EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

Under the VGP, the EPA authorizes the discharges of water from deck seals if the seals are
installed as an integral part of an IGS system. For vessels that have an inert gas system, EPA
authorizes the discharge of effluent produced from inert gas scrubbers (IGS) into waters of the
U.S. They require owners/operators of oil tankers to plug scuppers during cargo loading and
unloading operations to prevent the discharge of oil into waters subject to this permit. Any oil
spilled must be cleaned with oil absorbent cloths or another appropriate approach. Additionally,
owners/operators of oil tankers must comply with applicable requirements of 33 CFR § 155.310
and 33 CFR Part 156, Subpart A. Vessel owners/operators must minimize the discharge of
effluent produced from inert gas scrubbers if feasible for their vessel design. The EPA requires
operators to conduct a visual sheen test after every instance of pumping water from areas below
decks, or immediately following washing down the decks. The visual sheen test is used to detect
free oil by observing the surface of the receiving water for the presence of an oily sheen. If a
visible sheen is observed, EPA requires the owner/operator to initiate corrective actions and meet
recordkeeping/reporting requirements of the VGP. The EPA also requires tankers to do the
following:
� The ship’s crew members who actively take part in the management of the discharge or
who may affect the discharge must receive training regarding shipboard environmental
procedures and must be able to demonstrate proficiency in implementing these
procedures;
� Advanced training in shipboard environmental management procedures must be provided
for those directly involved in managing specific discharge types or areas of the ship and
these crew must be able to demonstrate proficiency in implementing these procedures;
and
� Appropriate reprimand procedures must be developed for crew whose actions lead to
violations of any effluent limit set forth in this permit or procedures established by the
ferry operator to minimize the discharge of pollutants.
Research Vessels
Research vessels are those that are engaged in investigation or experimentation aimed at
discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new
facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. For research vessels, EPA
authorizes the discharge of tracers (dyes, fluorescent beads, SF6), drifters, tracking devices and
the like, and expendable bathythermograph (XBT) probes, into waters subject to the VGP,
provided such discharges are for the sole purpose of conducting research on the aquatic
environment or its natural resources in accordance with generally recognized scientific methods,
principles, or techniques. The EPA requires owners/operators of research vessels to discharge
only the minimal amount of materials necessary to conduct research on the aquatic environment
or its natural resources in accordance with generally recognized scientific methods, principles, or
techniques.
Emergency and Rescue Vessels
For emergency and rescue vessels, EPA authorizes owners/operators to discharge waste streams
in conjunction with training, testing, and maintenance operations, provided that they comply
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