EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

� Regularly inspect the fuel and hydraulic systems for any damages or leaks, for instance
during fueling, when performing routine maintenance on the auxiliary vessel, and/or
during deployments for testing.
� Avoid discharging ballast water in critical habitat when feasible.
(http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/criticalhabitat.htm)
� Minimize hull husbandry in critical habitat for aquatic species.
(http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/criticalhabitat.htm)
� Use soaps and detergents that are minimally toxic; EPA expects that soaps that are
“minimally toxic” will contain little to no nonylphenols.
� Add the following questions added to the Annual Report:
o When is your next scheduled drydocking? (This question is optional for inland
vessels less than 300 gross tons and unmanned, unpowered barges)
o When did you last conduct a below water (or drydock) hull inspection? (This
question is optional for inland vessels less than 300 gross tons and unmanned,
unpowered barges)
o Do you use anti-foulant paint? If so, what type of anti-fouling hull coating? [Select
specific product from drop-down menu]. When was it last applied?
sVGP Requirements
The EPA will include the following language in the sVGP Fact Sheet. The EPA requires vessel
owners/operators to:
� Regularly inspect the fuel and hydraulic systems for any damages or leaks, for instance
during fueling and/or when performing routine maintenance.
� Periodically inspect (at least once per quarter) the engine for any loose or leaking hoses,
gaskets, and/or seals and if needed, repair or replace damaged parts as soon as possible.
� Check for the presence of a visible sheen surrounding waters periodically while
discharging bilgewater.
� Visible portions of the 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.
� Minimize the transport of any visible living organism from one waterbody to another by
regularly cleaning and maintaining the hull. EPA proposes to add [the following]
language to the Fact Sheet, with respect to [sVGP Section] 2.6 (g) Vessel Hull
Maintenance: “In this context, EPA believes that to clean ‘regularly’ means to prevent
substantial fouling of the vessel’s hull. Regularly will vary from vessel to vessel, but
cleaning should be done on a schedule to prevent the accumulation of potential ANS or
other pollutants. By leaving regularly to be applied on a site-specific basis, vessel
owner/operators can manage their operations efficiently, yet keep their hulls clean. If a
vessel’s hull is severely fouled, the cleaning has not occurred regularly. Hence, severe
fouling could be [a] permit violation.”
� (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/criticalhabitat.htm)
� Avoid discharging ballast water in critical habitat when feasible
(http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/criticalhabitat.htm)
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