Disposal of Vessels at Sea
The EPA has issued a general permit under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) to authorize the transportation and disposal of vessels at sea under specific conditions. The general permit is published in the federal regulations at 40 CFR 229.3.
The MPRSA requires consideration of land-based alternatives prior to authorization of ocean disposal. Intentional ocean disposal of vessels generally should only be pursued when land-based alternatives are not available. Other options for managing retired vessels include re-using the vessel or parts of the vessel, recycling or scrapping, preparation of the vessel for use as an artificial reef, and disposal of the vessel on land.
On this page:
- What types of vessels may be considered for disposal at sea?
- Could vessel disposal at sea harm the ocean?
- How is a vessel prepared to comply with the general permit before disposal at sea?
- How are persons authorized to transport and dispose of a vessel at sea?
What types of vessels may be considered for disposal at sea?
Vessels may be disposed at sea only under specified conditions in the MPRSA general permit published in the federal regulations at 40 CFR 229.3. Ocean disposal of a vessel that would not meet the general permit’s requirements would require a special permit.
The permit is most suitable for large ships with steel hulls. Smaller vessels are more amenable to land-based alternatives compared to larger ships. Between zero and 10 vessels are disposed of in the ocean each year using the MPRSA general permit.
Could vessel disposal at sea harm the ocean?
Vessels, as well as items in and on vessels, can pose potential environmental, human health and navigational concerns. Vessels sometimes contain harmful pollutants or serve as sources of pollution, such as oil, fuel, lubricants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos and floatable materials (e.g., plastics) that would need to be removed under the general permit.
Some vessels may not be suitable to be permitted under the MPRSA because they may float or are likely to break apart and create marine debris. Vessel debris and floatable solids can be a navigational obstruction and safety hazard. Vessel debris can also physically destroy marine habitats and smother or entrap marine organisms. Fiberglass vessels are not suitable for ocean disposal because fiberglass (fiber-reinforced plastic) degrades or breaks apart over time, contributing to microplastic pollutant load and furthering marine pollution.
How is a vessel prepared to comply with the general permit before disposal at sea?
Prior to disposal of a vessel at sea, qualified personnel are to remove, to the maximum extent practicable, all materials that may degrade the marine environment. Removal includes emptying and flushing all fuel lines and tanks as well as removing other pollutants and readily detachable material capable of creating debris or contributing to chemical pollution from the hull.
Related Information:
- Guidance for vessels proposed for disposal at sea (International Maritime Organization)
How to seek authorization to transport and dispose of a vessel at sea?
General instructions for interested persons wishing to dispose of a vessel at sea are listed below along with definitions of some of the terms used. The EPA must be notified of specific information at certain points prior to disposal of a vessel under the general permit as detailed below.
General Instructions for Disposal of Vessels at Sea
- Contact the EPA's Regional Office to inquire about disposing of a vessel at sea.
- Remove pollutants: Except in an emergency situation (as determined by the local USCG Sector and/or USACE District Office), prior to disposal, qualified personnel must remove all materials, to the maximum extent practical, that may degrade the marine environment. The measures include, but are not limited to:
- emptying all fuel lines and fuel tanks to the lowest point practicable, flushing them with water, and again emptying them to the lowest point practicable so that they are essentially free of petroleum; and
- removing from the hulls other pollutants and all readily detachable material capable of creating debris or contributing to chemical pollution.
- Prepare vessel for sinking: All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that marine navigation is not otherwise impaired and that the vessel sinks to the bottom rapidly. The towing vessel must remain at the disposal site for at least two hours to confirm that no large portions of the disposed vessel rise to the surface or to recover any floating scrap material.
There are numerous methods for sinking properly prepared vessels at sea. While the general permit does not address or explicitly authorize use of any particular method, the EPA discourages the use of explosives to sink vessels due to the inherent danger they represent and recommends other methods of scuttling a vessel, including opening sea chests, using water cannons or pumps, and creating temporary hatches with patches. Each case is vessel specific, thus you may wish to consult a marine engineer to assist with a scuttling plan.
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Identify a disposal site location
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Disposal of the vessel has to take place:
- in a site designated on current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) charts for the disposal of wrecks; or
- at least 12 miles from the nearest land and in water at least 300 feet deep.
- Disposal cannot take place in:
- established shipping lanes unless at a designated wreck site;
- a marine sanctuary; or
- a location where the hulk may present a hazard to commercial trawling or national defense.
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- Notify the EPA at least one month prior to vessel disposal: Except in an emergency situation (as determined by the local U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) District Office), at least one month before disposal of the vessel, the following information is provided in writing to the EPA Region responsible for the ocean waters in which the proposed disposal will take place. Copies of the notice should be sent to the Captain of the Port of the local USCG Sector and/or the USACE District Office, in order to facilitate efficient disposal under the permit.
- Need-for-disposal statement: discussion of the need for ocean disposal of the vessel.
- Vessel and cargo description: type and description of vessel (including vessel's name and registration number) and type of cargo normally carried.
- Disposal plan: detailed description of proposed disposal procedures (including proposed location) and requested date of disposal.
- Environmental impact: information on the potential effect of disposal on the marine environment.
- Disposal alternatives: documentation of an adequate evaluation of alternatives to ocean disposal. The alternative methods of disposal that must be considered are scrap, salvage and reclamation. Use as an artificial reef site should be considered.
- Provide ten-day notice to the EPA and the USCG: Except in an emergency situation (as determined by the local USCG Sector and/or USACE District Office), at least 10 days before disposal, the EPA and District Commander of the USCG must be notified that the vessel has been cleaned and is available for inspection. The vessel may be transported for dumping only after the EPA and the USCG agree that the requirements of paragraph 3 of the permit have been met.
- Provide forty-eight and 12-hour notice to Captain-of-the Port (COTP), the USCG and the EPA: Except in an emergency situation (as determined by the local USCG Sector and/or USACE District Office), the COTP, the USCG and the EPA must be notified 48 hours in advance of disposal. In addition, the COTP and the EPA must be notified by telephone at least 12 hours before the vessel’s departure from port with such details as:
- the proposed departure time and place;
- disposal site location;
- estimated time of arrival on site; and
- name and communication capability of the towing vessel. Schedule changes are to be reported to the COTP as rapidly as possible.
- Coordinate USCG supervision: The District Commander of the USCG or his designee may supervise transportation to the disposal site.
- Coordinate disposal times: Except in an emergency situation (as determined by the local USCG Sector and/or USACE District Office), disposal can only take place during daylight hours.
- Submit notification to the NOS of disposal site coordinates: the EPA and the National Ocean Service (NOS) office of NOAA must be notified in writing within one week of the exact coordinates of the disposal site so that it may be marked on the appropriate charts.
- Contact: Nautical Data Branch, N/CS26, Station 7308, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.