The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published Policy Letter 21-01: “Exercise of enforcement discretion with regard to MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13.5.1.2.1” to outline how the U.S. Coast Guard will enforce MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13.5.1.2.1, the Tier III NOx limits, for certain engines installed on recreational vessels above 24 meters in length and less than 500 gross tonnage (“large recreational vessels”).
Revisions to MARPOL Annex II and IBC Code
MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code have revisions that will be coming into effect on January 1, 2021.
Amendments to MARPOL 73/78 accepting electronic record books
On October 1, 2020, amendments to MARPOL 73/78 entered into force permitting vessels to electronically record discharges, transfers, and other reportable operations required under Annexes I, II, V and VI in Electronic Record Books (ERB); see IMO Resolution MEPC.314(74). Coast Guard Port State Control Officers (PSCO) and Marine Inspectors will begin examining ERBs in a similar manner as written record books.
Work Instruction update: MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14 compliance, & Global Sulfur Fuel Oil Sulfur Cap enforcement
The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) released work instruction CVC-WI-022 to provide guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors and port state control officers for ensuring vessel compliance with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14. Additionally, this work instruction cancels CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-04 Change 1, and includes a Job Aid as an enclosure.
Updated teleconference information for public meeting on global 0.50% sulfur limit
The code for the public to access the teleconference line for the Dec. 5, 2019, public meeting on consistent implementation of Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit has changed. Anyone wishing to call in for the meeting should dial 202-475-4000, and enter 405 789 52# when prompted for the participant access code.
Notice of Public Meeting: Consistent Implementation of Regulation 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex VI (Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit)
The Coast Guard will hold a public meeting in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5, 2019, to review and discuss the MARPOL Annex VI provisions for implementing the Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit and the associated guidance developed through the International Maritime Organization, as well as discuss related issues and Coast Guard enforcement plans.
Exhaust gas scrubbers on foreign ships in North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Areas
Policy letter 12-04 has been amended to reflect a change in policy on correspondence from flag administrations regarding equivalencies for exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) under MARPOL.
11/1/2018: Coast Guard, South African agencies hold seminar on vessel pollution prevention and enforcement
In September, subject matter experts from the U.S. Coast Guard traveled to Cape Town, South Africa for four-day seminar to exchange information and share techniques with officials from the Republic of South Africa on vessel pollution prevention and enforcement. Staff from the Coast Guard’s Compliance Analysis Division at Headquarters led the seminar and discussed the U.S. process for ensuring compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and actions the U.S. government takes when it suspects civil or criminal conduct aboard a foreign or domestic vessel.
10/29/2018: New work instruction on enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI Regulation, engine operation in Emission Control Areas
Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, affected companies, and Recognized Organizations that issue International Air Pollution Prevention certificates on behalf of the United States are encouraged to apply this Work Instruction as it relates to the installation and certification of “qualifying engines” that are required to meet IMO Tier III performance standards.
