U.S. COAST GUARD TO AMEND RULES FOR VESSEL POLLUTION CONTROLS
The U.S. Coast Guard wants to align the country’s vessel pollution controls rules with the latest international standards.
Specifically, the amendments involve domestic regulations concerning oily-water separators, operational discharges of oil, damage and impact stability of tank vessels, International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificates, garbage recordkeeping, and placards for reception facilities. Most amendments were adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization during the past several sessions.
“By aligning the domestic regulations with international standards, compliant U.S. ships would encounter fewer difficulties while engaged in international trade,” the Coast Guard said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Docket Management Facility or the Office of Management and Budget must receive comments from the industry about proposed rulemaking by Oct. 10. For more information, contact Lt. Commander Michael Jendrossek of the Coast Guard’s Vessel and Facility Operating Standards Division at (202) 267-1181.