EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

� Ensuring material storage, and toxic and hazardous material requirements are met.
� Ensuring all oils and oily machinery are properly secured, covered, and protected. Any
spilled or leaked oils must be cleaned up immediately. If machinery or equipment is
leaking oil, the leaks must be stopped or appropriate containment must be in place to
capture any leaking oil.
� Documenting whether automatic bilge water pump(s) will be engaged on the vessel
during the EUP.
� Documenting the amount of fuel on board.
� Documenting the amount of ballast water on board.
� Documenting the date the EUP began.
While a vessel is in extended lay-up, the owner/operator must examine the outside of the vessel
and surrounding waters at least once every two weeks for any evidence of leaks, loss of cargo, or
any other spills which might result in an unauthorized discharge. If any deficiencies are
observed while the vessel is in EUP, the vessel owner/operator must document those deficiencies
and the corrective actions taken to resolve those deficiencies. If a visible sheen is noted on the
surface of the surrounding water, the source of the oil must be identified and corrective action
must be taken immediately. The vessel owner/operator must notify EPA of the visible sheen.
All records must be available to EPA or its authorized representative upon request. Before a
vessel reenters service, the EPA requires vessel owners/operators to conduct a post lay-up
routine visual inspection. As part of this inspection, the owner/operator must document the date
the EUP ended, whether fluids (e.g., fuel, ballast water) are at their pre-EUP levels, and whether
any spills or leaks of oily materials are observed. Any deficiencies noted must be corrected
before the vessel reenters service.
Comprehensive Annual Vessel Inspections. For vessels covered under the VGP, EPA requires
vessel owners/operators to conduct comprehensive vessel inspections at least once every 12
months. These annual inspections must be conducted by qualified personnel, including: the
Master or owner/operator of the vessel, if appropriately trained; appropriately trained marine or
environmental engineers or technicians; or an appropriately trained representative of a vessel’s
class society acting on behalf of the owner/operator. Comprehensive annual inspections must
cover all areas of the vessel affected by the requirements in this permit that can be inspected
without forcing a vessel into dry dock. Areas that inspectors must examine include, but are not
limited to:
� Vessel hull for attached living organisms, flaking anti-foulant paint, exposed TBT or
other organotin surfaces;
� Ballast water tanks, as applicable;
� Bilges, pumps, and oily water separator sensors, as applicable;
� Oil discharge monitoring system and electronic valve switching function, as applicable;
� Protective seals for lubrication and any hydraulic oil leaks;
� Oil and chemical storage areas, cargo areas, and waste storage areas; and
� All visible pollution control measures to ensure that they are functioning properly.
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