[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR156.210]

[Page 444]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 156--OIL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL TRANSFER OPERATIONS--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart B--Special Requirements for Lightering of Oil and Hazardous 
                            Material Cargoes
 
Sec. 156.210  General.

    (a) No vessel may transfer oil or hazardous materials in a port or 
place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, if the cargo has 
been lightered from another vessel, unless:
    (1) The regulations in this subpart have been complied with;
    (2) Both the vessel to be lightered and service vessel have, on 
board, at the time of transfer, a valid Certificate of Inspection, 
Certificate of Compliance, or a Tank Vessel Examination Letter, as would 
have been required under 46 U.S.C. 3710 or 3711, had the transfer taken 
place in a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States;
    (3) The delivering and receiving vessels have on board at the time 
of transfer, evidence that each vessel is operating in compliance with 
section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1321(j)) and applicable regulations issued under the authority of 
section 311(j) in the form of a Declaration of Inspection as required by 
Sec. 156.150 and a vessel response plan if required under part 155 of 
this chapter; and
    Note: Under 46 U.S.C. 3715, the delivering and receiving vessels 
must have on board at the time of transfer, a Certificate of Financial 
Responsibility that would be required if the transfer had taken place in 
a location subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Regulations 
concerning Certificates of Financial Responsibility for vessels using 
the navigable waters of the U.S. are in part 130 of this chapter.
    (4) The vessel to be lightered has on board, at the time of 
transfer, an International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate 
or equivalent documentation of compliance with Annex I of the 
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 
1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/
78), as would be required by Part 151 of this chapter for vessels in 
navigable waters of the United States. The IOPP Certificate or 
documentation of compliance shall be that prescribed by Sec.Sec. 151.19 
and 151.21 of this chapter, and shall be effective under the same 
timetable as specified in Sec. 151.19.
    (b) Lightering operations involving hazardous materials, other than 
oil, may be conducted only with the specific approval of the Commandant. 
A request to lighter hazardous materials, other than oil, must be 
submitted to Commandant (G-M) prior to the planned beginning of 
lightering operations. The request must include the information 
described in Sec. 156.215(a) to the extent known, for the initial 
transfer, and the estimated frequency of subsequent lightering 
operations. After the entry into force of Annex II to MARPOL 73/78, 
vessels lightering hazardous materials shall carry an International 
Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid 
Substances in Bulk (1973), if required by Annex II to MARPOL 73/78, or 
equivalent documentation of compliance with the annex.
    (c) In an emergency, the COTP, upon request, may authorize a 
deviation from any rule in this part if the COTP determines that its 
application will endanger persons, property, or the environment.
    (d) On vessels conducting lightering operations in a designated 
lightering zone, a licensed individual or seaman may not work, except in 
an emergency or a drill, more than 15 hours in any 24-hour period, or 
more than 36 hours in any 72-hour period, including the 24-hour and 72-
hour periods prior to commencing lightering operations.

[CGD 78-180, 49 FR 11172, Mar. 29, 1984, as amended by CGD 88-052, 53 FR 
25122, July 1, 1988; CGD 90-052, 58 FR 48436, Sept. 15, 1993; CGD 93-
081, 60 FR 45017, Aug. 29, 1995; USCG-2002-12471, 67 FR 41333, June 18, 
2002]