§151.51. Applicability.
33 C.F.R. § 151.51
Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section, §§ 151.51 through 151.77 apply to each ship that—
Is of United States registry or nationality, or one operated under the authority of the United States, including recreational vessels defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 and uninspected vessels defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101, wherever located; or
Is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.
Sections 151.51 through 151.77 do not apply to—
A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service; or
Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL.
Section 151.55 (Recordkeeping) applies to—
A manned oceangoing ship (other than a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform) of 400 gross tons and above that is documented under the laws of the United States or numbered by a State;
A manned oceangoing ship (other than a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform) of 400 gross tons and above that is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States;
A manned fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
A manned ship that is certified to carry 15 or more persons engaged in international voyages.
Section 151.57 (Garbage Management Plans) applies to—
A manned oceangoing ship (other than a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform) of 40 feet or more in length that is documented under the laws of the United States or numbered by a state and that either is engaged in commerce or is equipped with a galley and berthing;
A manned fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
A manned ship of 100 gross tons or more that is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.
Section 151.59 (Placards) applies to—
A manned U.S. ship (other than a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform) that is 26 feet or more in length;
A manned floating drilling rig or other platform in transit that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
A manned ship of 40 feet or more in length that is operated under the authority of a country other than the United States while in the navigable waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.
Section 151.73 (Discharge of Garbage from Fixed or Floating platforms) only applies to a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[USCG-2012-1049, 78 FR 13491, Feb. 28, 2013, as amended by USCG-2024-1103, 90 FR 52878, Nov. 24, 2025]
Source
Source: Sections 151.51 through 151.77 and Appendix A appear by CGD 88-002, 54 FR 18405, Apr. 28, 1989, unless otherwise noted.
Authority
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321, 1903, 1908; 46 U.S.C. 6101; Pub. L. 104-227 (110 Stat. 3034); E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp. p. 351; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 170.1.
Source
Source: CGD 75-124a, 48 FR 45709, Oct. 6, 1983, unless otherwise noted.
Authority
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1902, 1903, 1908; 46 U.S.C. 6101; 46 U.S.C. 70034; Pub. L. 104-227, 110 Stat. 3034; sec. 623, Pub. L. 108-293, 118 Stat. 1063; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
Amendments
[USCG-2012-1049, 78 FR 13491, Feb. 28, 2013, as amended by USCG-2024-1103, 90 FR 52878, Nov. 24, 2025]