Coast Guard Seeks Comment on Interim Rule to Conform Regulations to New Vessel Garbage Disposal Requirements

On February 28, 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard published an interim rule to account for new MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Annex V garbage disposal requirements which entered into force on January 1, 2013. Although federal regulations have not yet been updated to reflect the changes, all U.S. flag and foreign-flag vessels in U.S. waters must comply with the amendments as of the effective date. The rulemaking incorporates the general prohibition on discharges of garbage into the sea with prescribed exceptions, revises the definitions in 33 CFR 151.05 to align with the MARPOL amendments, and modifies the applicability, size, and requirements for placards. The interim rule will be effective as of April 1, 2013. Comments on the interim rule are due by May 29, 2013.