EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

fuel barges, crane barges, dry bulk cargo barges, etc. Barges are usually not powered vessels,
but are instead pushed or pulled by tugboats. Build dates for barges reported in the NOI indicate
that 21% of barges are less than 5 years old. Because of their relatively small size (vessel
tonnage), ballast capacity, and maximum persons aboard, most discharges incidental to the
normal operation of these vessels are of limited concern. EPA included barges in its analysis due
to the large number of barges in operation.
Oil and Gas Tankers. Oil and gas tankers represent the second greatest number of vessels
permitted under the VGP, with 3,363 uniquely identified vessels. Oil tankers are designed to
carry oil and other petroleum products in bulk tanks. Oil and gas tankers are large utility vessels,
second only to large cruise ships in size (median tonnage equal to approximately 25,000 gross
tons). Moreover, the median ballast water capacity of these vessels is very relatively large
(24,000 m 3 ). Nearly all oil and gas tankers also use anti foulant coatings to reduce attachment of
organisms to the vessel hull. Approximately half of these vessels (47%) are less than 5 years
old. EPA included oil and gas tankers in their analysis because of their prevalence at certain
ports, their overall size, their large ballast water capacity, likelihood they are engaged in long
distance voyages, and their use of AFCs.
Large Commercial Fishing Vessels 8 . Large commercial fishing vessels are those greater than
79 feet in length that are engaged in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish, crabs, lobster,
shrimp, or other aquatic organisms for commercial sale. The MISLE 9 database (USCG 2009)
indicates there are 2,326 commercial fishing vessels larger than 79 feet in length that are eligible
for coverage under the VGP. The median ballast water capacity of these vessels is moderately
high (1,388 m 3 ), as is the number of crew/passengers aboard. In addition, only 13 percent of the
large commercial fishing vessels are less than 5 years old. Commercial fishing vessels generate
fish hold and fish hold cleaning waste streams that are unique to commercial fishing vessels, and
these waste streams have been shown to contain relatively high concentrations of conventional
pollutants and nutrients (USEPA 2010b). Since most large commercial fishing vessels are
concentrated in a limited number of home ports, and since fish holds are frequently discharged
and cleaned by vessel crews between catches, EPA included large commercial fishing vessels in
its analysis. (Note that industrial operations from vessels used as seafood processing facilities
are not subject to the VGP because these operations are not incidental to the normal operation of
a vessel engaged in a capacity of transportation).
Large Cruise Ships. Large cruise ships are the largest vessels (by size) covered under the VGP.
8 Public Law 110-299 subsequently extended by Public Law 111-215 provided for a temporary moratorium on
NPDES permitting for all commercial fishing vessels. The moratorium on NPDES permitting for commercial
fishing vessels expires on December 18, 2013 and therefore all commercial fishing vessels larger than 79 feet will be
required to obtain permit coverage under the VGP in the event the moratorium is not extended.
9 The U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database provides a wide
range of information regarding vessel and facility characteristics, accidents, marine pollution incidents, and other
pertinent information tracked by the U.S. Coast Guard. The USCG MISLE database provides information on a wide
ensemble of vessels, including identification numbers, vessel category, size, area of operation, passenger and crew
capacity, propulsion method, construction material and design, and year built or age.
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