33 CFR 155.5015: Applicability of nontank vessel response plan rules

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says which vessels this subpart covers. It applies to self-propelled vessels that carry oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion, are not tank vessels or not certificated as tank vessels, operate on U.S. navigable waters, and are 400 gross tons or more. It also lists vessels that this subpart does not apply to.

Applies toEach self-propelled vessel that meets the four conditions in paragraph (a), except the vessels listed in paragraph (d).

What it says

  1. Except as provided in paragraph (d), this subpart applies to each self-propelled vessel that carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion.

    33 CFR 155.5015(a)(1)“Carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion;”

  2. To be covered, the vessel must also not be a tank vessel or not be certificated as a tank vessel.

    33 CFR 155.5015(a)(2)“Is not a tank vessel or is not certificated as a tank vessel;”

  3. The vessel must operate upon the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101.

    33 CFR 155.5015(a)(3)“Operates upon the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101; and”

  4. The vessel must be 400 gross tons or more, measured under the convention measurement system in 46 U.S.C. 14302, or under the regulatory measurement system of 46 U.S.C. 14502 for vessels not measured under 46 U.S.C. 14302.

    33 CFR 155.5015(a)(4)“Is 400 gross tons or more as measured under the convention measurement system in 46 U.S.C. 14302 or the regulatory measurement system of 46 U.S.C. 14502 for vessels not measured under 46 U.S.C. 14302.”

  5. This subpart also applies to vessels carrying oil as secondary cargo that meet the requirements of paragraph (a).

    33 CFR 155.5015(b)“This subpart also applies to vessels carrying oil as secondary cargo and that meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.”

  6. For Integrated Tug Barge (ITB) units not certificated as tank vessels, the aggregate tonnage of the ITB combination determines applicability.

    33 CFR 155.5015(c)“the tonnage used to determine applicability of these regulations is the aggregate tonnage of the ITB combination”

  7. This subpart does not apply to public vessels, permanently moored craft, inactive vessels, or the other vessel types listed in paragraph (d).

    33 CFR 155.5015(d)“This subpart does not apply to the following types of vessels—”

Common questions

Does this subpart apply to foreign-flag vessels in innocent passage?

No, not when they are engaged in innocent passage through the territorial sea or transit passage through a strait used for international navigation. It does apply if they are bound for or departing from a port or place of the United States.

“Foreign-flag vessels engaged in innocent passage through the territorial sea or transit passage through a strait used for international navigation, unless bound for or departing from a port or place of the United States;”

How is the tonnage of an Integrated Tug Barge unit counted for applicability?

For ITB units not certificated as tank vessels, the aggregate tonnage of the ITB combination is used to determine applicability.

“the tonnage used to determine applicability of these regulations is the aggregate tonnage of the ITB combination”

Does this subpart apply to vessels that carry oil as a primary cargo?

No, not when they are required to submit a vessel response plan (VRP) in accordance with 33 CFR part 155, subpart D.

“Vessels that carry oil as a primary cargo and are required to submit a vessel response plan (VRP) in accordance with 33 CFR part 155, subpart D;”

The text of 33 CFR 155.5015

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

Applicability

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, this subpart applies to each self-propelled vessel that—

(1) Carries oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion;

(2) Is not a tank vessel or is not certificated as a tank vessel;

(3) Operates upon the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101; and

(4) Is 400 gross tons or more as measured under the convention measurement system in 46 U.S.C. 14302 or the regulatory measurement system of 46 U.S.C. 14502 for vessels not measured under 46 U.S.C. 14302.

(b) This subpart also applies to vessels carrying oil as secondary cargo and that meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) For Integrated Tug Barge (ITB) units that are not certificated as tank vessels, the tonnage used to determine applicability of these regulations is the aggregate tonnage of the ITB combination, and the oil capacity used to determine the worst case discharge volume is the aggregate oil capacity of the ITB combination.

(d) This subpart does not apply to the following types of vessels—

(1) Public vessels;

(2) Foreign-flag vessels engaged in innocent passage through the territorial sea or transit passage through a strait used for international navigation, unless bound for or departing from a port or place of the United States;

(3) Vessels that carry oil as a primary cargo and are required to submit a vessel response plan (VRP) in accordance with 33 CFR part 155, subpart D;

(4) Vessels constructed or operated in such a manner that no oil in any form can be carried onboard as fuel for propulsion or cargo;

(5) Permanently moored craft; and

(6) Inactive vessels.

Note to § 155.5015: VRP requirements for tank vessels are found in subpart D of this part.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 U.S.C. 2101
  • 46 U.S.C. 14302
  • 46 U.S.C. 14502
  • 33 CFR part 155, subpart D

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.