Pollution Prevention Equipment
Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3)
Each Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) cited below is updated annually in a free searchable database available from the Government Publishing Office.
Pollution prevention equipment (PPE) regulations in 46 CFR 162.050 provide for the design, construction, and certification of shipboard equipment that prevents discharge of oil from vessels into the waters of the United States. These regulations are divided into three sections covering acceptance of the laboratories that examine, inspect, and test PPE, certification of equipment, and requirements for a vessel to have such equipment.
Oil Content Meter DECKMA Model OMD-2005 16 Sept 2008
Approval Series: 162.050
Purpose: Laboratories that are in the business of independently evaluating, inspecting, and testing PPE and the effluent discharged from such systems for compliance with published standards may apply to the U.S. Coast Guard for a letter of acceptance as a designated facility under the provisions of 46 CFR 162.050. The standards for acceptance are contained in 46 CFR 162.050-3 with specific application procedures in 162.050-15.
Application Procedures: The application for acceptance should be made in writing, signed by the chief laboratory official, and include all of the required information for a designated facility under 46 CFR 162.050-15. Send the application with supporting documentation to the Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3).
Accepted Laboratories: Laboratories accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard are issued a letter of acceptance that is valid until terminated and are entered into the Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange (CGMIX). This online searchable database is the official listing of all equipment and laboratories that have been accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Contact:
Commandant (CG-ENG-3)
U.S. Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE STOP 7509
Washington, D.C. 20593-7509
Tel: +1 (202) 372-1367
Approval Series: 162.050
Purpose: Manufacturers of marine equipment designed to remove oil from an oil-water mixture and related instruments that measure and record oil content on board a vessel may apply to any designated facility accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for certification of PPE under the provisions of 46 CFR 162.050. The standards for certification, including design, construction, and testing, are also contained in 46 CFR 162.050 with specific application procedures in 162.050-5 and 162.050-7.
Application Procedures: The application for certification should made be in writing, signed by the manufacturer's representative, and include all of the required information under 46 CFR 162.050-5. Send the application with supporting documentation to the Marine Safety Center in Washington DC.
Approved Equipment: PPE certified by the U.S. Coast Guard are issued a Certificate of Approval that is valid for five years and are entered into the Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange (CGMIX). This online searchable database is the official listing of all equipment and laboratories that have been accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Contact:
Marine Safety Center
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, SW
Washington, DC 20593
202-475-3400
The requirement for a vessel to be equipped with PPE vary according to a number of factors including vessel size, type, and location. Some vessels are not required to have PPE if they retain oily waste on board for discharge to a reception facility ashore. For more information, including which vessels must be equipped with PPE, see the oil pollution prevention regulations in 33 CFR Part 155.
Inspected Vessels: In addition to the PPE requirements in 46 CFR 162.050, inspected vessels must also comply with the marine engineering regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter F and the marine electrical regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter J. The U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Approval and device label will both indicate inspected vessel for those devices that meet these additional requirements and therefore are suitable for installation on board inspected vessels.
International Voyages: U.S. vessels on international voyages may be issued an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate to demonstrate compliance with Annex I to MARPOL 73/78. For more information see 33 CFR Part 151.
Contact:
Commandant (CG-ENG-3)
U.S. Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE STOP 7509
Washington, D.C. 20593-7509
Tel: +1 (202) 372-1367
Additional Information:
- Expired certificate.
- The Certificate of Approval is issued by the U.S. Coast Guard to a manufacturer for a period of five years. This five-year period primarily affects the PPE manufacturer and not the vessel manufacturer or the vessel owner or operator. PPE of a type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard that are manufactured during this five year period in accordance with the terms of the certificate may be installed on a vessel to meet the requirements of 33 CFR Part 155.
- Foreign vessels.
- While in U.S. waters, foreign vessels having a valid IOPP certificate indicating that the installed PPE meets the requirements of MARPOL Annex I will be accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard as being in compliance with 33 CFR Part 151 provided the system is in operable condition.