33 CFR 155.5023: Interim operating authorization pending VRP approval

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets a vessel keep operating for up to 2 years after it submits a vessel response plan (VRP) while the VRP awaits approval. The vessel must have written authorization from the Coast Guard. The owner or operator must certify in writing that private response resources are available.

Applies toVessels that have submitted a vessel response plan (VRP) and have received written authorization from the Coast Guard to continue operating pending approval; paragraph (c) covers nontank vessels temporarily authorized under this section.

What it says

  1. A vessel may keep operating for up to 2 years after it submits a vessel response plan (VRP) while approval is pending, if the Coast Guard has given it written authorization for continued operations.

    33 CFR 155.5023(a)“a vessel may continue to operate for up to 2 years after the date of submission of a vessel response plan (VRP) pending approval of that VRP”

  2. This permission applies despite the requirements of § 155.5021 of this subpart.

    33 CFR 155.5023(a)“Notwithstanding the requirements of § 155.5021 of this subpart”

  3. To get the authorization, the vessel owner or operator must certify in writing to the Coast Guard, with an original or electronic signature.

    33 CFR 155.5023(b)“the vessel owner or operator must certify in writing with an original or electronic signature to the Coast Guard”

  4. The certification must say that the owner or operator has identified private response resources and ensured, by contract or other approved means, that they are available to respond to a worst case discharge or substantial threat of one, to the maximum extent practicable.

    33 CFR 155.5023(b)“has identified and has ensured, by contract or other approved means, the availability of the necessary private response resources”

  5. Nontank vessels temporarily authorized to operate under this section must comply with 33 CFR 155.1070(c), (d), and (e).

    33 CFR 155.5023(c)“Those nontank vessels temporarily authorized to operate under the provisions provided in this section must comply with 33 CFR 155.1070(c), (d), and (e).”

Common questions

How long can a vessel operate while its vessel response plan is awaiting approval?

A vessel may operate for up to 2 years after the date it submits the VRP, if it has written authorization from the Coast Guard.

“a vessel may continue to operate for up to 2 years after the date of submission of a vessel response plan (VRP) pending approval of that VRP”

What must an owner or operator certify to get interim operating authorization?

The owner or operator must certify in writing that they have identified and ensured the availability of necessary private response resources, by contract or other approved means.

“has identified and has ensured, by contract or other approved means, the availability of the necessary private response resources”

What must nontank vessels with interim authorization comply with?

Nontank vessels temporarily authorized under this section must comply with 33 CFR 155.1070(c), (d), and (e).

“Those nontank vessels temporarily authorized to operate under the provisions provided in this section must comply with 33 CFR 155.1070(c), (d), and (e).”

The text of 33 CFR 155.5023

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

Interim operating authorization

(a) Notwithstanding the requirements of § 155.5021 of this subpart, a vessel may continue to operate for up to 2 years after the date of submission of a vessel response plan (VRP) pending approval of that VRP, if the vessel has received written authorization for continued operations from the Coast Guard.

(b) To receive this authorization, the vessel owner or operator must certify in writing with an original or electronic signature to the Coast Guard that the vessel owner or operator has identified and has ensured, by contract or other approved means, the availability of the necessary private response resources to respond, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge or substantial threat of such a discharge from their vessel.

(c) Those nontank vessels temporarily authorized to operate under the provisions provided in this section must comply with 33 CFR 155.1070(c), (d), and (e).

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.