---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1903"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1903"
heading: "Administration and enforcement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1903"
units:
  - "Chapter 33 — Prevention of Pollution from Ships"
---

# §1903. Administration and enforcement

- (a) **Duty of Secretary; Annexes of Convention applicable to seagoing vessels—** Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) shall administer and enforce the [MARPOL Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-4), Annex IV to the [Antarctic Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-3), and this chapter. In the administration and enforcement of the [MARPOL Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-4) and this chapter, Annexes I and II of the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5) apply only to seagoing [ships](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-12).
- (b) **Duty of the Administrator—** In addition to other duties specified in this chapter, the [Administrator](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-1) and the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11), respectively, shall have the following duties and authorities:
  - (1) The [Administrator](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-1) shall, and no other [person](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-10) may, issue Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificates in accordance with Annex VI and the International Maritime Organization’s Technical Code on Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines, on behalf of the United States for a vessel of the United States as that term is defined in [section 116 of title 46](/usc/46/116.md). The issuance of Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificates shall be consistent with any applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act [[42 U.S.C. 7401](/usc/42/7401.md) et seq.] or regulations prescribed under that Act.
  - (2) The [Administrator](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-1) shall have authority to administer regulations 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Annex VI to the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5).
  - (3) The [Administrator](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-1) shall, only as specified in [section 1907(f) of this title](/usc/33/1907.md?p=f), have authority to enforce Annex VI of the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5).
- (c) **Regulations; refuse record books; waste management plans; notification of crew and passengers—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) shall prescribe any necessary or desired regulations to carry out the provisions of the [MARPOL Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-4), Annex IV to the [Antarctic Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-3), or this chapter.
  - (2) In addition to the authority the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) has to prescribe regulations under this chapter, the [Administrator](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-1) shall also prescribe any necessary or desired regulations to carry out the provisions of regulations 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Annex VI to the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5).
  - (3) In prescribing any regulations under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) and the [Administrator](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-1) shall consult with each other, and with respect to regulation 19, with the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) of the Interior.
  - (4) The [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall—
    - (A) prescribe regulations which—
      - (i) require certain [ships](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-12) described in [section 1902(a)(1) of this title](/usc/33/1902.md?p=a-1) to maintain refuse record books and shipboard management plans, and to display placards which notify the crew and passengers of the requirements of Annex V to the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5) and of Annex IV to the [Antarctic Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-3); and
      - (ii) specify the [ships](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-12) described in [section 1902(a)(1) of this title](/usc/33/1902.md?p=a-1) to which the regulations apply;
    - (B) seek an international agreement or international agreements which apply requirements equivalent to those described in [subparagraph (A)(i)](#c-4-A-i) to all vessels subject to Annex V to the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5); and
    - (C) within 2 years after the effective date of this paragraph, report to the Congress—
      - (i) regarding activities of the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) under [subparagraph (B)](#c-4-B); and
      - (ii) if the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) has not obtained agreements pursuant to [subparagraph (B)](#c-4-B) regarding the desirability of applying the requirements described in [subparagraph (A)(i)](#c-4-A-i) to all vessels described in [section 1902(a) of this title](/usc/33/1902.md?p=a) which call at United States ports.
  - (5) No standard issued by any [person](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-10) or Federal authority, with respect to emissions from tank vessels subject to regulation 15 of Annex VI to the [Convention](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-5), shall be effective until 6 months after the required notification to the International Maritime Organization by the [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11).
- (d) **Utilization of personnel, facilities, or equipment of other Federal departments and agencies—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-11) may utilize by agreement, with or without reimbursement, personnel, facilities, or equipment of other Federal departments and agencies in administering the [MARPOL Protocol](/usc/33/1901.md?p=a-4), this chapter, or the regulations thereunder.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–478, § 4, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2298; Pub. L. 100–220, title II, § 2107, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1464; Pub. L. 104–227, title II, § 201(c), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3042; Pub. L. 110–280, § 5, July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2613.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§ 7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

The effective date of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(C), is Dec. 31, 1988, the effective date of section 2107(b) of Pub. L. 100–220. See Effective Date of 1987 Amendment note below.

### Amendments

2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–280, § 5(1), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–280 redesignated subsec. (b) as (c), added pars. (2), (3), and (5), and redesignated former par. (2) as (4). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–280, § 5(1), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d).

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–227, § 201(c)(1), inserted “, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol,” after “the MARPOL Protocol” in first sentence.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–227, § 201(c)(2), inserted “, Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol,” after “the MARPOL Protocol”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 104–227, § 201(c)(3), (4), struck out “within 1 year after the effective date of this paragraph,” before “prescribe” in introductory provisions and inserted “and of Annex IV to the Antarctic Protocol” after “the Convention” in cl. (i).

1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–220, § 2107(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “Unless otherwise specified herein, the Secretary shall administer and enforce the MARPOL Protocol and this chapter. In the administration and enforcement of the MARPOL Protocol and this chapter, Annexes I and II of the MARPOL Protocol shall be applicable only to seagoing ships.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–220, § 2107(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–220 effective Dec. 31, 1988, the date on which Annex V to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, entered into force for the United States, see section 2002(a) of Pub. L. 100–220, set out as a note under section 1901 of this title.

### Effective Date

Subsec. (b) of this section effective Oct. 21, 1980, see section 14(b) of Pub. L. 96–478, set out as a note under section 1901 of this title.

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.