 155.210(b)“The equipment and supplies must include—”
The equipment and supplies must include non-sparking hand scoops, shovels, and buckets.
33 CFR 155.210(b)(2)“Non-sparking hand scoops, shovels, and buckets;”
The equipment and supplies must include containers suitable for holding recovered waste.
33 CFR 155.210(b)(3)“Containers suitable for holding recovered waste;”
The equipment and supplies must include a minimum of one non-sparking portable pump with hoses.
33 CFR 155.210(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 155.210(c)“During cargo transfer operations, the equipment and supplies must remain ready for immediate use.”
Common questions
Which vessels must carry on-deck oil spill equipment under 33 CFR 155.210?
Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of less than 400 feet must carry it.
“Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of less than 400 feet must carry”
Do scupper plugs have to be carried on smaller tankers and barges?
Yes. The required equipment and supplies must include scupper plugs.
“The equipment and supplies must include—”
When must 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 155.210
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Discharge removal equipment for vessels less than 400 feet in length
(a) Oil tankers and offshore oil barges with an overall length of less than 400 feet must carry appropriate equipment and supplies for the containment and removal of on-deck oil spills of at least 7 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.