PVA Develops Guidance Manual on EPA General Permit for Discharges Incidental to Normal Vessel Operations

Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) develops Manual to help its members comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-issued General Permit for wastewater discharges incidental to normal vessel operations.

The PVA Manual for Compliance with the EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of a Vessel is a service by PVA for its members. It describes the authorized discharges, summarizes best management practices, explains inspection and recordkeeping requirements, and points out which states have appended extra conditions to the EPA Vessel General Permit.

The terms of the EPA Vessel General Permit will go into effect on Friday, February 6, 2009. All commercial vessels of 79 feet in length or greater will be automatically covered. The VGP also applies to ballast water discharges from commercial vessels regardless of length. Issued in response to a federal court order, the EPA Vessel General Permit represents a major expansion of federal regulation of commercial vessel operations.

To read the Vessel General Permit in full, click HERE. An accompanying lengthy fact sheet and other documentation regarding the permit are also located on the EPA web page.

• About the Passenger Vessel Association

The Passenger Vessel Association is the national association representing the interests of owners and operators of dinner cruise vessels, sightseeing and excursion vessels, car and passenger ferries, gaming vessels, private charter boats, whale watching and eco-tour vessels, day-sailers and windjammer sailing vessels, overnight cruise ships and amphibious DUKW. PVA members operate U.S. Coast Guard certificated, Canadian Coast Guard or state inspected vessels. The passenger vessel industry carries more than 200 million passengers each year.

PVA on the Internet at: www.passengervessel.com.

John Groundwater / 703-518-5005 / [email protected]