Vessel General Permit (VGP) is a USA Clean Water Act, NPDES permit that authorizes discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels greater than 79 feet in length. The 2013 VGP that replaced the 2008 VGP, has incorporated a new requirements for a submission of an electronically annual report by February 28th covering activities conducted from January 1st, till December 31, of previous year.
VGP Annual Report Requirements
The Reporting Requirements under the VGP are outlined as follows:
| # | Annual Report Question / Requirement | Applicability | Action/Data |
| 1 | Does your vessel have a ballast water treatment system? | BWTS equipped vessels | Ballast Addendum |
| 2 | Does your vessel have an exhaust gas scrubber? | EGS fitted vessels | EGS Addendum |
| 3 | Does your vessel have an oily water separator (OWS)? | Vsls discharged bilges within 3 NM | Bilge water Addendum |
| 4 | Did you discharge treated or untreated graywater in U.S. waters? | New builts subj to 2.2.15, Large & Medium Cruise Ships subj to 5.1, or 5.2 | Graywater Addendum |
| 5 | Did your vessel store any discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels on board for onshore disposal? | All vessels | Provide list and disposal method |
| 6 | Did your vessel use environmentally acceptable lubricants for oil to sea interfaces? | All vessels | Name Brands, If not, why? |
| 7 | Did you have to claim a safety exemption for any discharge category, and were therefore unable to meet effluent limits of the VGP? | All vessels | List discharge types and reason(s) for safety exemptions claimed |
| 8 | Did you receive any citations or warnings from EPA or the U.S. Coast Guard for any violations of environmental laws? | All vessels | If yes, please scan and attach. Explain and provide details. |
| 9 | Did you have any instances of non compliance this year (e.g., discharging untreated bilgewater, exceeding numeric effluent limits)? | All vessels | Provide Details (table) with Date, VGP ref, NCO description, cause & corrective action etc. |
Actions required
Ship Managers with vessels covered under the 2013 VGP are required to submit the annual report by February 28th 2018 (for activities conducted from January 1st 2017 till December 31st 2017).
How we may help
Ship Managers with vessels covered under the 2013 VGP are required to submit the annual report by February 28, 2018. SQE MARINE having a world class expertise on VGP requirements and implementation may assist in the preparation and review of the above annual report prior electronic submission and/or co-ordinate accordingly.
To learn more please contact our client Service Department.
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