---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 140.655"
title: "46"
number: "140.655"
heading: "Prevention of oil and garbage pollution."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/140.655"
---

# §140.655. Prevention of oil and garbage pollution.

- (a) Each towing vessel must be operated in compliance with:
  - (1) Applicable sections of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, including section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended ([33 U.S.C. 1321](/usc/33/1321.md));
  - (2) Applicable sections of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships ([33 U.S.C. 1901](/usc/33/1901.md) et seq.); and
  - (3) **Parts 151, 155, and 156, of 33 CFR, as applicable.**
- (b) Each towing vessel must be capable of preventing all oil spills from reaching the water during transfers by:
  - (1) Pre-closing the scuppers/freeing ports, if the towing vessel is so equipped;
  - (2) Using fixed or portable containment of sufficient capacity to contain the most likely spill, if [33 CFR 155.320](/cfr/33/155.320.md) does not apply; or
  - (3) **Pre-deploying sorbent material on the deck around vents and fills.**
- (c) No person may intentionally drain oil or hazardous material into the bilge of a towing vessel from any source. For purposes of this section, “oil” has the same meaning as “oil” defined in [33 U.S.C. 1321](/usc/33/1321.md).

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation 0170.1.

### Source

Source: USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted.