---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 39.4001"
title: "46"
number: "39.4001"
heading: "General requirements for vapor balancing—TB/ALL."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/39.4001"
---

# §39.4001. General requirements for vapor balancing—TB/ALL.

- (a) Vessels using vapor balancing while conducting a vessel-to-vessel transfer operation, directly or through a shore loop, must meet the requirements of this subpart in addition to the requirements of [46 CFR part 39](/cfr/46/part39.md), subparts [39.1000](/cfr/46/subpart39.1000.md), [39.2000](/cfr/46/subpart39.2000.md), and 39.3000. Arrangements other than vapor balancing used to control vapor emissions during a vessel-to-vessel transfer operation must receive approval from the Commandant.
- (b) A vapor balancing operation must receive approval from the Commandant to use a compressor or blower to assist vapor transfer.
- (c) Vapor balancing is prohibited when the cargo tanks on a vessel discharging cargo are inerted and the cargo tanks on a vessel receiving cargo are not inerted.
- (d) A vessel that intends to collect vapors (during a vessel-to-vessel transfer operation) from cargoes not previously approved must receive specific approval from the Commandant before beginning transfer operations.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7511b(f)(2); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 3715(b), 70011, 70034; Executive Order 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: USCG-1999-5150, 78 FR 42642, July 16, 2013, unless otherwise noted.