What is EPA VGP?
On 19 December 2013, the revised Vessel General Permit (VGP) was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States of America. Owning a vessel of less than 79 feet and operating in US waters? Then you have to meet the requirements of the Small Vessel General Permit.
What are the VGP requirements?
To obtain VGP coverage (which will give authorisation to discharge under the VGP), the owner or operator of a vessel that is either 300 or more gross registered tons or has the capacity to hold or discharge more than 8 cubic metres (2113 gallons) of ballast water is required to submit a NOI no later than 12th December …
Can VGP required records be kept electronically?
Also, records may be kept electronically. If any of the effluent discharge limits in the VGP are violated, corrective action must be taken. This includes an assessment investigating the nature, cause, and potential options for eliminating the problems.
What is VGP in US waters and what are the procedure and requirements?
The VGP program requires that vessel owners/operators meet certain requirements, including ensuring their discharges meet effluent limits and related requirements, corrective action process for fixing permit violations, and requirements for inspections, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting.
Where is VGP applicable?
The VGP applies to almost all discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel including deck washdown and runoff, bilge water, antifouling hull coating leachate, aqueous film-forming foam, boiler blowdown, cathodic protection, chain locker effluent, fire main systems, and various other graywater and effluent …
What is VGP compliance?
The VGP is a permit issued by EPA in 2008 and reissued in 2013 under the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) that provided authority, on a nationwide basis, for discharges incidental to the normal operation of non-military and non-recreational vessels.
What must be done as soon as violation of the VGP is discovered?
If you violate any of the effluent discharge limits in the VGP, you must take corrective action. This includes an assessment investigating the nature, cause, and potential options for eliminating the problems.
What is VGP vessel general permit?
The VGP is a National Pollutant Release System (NPDES) Permit that authorizes, on a national basis, incidental discharges to the normal operation of non-military and non-recreational vessels of 79 feet in length and over.
What is incidental discharge as per VGP?
In which water do the VGP requirements apply?
The VGP is required for all vessels operating in U.S. waters with the exception of recreational vessels. Fishing vessels and commercial vessels less than 79 feet in length were not subject to the original requirements but will have to comply with the new VGP requirements in effect in 2013.
What is VGP area?
Who is responsible for identifying a violation of VGP requirements?
Violations and Enforcement of the VGP Violations of the VGP must be reported at least once a year to the appropriate EPA regional office, except certain spills and discharges identified in the VGP that must be reported within 24 hours if they endanger public health or the environment.