---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 151.69"
title: "33"
number: "151.69"
heading: "Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/151.69"
---

# §151.69. Operating requirements: Discharge of garbage outside special areas.

- (a) Except for ships operating in the Great Lakes which must comply with [section 151.66](/cfr/33/151.66.md), when a ship is operating outside of a special area specified in [§ 151.53](/cfr/33/151.53.md), no person may discharge garbage into the sea, except as allowed in [paragraphs (b) through (d)](#b..d) of this section.
- (b) The following allowed discharges of garbage shall only be conducted while the ship is en route and as far as practicable from the nearest land, but never less than—
  - (1) 12 nautical miles for food wastes, except that, such food wastes may be discharged outside of 3 nautical miles from nearest land after they have been processed with a grinder or comminuter specified in [§ 151.75](/cfr/33/151.75.md);
  - (2) 12 nautical miles for cargo residues that cannot be recovered using commonly available methods for unloading. The discharged cargo residues must not be harmful to the marine environment; and
  - (3) 100 nautical miles and the maximum water depth possible for animal carcasses. Discharge shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable International Maritime Organization guidelines.
- (c) Cleaning agents or additives contained in cargo hold, deck, and external surfaces wash water may be discharged only if these substances are not harmful to the marine environment.
- (d) Mixtures of garbage having different discharge requirements must be:
  - (1) Retained on board for later disposal ashore; or
  - (2) Discharged in accordance with the more stringent requirement prescribed by [paragraphs (a) through (c)](#a..c) of this section.

## Notes

### Amendments

[USCG-2012-1049, 78 FR 13492, Feb. 28, 2013]

### 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 13492, Feb. 28, 2013]