---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 151.51"
title: "33"
number: "151.51"
heading: "Applicability."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/151.51"
---

# §151.51. Applicability.

- (a) Except as provided in [paragraphs (b) through (f)](#b..f) of this section, [§§ 151.51 through 151.77](/cfr/33/151.51..151.77.md) apply to each ship that—
  - (1) 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](/usc/46/2101.md) and uninspected vessels defined in [46 U.S.C. 2101](/usc/46/2101.md), wherever located; or
  - (2) 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.
- (b) [Sections 151.51 through 151.77](/cfr/33/151.51..151.77.md) do not apply to—
  - (1) A warship, naval auxiliary, or other ship owned or operated by a country when engaged in noncommercial service; or
  - (2) **Any other ship specifically excluded by MARPOL.**
- (c) [Section 151.55](/cfr/33/151.55.md) (Recordkeeping) applies to—
  - (1) 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;
  - (2) 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;
  - (3) A manned fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
  - (4) **A manned ship that is certified to carry 15 or more persons engaged in international voyages.**
- (d) [Section 151.57](/cfr/33/151.57.md) (Garbage Management Plans) applies to—
  - (1) 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;
  - (2) A manned fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
  - (3) 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.
- (e) [Section 151.59 (Placards)](/cfr/33/151.59.md?p=Placards) applies to—
  - (1) A manned U.S. ship (other than a fixed or floating drilling rig or other platform) that is 26 feet or more in length;
  - (2) A manned floating drilling rig or other platform in transit that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
  - (3) 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.
- (f) [Section 151.73](/cfr/33/151.73.md) (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

[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]