EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

propeller) to create thrust and determines the vessel’s speed at any given weight, or the weight
that can be moved at any given speed. Vessel power rating may determine the amount and
characteristics of discharges from operating vessels by affecting the size, type, and complexity of
onboard propulsion equipment. Most sVGP eligible vessels have a horsepower rating between
100 and 500 hp, with fewer having horsepower ratings of 500 to 1,000 hp.
Table 4. Vessel metrics for sVGP eligible vessels with specified length less than 79 (USEPA
2012b).
Vessel Service
Class
Commercial
Fishing Vessel
Passenger
Vessel
Number of
Vessels
Distribution of 3
Most Common Hull
Materials
111,094 fiberglass 19,433
wood 21,479
steel 7,805
34,609 fiberglass 8,022
wood 5,002
steel 1,633
Unspecified 37,578 fiberglass 6,595
wood 859
steel 1,998
Utility Vessel 18,743 fiberglass 408
wood 510
steel 7,082
Freight Barge 11,596 fiberglass 20
wood 87
steel 4,391
Freight Ship 1,102 fiberglass 38
wood 285
steel 224
Tank Barge 1,144 fiberglass 4
wood 2
Public Vessel,
unclassified
steel 323
684 fiberglass 16
wood 1
steel 5
Tank Ship 220 fiberglass 0
wood 6
steel 43
Number
Vessels 0-5
Years of
Age a,b
Number of
Self Propelled
Vessels a
Horsepower Ahead for
Vessels Reporting
Horsepower c
3,125 54,258 5k or more 21
1 – 5k 443
500 – 1k 1732
100 – 500 8478