33 CFR 155.5012: Deviation from approved vessel response plan

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers deviations from an approved vessel response plan (VRP) for nontank vessels. The owner or operator may not deviate from the approved VRP. The one exception is when the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator makes a specific determination.

Applies toThe owner or operator of a nontank vessel required to have a vessel response plan (VRP) under this subpart.

What it says

  1. The owner or operator of a nontank vessel required to have a VRP under this subpart may not deviate from the approved VRP.

    “may not deviate from the approved VRP unless the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines”

  2. A deviation is allowed only if the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines that it would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its environmental effects.

    “the deviation from the VRP would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its environmental effects”

Common questions

Can a nontank vessel owner deviate from its approved VRP?

No, not unless the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines that the deviation would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its environmental effects.

“may not deviate from the approved VRP unless the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines”

Who decides whether a deviation from a vessel response plan is allowed?

The President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator makes the determination that a deviation would provide a more expeditious or effective response.

“unless the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines that the deviation from the VRP would provide for a more expeditious or effective response”

The text of 33 CFR 155.5012

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

Deviation from response plan

The owner or operator of a nontank vessel required to have a vessel response plan (VRP) under this subpart may not deviate from the approved VRP unless the President or Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines that the deviation from the VRP would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its environmental effects.

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.