33 CFR 155.5021: Operating restrictions for nontank vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section limits where and when nontank vessels subject to this subpart may operate. A vessel may not operate on the navigable waters of the United States unless it complies with an approved vessel response plan (VRP). It also may not continue to operate if any listed condition arises.

Applies toNontank vessels subject to this subpart.

What it says

  1. A nontank vessel subject to this subpart may not operate on the navigable waters of the United States unless it complies with a VRP approved under § 155.5065.

    33 CFR 155.5021(a)“Operate upon the navigable waters of the United States unless in compliance with a vessel response plan (VRP) approved under § 155.5065.”

  2. A nontank vessel may not continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States if the Coast Guard determines that the response resources in the vessel's certification statement do not meet the requirements of this subpart.

    33 CFR 155.5021(b)(1)“The Coast Guard determines that the response resources identified in the vessel's certification statement do not meet the requirements of this subpart;”

  3. A nontank vessel may not continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States if the contracts or agreements required in §§ 155.5050 and 155.5052 and the vessel's certification statement are no longer valid.

    33 CFR 155.5021(b)(2)“The contracts or agreements required in §§ 155.5050 and 155.5052 and the vessel's certification statement are no longer valid;”

  4. A nontank vessel may not continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States if it is not operating in compliance with the submitted VRP.

    33 CFR 155.5021(b)(3)“The vessel is not operating in compliance with the submitted VRP; or”

  5. A nontank vessel may not continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States if the period of the VRP authorization has expired.

    33 CFR 155.5021(b)(4)“The period of the VRP authorization has expired.”

Common questions

Can a nontank vessel operate on U.S. navigable waters without an approved VRP?

No. A nontank vessel subject to this subpart may not operate on the navigable waters of the United States unless it complies with a VRP approved under § 155.5065.

“Operate upon the navigable waters of the United States unless in compliance with a vessel response plan (VRP) approved under § 155.5065.”

What happens when a nontank vessel's VRP authorization expires?

The vessel may not continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States once the period of the VRP authorization has expired.

“The period of the VRP authorization has expired.”

What if a nontank vessel's response contracts are no longer valid?

The vessel may not continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States if the required contracts or agreements and the certification statement are no longer valid.

“The contracts or agreements required in §§ 155.5050 and 155.5052 and the vessel's certification statement are no longer valid;”

The text of 33 CFR 155.5021

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

Operating restrictions

Nontank vessels subject to this subpart may not—

(a) Operate upon the navigable waters of the United States unless in compliance with a vessel response plan (VRP) approved under § 155.5065.

(b) Continue to operate on the navigable waters of the United States if—

(1) The Coast Guard determines that the response resources identified in the vessel's certification statement do not meet the requirements of this subpart;

(2) The contracts or agreements required in §§ 155.5050 and 155.5052 and the vessel's certification statement are no longer valid;

(3) The vessel is not operating in compliance with the submitted VRP; or

(4) The period of the VRP authorization has expired.

Sections it refers to

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.