Department of Homeland Security November 3, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard proposes to revise its pollution prevention equipment regulations to make them consistent with new International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines and specifications issued under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex I. These revisions should effectively implement MARPOL Annex I regulations, reduce the amount of oil discharged from vessels, and eliminate the use of ozone-depleting solvents in equipment tests. The proposed rule would require newly constructed vessels carrying oil in bulk to install cargo monitors that meet revised standards and require all vessels replacing or installing oil separators and bilge alarms to install equipment that meets revised standards. Tests for approval of this equipment would also be revised both to deal with common bilge contaminants and to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting solvents.