Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C. 1901-1915).

This Act is enacted to implement the provisions of International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 and the Annexes to which the Unites States is a party. The Act applies to all U.S. flagged ships all across the globe and to all foreign-flagged vessels operating in navigable waters of the United States or while at port under U.S. jurisdiction. Ships shall also comply with Annex IV of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating or the Administrator of EPA shall prescribe Regulations applicable to the ships of a country not a party to the MARPOL Protocol (or the applicable Annex), including Regulations conforming to and giving effect to the requirements of Annex V and Annex VI as they apply under this Act, to ensure that their treatment is not more favorable than that accorded ships to parties to the MARPOL Protocol. The Secretary shall designate those persons authorized to issue on behalf of the United States the certificates required by the MARPOL Protocol. Other regulation-making powers are given to the Secretary for purposes of regulating pollution by ships, terminal’s reception facilities, and further implementation of the international agreements.