EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

� Prevent monofilament line, fishing nets, lines, lures, rope, bait boxes, and hooks from
entering any waste stream covered by this permit.
Deck Washdown and Runoff and Above Water Line Hull Cleaning. For vessels covered under
the sVGP, the EPA requires vessel owners/operators to:
� Use all soaps and cleaners as directed by the label.
� Use non-toxic, phosphate-free, and biodegradable soaps, detergents, or cleaners; EPA
expects that soaps that are “minimally toxic” will contain little to no nonylphenols. The
use of soaps that are labeled toxic or highly toxic is prohibited under the sVGP.
� Prevent the introduction of on-deck debris, garbage, residue, and spills into deck
washdown and runoff discharges.
� Minimize the discharge of paint chips and residue, especially during cleaning,
maintenance, paint application, and reapplication. When performing these activities,
collect and then dispose of chips and residues onshore in accordance with applicable
requirements for the facility where operations are performed.
Vessel Hull Maintenance. For vessels covered under the sVGP, the EPA requires vessel
owners/operators to:
� Minimize the impact of any anti-foulant system or the discharges resulting from antifoulant
paints on the aquatic environment. Use less toxic alternatives to copper based
paints to the extent practicable and available.
� Minimize hull husbandry in designated critical habitat for ESA-listed aquatic species.
� Do not use anti-fouling coatings if not needed, where drying or hull cleaning at haul-out
is adequate for managing fouling (e.g., for vessels that are hauled frequently or for overwinter
storage).
� Avoid discharges of tributyltin (TBT), i.e., zero-discharge standard by avoiding TBT
coatings; or having an effective overcoating that completely eliminates TBT discharges.
� Avoid cleaning anti-foulant paint that releases biocides for the first 90 days after
application.
� If the anti-foulant paint requires cleaning, gently clean hulls on a regular basis (this
minimizes the need for stronger cleaners and more abrasive brushes).
� When cleaning hulls coated with anti-fouling paint while the vessel is in the water, use
only soft sponges. Examine the water while cleaning to avoid forming a plume of paint.
Stop immediately if any visible plume of paint appears in the water. Consider hiring a
qualified, professional hull cleaner to do the work, and ensure that they follow
environmental guidelines.
� When cleaning hulls coated with anti-fouling paint while the vessel is out of the water,
always work away from the water in a location where paint chips and dust will not be
washed into the water. Place a tarp under the area to catch loose particles, and properly
dispose of paint chips, dust, and other particles.
� Vessel hulls must be periodically inspected (at least once per quarter), and if necessary,
cleaned to prevent the spread or dispersal of potentially invasive species.
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