CFR

151.59—Placards.

(a) This section applies to the following:

(1) Each manned U.S. ship (other than a fixed or floating platform) that is 26 feet or more in length.

(2) Each manned floating platform in transit that is—

(i) Documented under the laws of the United States; or

(ii) Operating under the authority of the United States, including, but not limited to, a lease or permit issued by an agency of the United States.

(b) The master or person in charge of each ship under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section shall ensure that one or more placards meeting the requirements of this section are displayed in prominent locations and in sufficient numbers so that they can be read by the crew and passengers. These locations must be readily accessible to the intended reader and may include embarkation points, food service facilities, garbage handling spaces, and common spaces on deck. If the Captain of the Port determines that the number or location of the placards is insufficient to adequately inform crew and passengers, the Captain of the Port may require additional placards and may specify their locations.

(c) Each placard must be at least nine inches wide by four inches high, made of a durable material, and lettered with letters at least 1/8 inch high.

(d) Except as under paragraph (e) of this section, the placard must notify the reader of the following:

(1) The discharge of plastic or garbage mixed with plastic into any waters is prohibited.

(2) The discharge of all garbage is prohibited in the navigable waters of the United States and, in all other waters, within three nautical miles of the nearest land.

(3) The discharge of dunnage, lining, and packing materials that float is prohibited within 25 nautical miles of the nearest land.

(4) Other unground garbage may be discharged beyond 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.

(5) Other garbage ground to less than one inch may be discharged beyond three nautical miles of the nearest land.

(6) A person who violates the above requirements is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, and the criminal penalties of a class D felony. Placards installed on vessels before May 7, 1997, need not be replaced; and existing stocks of placards, containing previous language, may be used. When language on a placard is inconsistent with the language in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) due to use of a placard containing previous language penalty amounts contained in the CFR are controlling.

(7) Regional, State, and local restrictions on garbage discharges also may apply.

(e) For ships while operating on the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters, the placard must—

(1) Notify the reader of the information in paragraph (d) of this section; or

(2) Notify the reader of the following:

(i) The discharge of all garbage into the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters is prohibited.

(ii) A person who violates the above requirements is liable for a civil penalty for each violation, and the criminal penalties of a class D felony. Placards installed on vessels before May 7, 1997, need not be replaced; and existing stocks of placards, containing previous language, may be used. When language on a placard is inconsistent with the language in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) due to use of a placard containing previous language, penalty amounts contained in the CFR are controlling.

Code of Federal Regulations

[CGD 88-002A, 56 FR 8880, Mar. 1, 1991, as amended by CGD 96-052, 62 FR 16703, Apr. 8, 1997; 62 FR 31340, June 9, 1997]

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