Coast Guard Issues Interim Final Rule On Oil Pollution Prevention Equipment

摘要

The Coast Guard issued an interim final rule Jan. 16 that adopts international standards for oil pollution prevention equipment on ships and oil tankers (74 Fed. Reg. 3364).rnThe rule will require all vessels replacing or installing oil separators and bilge alarms to use equipment that meets revised standards, and it will require newly constructed vessels carrying oil in bulk to install monitoring systems that meet the international standards, the Coast Guard said.rnThe rule amends Coast Guard regulations at 33 C.F.R. Parts 155 and 157 and 46 C.F.R. Part 162 to make them consistent with new International Maritime Organization guidelines and specifications issued under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex 1.rnThe international standards address the testing, certification, and approval for oil pollution prevention equipment, including discharge monitors, which will help prevent oily discharges from ships. They are intended to reduce the amount of oil discharged from vessels and to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting solvents in equipment tests, the Coast Guard said.rnThe interim final rule takes effect March 17. The Coast Guard is accepting comments through April 16.