33 CFR 155.320: Fuel and lubricating oil tank discharge containment
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets containment rules for fuel oil and bulk lubricating oil tank vents, overflows and fill pipes. Ships of 300 gross tons or more built after June 30, 1974 must have fixed containers or enclosed deck areas. Smaller or older ships of 100 gross tons or more have alternatives, and drilling rigs and other platforms are excluded.
Applies toShips of 100 gross tons or more, as set out in paragraphs (a) and (b), but not a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform.
What it says
A ship of 300 gross tons or more constructed after June 30, 1974 must have a fixed container or enclosed deck area under or around each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe.
33 CFR 155.320(a)“A ship of 300 gross tons or more constructed after June 30, 1974 must have a fixed container or enclosed deck area under or around each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe, that:”
For a ship of 300 or more but less than 1600 gross tons, the container or enclosed deck area must have a capacity of at least one-half barrel.
33 CFR 155.320(a)(1)“For a ship of 300 or more but less than 1600 gross tons has a capacity of at least one-half barrel; and”
For a ship of 1600 or more gross tons, the container or enclosed deck area must have a capacity of one barrel.
33 CFR 155.320(a)(2)“For a ship of 1600 or more gross tons has a capacity of one barrel.”
A ship of 100 gross tons or more constructed before July 1, 1974, and a ship of 100 or more but less than 300 gross tons constructed after June 30, 1974, must meet paragraph (a)(1), or use the portable container option in paragraph (b)(2), or use the nozzle option in paragraph (b)(3) where it applies.
33 CFR 155.320(b)(1)“Meet paragraph (a)(1) of this section; or”
As one alternative, those ships must equip each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe during oil transfer operations with a portable container of at least a 5 U.S. gallon capacity.
33 CFR 155.320(b)(2)“Equip each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe during oil transfer operations with a portable container of at least a 5 U.S. gallon capacity; or”
As another alternative, if one of those ships has a fill fitting for which containment is impractical, it must use an automatic back pressure shut-off nozzle.
33 CFR 155.320(b)(3)“If the ship has a fill fitting for which containment is impractical, use an automatic back pressure shut-off nozzle.”
This section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform.
33 CFR 155.320(c)“This section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform.”
Common questions
How much containment capacity does a ship of 1600 or more gross tons need?
A ship of 1600 or more gross tons constructed after June 30, 1974 must have a fixed container or enclosed deck area with a capacity of one barrel.
“For a ship of 1600 or more gross tons has a capacity of one barrel.”
What are the options for older ships of 100 gross tons or more?
A ship of 100 gross tons or more constructed before July 1, 1974 must meet paragraph (a)(1), or use a portable container of at least a 5 U.S. gallon capacity, or use an automatic back pressure shut-off nozzle if it has a fill fitting for which containment is impractical.
“Equip each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe during oil transfer operations with a portable container of at least a 5 U.S. gallon capacity; or”
Do drilling rigs have to follow the fuel oil discharge containment rule?
No. The section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform.
“This section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform.”
The text of 33 CFR 155.320
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Fuel oil and bulk lubricating oil discharge containment
(a) A ship of 300 gross tons or more constructed after June 30, 1974 must have a fixed container or enclosed deck area under or around each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe, that:
(1) For a ship of 300 or more but less than 1600 gross tons has a capacity of at least one-half barrel; and
(2) For a ship of 1600 or more gross tons has a capacity of one barrel.
(b) A ship of 100 gross tons or more constructed before July 1, 1974, and a ship of 100 or more but less than 300 gross tons constructed after June 30, 1974 must:
(1) Meet paragraph (a)(1) of this section; or
(2) Equip each fuel oil or bulk lubricating oil tank vent, overflow, and fill pipe during oil transfer operations with a portable container of at least a 5 U.S. gallon capacity; or
(3) If the ship has a fill fitting for which containment is impractical, use an automatic back pressure shut-off nozzle.
(c) This section does not apply to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform.
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.