Regulations last checked for updates: Dec 19, 2025

Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters last revised: Dec 12, 2025
§ 151.11 - Exceptions for emergencies.

(a) Sections 151.10 and 151.13 do not apply to-

(1) The discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship or saving life at sea.

(2) The discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixture resulting from damage to a ship or its equipment-

(i) Provided that all reasonable precautions have been taken after the occurrence of the damage or discovery of the discharge for the purpose of preventing or minimizing the discharge; and

(ii) Except if the owner or the master acted either with intent to cause damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result.

(b) [Reserved]

[CGD 75-134a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended by CGD 88-002, 54 FR 18404, Apr. 28, 1989]
authority: 33 U.S.C. 1902,1903,1908; 46 U.S.C. 6101; 46 U.S.C. 70034; Pub. L. 104-227, 110 Stat. 3034; sec. 623, Pub. L. 108-293, 118 Stat. 1063; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4
cite as: 33 CFR 151.11