Chapter 1
Garbage
Th e Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships places limitations on the
discharge of garbage from vessels. It is illegal to dump plastic trash
anywhere in the ocean or navigable waters of the United States.
Also, it is illegal to discharge garbage in the navigable waters of the
United States, including the Great Lakes. Th e discharge of other types
of garbage is allowed outside certain specifi ed distances from shore
as determined by the nature of that garbage. Below is a typical label
that may be found on your vessel.
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