b'REGULATORY REPORTREGULATORY Vessel General Permit Becomes Vessel Incidental Discharge ActEventuallyPETER LAURIDSEN // PVA REGULATORY AFFAIRS CONSULTANTI n2013theEnvironmentalProtection(VGP) that addressed operational dischargespendingdevelopmentofappropriatestan-Agency(EPA)introduceditsmostre- fromvessels79feetandgreater.Compli- dards. The Coast Guard Authorization Act centversionofVesselGeneralPermitance for vessels less than 79 feet was deferredof2018introducedtheVesselIncidental Discharge Act (VIDA) that codified the pro-visions of the 2013 VGP and directed the de-velopment of new effluent standards for ves-sels 79 feet and greater by the EPA. The U.S. Coast Guard is given the enforcement role for thestandardswhentheyareimplemented. Those Coast Guard regulations are due with-in two years of EPAs published final rule.In a Federal Register notice on Oct. 26, 2020, the EPA published a notice titled Vessel Inci-dental Discharge National Standards of Per-formance (NPRM). The notice detailed the scope of the proposed regulations that will ad-dress the environmental impacts of discharges Donations Make a Difference: under updated standards and technologies.Donations Make a Difference:In a recent notice, the EPA has indicated thatAnnual gifts Annual gifts they will issue a supplemental notice of pro- Planned giving posed rules (SNPRM) in the fall of 2023. ThisPlanned giving Memorials notice will solicit comments specific to issuesMemorials Tributes to honor a birthday, anniversary or otheridentified in that notice. The final rule willTributes to honor a birthday, anniversary or otherbe published the fall of 2024 and will discuss special eventspecial event public comments received in response to bothEmployer matching giftsEmployer matching giftsthe NPRM and SNPRM.The Passenger Vessel Foundation, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The Foundation was begun to The Passenger Vessel Foundation, Inc is a 501(c)(3)As of 2023, the regulations proposed under ensure that the passenger vessel industry continues itsVIDA are two years overdue and Coast Guard nonprofit corporation. The Foundation was begun to dedication to furthering education and development ofenforcement regulations are similarly delayed.ensure that the passenger vessel industry continues its safety resources.dedication to furthering education and development ofIntheinterimpendingafinalrule,VIDA For More Information and to Donate Onlineregulationandsupervisionofthemaritime safety resources.Please Visit: pvfoundation.com/donate/ industry continues to be under the 2013 VGP. For More Information and to Donate OnlineAt a PVA Regulatory Committee meeting in February we were told of a vigorous EPA en-Please Visit: pvfoundation.com/donate/ forcement effort under the VGP particularly Supporting the passenger vessel industrythrough education and safety resources. in some parts of the country. This enforce-menthasresultedinsignificantfines.Even Supporting the passenger vessel industry paperwork completed and/or not submitted through education and safety resources. can lead to fines.The VGP requires covered vessels to maintain supervision and control of as many as 27 sys-tems and effluents if present in any particular vessel.Responsibilitiesrequiretrainingof involved crew, monitoring and documenting Contact Us At: routine inspections, conducting comprehen-Email: info@pvfoundation.comWebsite: pvfoundation.com siveannualinspectionanddrydockinspec-FOGHORN 26Contact Us At:Email: info@pvfoundation.comWebsite: pvfoundation.com'