No. 0186 Vessel General Permit – VGP

Q1: Which one of the following best describes the discharges controlled by the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: 27 specific types of discharge

Q2: Which of the following was the main reason for the Vessel General Permit (VGP) being introduced in 2008?
A: Clean Water Act

Q3: Which one of the following best describes the ships that are allowed to use the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: Commercial ships over 70 feet long and non-recreational vessels

Q4: Which one of the following best describes the ships that must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) in order to be allowed to use the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: Ships over 300 GT or those that carry more than 8 m3 of ballast

Q5: Which of the following best describes how the ship can prove a Notice of Intent (NOT) under the Vessel General Permit (VGP) scheme has been submitted at the correct time?
A: The status of NOI processing can be viewed via the EPA website

Q6: Which of the following best describes the method of submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) under the Vessel General Permit (VGP) scheme?
A: It must be submitted electronically via the EPA’s eNOI system

Q7: Which of the following best describes the Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements for condensate discharges from refrigeration and air conditioning plant?
A: Oils and toxic materials must be excluded from condensate discharges

Q8: Which of the following best describes the requirements of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) for liquids collected in elevator shaft pits?
A: In permit waters it must be discharged overboard through an oily water separator

Q9: Which of the following best describes one of the specific requirements of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) for discharges from chain lockers?
A: Chain lockers must be cleaned thoroughly during dry docking

Q10: Which of the following discharge sources does the Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulate?
A: Discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel engaged in transportation

Q11: The Vessel General Permit (VGP) controls oil/sea interfaces like CPP and stern tube seals. Which of the following is also considered and oil/sea interface by the VGP?
A: Lubricated wire ropes and chains subject to immersion

Q12: Which of the following best describes a specific requirement of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) for oily bilge water discharges from a ship of more than 400 gross tons?
A: Do not discharge while in waters federally protected for conservation purposes

Q13: Which of the following best describes the action required by the ship’s watch ratings to keep the ship compliant with the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: Regular visual monitoring of the water around the ship

Q14: Apart from the EPA who else is empowered to inspect ships to ensure that the Vessel General Permit (VGP) is complied with?
A: The US Coast Guard

Q15: Which one of the following is required as part of the dry dock inspections required by the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: Cathodic protection anodes be cleaned and/or replaced to reduce flaking

Q16: How often is a report of non-compliances required to be submitted to the EPA on behalf of each ship using the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: Every year

Q17: Which one of the following best describes the weekly inspections required by the Vessel General Permit (VGP)?
A: A visual inspection of safely accessible deck and cargo areas and areas where chemicals, oils, dry cargo or other materials are stored, mixed, and used

Q18: Which of the following is the maximum time normally allowed for corrective action if a violation of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) is found to have resulted in a need for replacement parts?
A: 3 months

Q19: How many violations of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) is a ship guilty of if paint chips have been allowed to wash off the deck into permit waters for 8 consecutive days?
A: 8

Q20: Which of the following best describes the action to be taken if a violation of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) discharge conditions is discovered by a crew member?
A: An assessment must be carried out by the ship into the nature, cause, and potential options for eliminating the problem

References:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/vgp_factsheet_english.pdf
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/vgp_permit2013.pdf