MARPOL Annex V Environmental Regulations:
Ship-Board Waste Management
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) currently enforces MARPOL Annex V regulations on board applicable U.S. and foreign vessels operating in the U.S. and internationally through ensuring compliance with the regulations in 33 CFR 151, Part A. The USCG also enforces shore side facility regulations found in 33 CFR 158, Part D.

Known worldwide as the MARPOL Convention, the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships prohibits at-sea disposal of garbage generated during routine ship operations. Annex V of the MARPOL Convention prohibits all overboard disposal of plastics (or garbage mixed with plastics) and limits other discharges (based on the material and the vessel’s location/distance from shore).

MARPOL Annex V laws outline requirements for onboard waste management plans and specific procedures to be used for collecting, processing, storing and discharging the vessel’s garbage properly. U.S. vessels 40 feet or larger, and which operate beyond three miles, and have a galley and berthing, or engage in commerce, must have a waste management plan posted and keep records of garbage discharges and disposals. Any person who violates any of the above requirements is liable for a civil penalty of up to $25,000, a fine of up to $50,000, and imprisonment for up to five years for each violation. Note that regional, state, and local restrictions on garbage restrictions also may apply.

Foreign vessels that must meet MARPOL and U.S. requirements for garbage handling and management have their placards, plans, and equipment evaluated during port state control examinations that take place once each year. The evaluation takes place on board all U.S. certificated vessels during their inspections or reinspections.