Specifications

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Reportthefollowinginformation:
• Locationoftheincident
• Size/quantity(estimatedamountofmaterialreleased)
• Description,color,consistency,odor
• Dateandtimeobserved
• Sourceandcauseoftherelease,ifknown
• Substance,ifknown
• Weatherandanyotherinformationthatmayhelpemergency
personnelrespondtotheincident

TheActtoPreventPollutionfromShips(MARPOLANNEXV)places
limitationsonthedischargeofgarbagefromvesselsItisillegalto
dumpplastictrashanywhereintheoceanornavigablewatersofthe
UnitedStatesItisalsoillegaltodischargegarbageinthenavigable
watersoftheUnitedStates,includingtheinlandwatersandanywhere
intheGreatLakesThedischargeofothertypesofgarbageispermit-
tedoutsideofspecificdistancesoffshoreasdeterminedbythenature
ofthatgarbage(Seechartnextpage)

AnnexVofMARPOL73/78prohibitsthrowing,discharging,ordeposit-
inganyrefusematterofanykind(includingtrash,garbage,oil,and
otherliquidpollutants)intothewatersoftheUnitedStates
TheFederalWaterPollutionControlActprohibitsthedischargeofoilor
hazardoussubstancesthatmaybeharmfulintoUSnavigablewaters
Vessels26feetandgreaterinlength,withmachineryspaces,must
displayaplacardatleast5by8inches,madeofdurablematerial,fixed
inaconspicuousplaceinthemachineryspaces,oratthebilgepump
controlstation,statingthefollowing:
RegulationsissuedundertheFederalWaterPollutionControlActre-
quireallvesselswithpropulsionmachinerytohaveacapacitytoretain
oilymixturesonboardandbeequippedwithafixedorportablemeans
todischargetheseoilymixturestoareceptionfacilityOnrecreational
vessels,abucket,oilabsorbentpads,andheavy-dutyplasticbag,
bailer,orportablepumparesomeofthesuitablemeansthatmeetthe
requirementforretentiononboarduntiltransferringtheoilymixtureto
areceptionfacilityNopersonmayintentionallydrainoiloroilywaste
fromanysourceintothebilgeofanyvesselYoumustimmediately
notifytheUSCoastGuardifyourvesseldischargesoilorhazardous
substancesinthewaterCalltheCoastGuardNationalResponse
Centertoll-free(800)424-8802,or(202)267-2675

TheFederalWaterPollutionControlActprohibitsthedischarge
ofoiloroilywasteuponorintoanynavigablewatersofthe
UnitedStatesThisprohibitionincludesanydischargethat
causesafilmordiscolorationofthesurfaceofthewater,or
causesasludgeoremulsionbeneaththesurfaceofthewater
Violatorsaresubjecttosubstantialciviland/orcriminalsanc-
tions,includingfinesandimprisonment
