scope:

PURPOSE. This Manual is published to promulgate Coast Guard environmental policies and procedures applicable to all waterborne assets. It is intended to meet the requirement of 33 U.S.C. 1902(h) Noncommercial shipping standards, which states "The heads of Federal departments and agencies shall prescribe standards applicable to ships excluded from this chapter by subsection (b)(1) of this section and for which they are responsible. Standards prescribed under this subsection shall ensure, so far as is reasonable and practicable without impairing the operations or operational capabilities of such ships, that such ships act in a manner consistent with the MARPOL Protocol."

APPLICABILITY. This Manual applies to U.S. Coast Guard vessels worldwide. It applies to cutters and to the boats and other craft carried by those cutters, as well as Coast Guard boats deployed from shore units. All Coast Guard personnel as well as embarked scientists and civilians shall abide by this policy. If differences in policy exist between this Manual and any other Coast Guard guidance available to the fleet, this Manual takes precedence.