Regulations last checked for updates: Dec 19, 2025

Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters last revised: Dec 12, 2025
§ 151.30 - Applicability.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, §§ 151.30 through 151.49 apply to each ship that-

(1) Is operated under the authority of the United States and engages in international voyages;

(2) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for ocean service;

(3) Is operated under the authority of the United States and is certificated for coastwise service beyond three nautical miles from land;

(4) Is operated under the authority of the United States and operates at any time seaward of the outermost boundary of the territorial sea of the United States as defined in § 2.22 of this chapter; or

(5) Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters of the United States, or while at a port or terminal under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(b) Sections 151.30 through 151.49 do not apply to-

(1) A tank barge whose certificate is endorsed by the Coast Guard for a limited short protected coastwise route if the barge is constructed and certificated primarily for service on an inland route;

(2) A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service;

(3) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the Great Lakes of North America or their connecting and tributary waters;

(4) A Canadian or U.S. ship being operated exclusively on the internal waters of the United States and Canada; or

(5) Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL 73/78.

Note to § 151.30 (b)(4):

The term “internal waters” is defined in § 2.24 of this chapter.

[CGD 88-002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, as amended by CGD 88-002A, 55 FR 18582, May 2, 1990; USCG-2008-0179, 73 FR 35014, June 19, 2008]
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 151.30