---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 C.F.R. § 1700.31"
title: "40"
number: "1700.31"
heading: "Seawater cooling overboard discharge."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/40/1700.31"
---

# §1700.31. Seawater cooling overboard discharge.

- (a) **For discharges from vessels that are less than 79 feet in length—**
  - (1) To the greatest extent practicable, minimize non-contact engine cooling water, hydraulic system cooling water, refrigeration cooling water and other seawater cooling overboard discharges when the vessel is in port.
  - (2) To reduce the production and discharge of seawater cooling overboard discharge, the vessel should use shore based power when in port if:
    - (i) Shore power is readily available for the vessel from utilities or port authorities; and
    - (ii) Shore based power supply systems are capable of providing all needed electricity required for vessel operations; and
    - (iii) The vessel is equipped to connect to shore-based power and such systems are compatible with the available shore power.
  - (3) Fouling organisms must be removed from seawater piping on a regular basis. The discharge of fouling organisms removed during cleanings is prohibited.
- (b) **For discharges from vessels that are greater than or equal to 79 feet in length—**
  - (1) To the greatest extent practicable, minimize non-contact engine cooling water, hydraulic system cooling water, refrigeration cooling water and other seawater cooling overboard discharges when the vessel is in port.
  - (2) To reduce the production and discharge of seawater cooling overboard discharge, the vessel should use shore based power when in port if:
    - (i) Shore power is readily available for the vessel from utilities or port authorities; and
    - (ii) Shore based power supply systems are capable of providing all needed electricity required for vessel operations; and
    - (iii) The vessel is equipped to connect to shore-based power and such systems are compatible with the available shore power.
  - (3) Maintenance of all piping and seawater cooling systems must meet the requirements of [§ 1700.32](/cfr/40/1700.32.md) (Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention). For all vessels, except submarines, fouling organisms removed during maintenance must not be discharged.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 82 3183, Jan. 11, 2017, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1322, 1361.

### Source

Source: 64 FR 25134, May 10, 1999, unless otherwise noted.