Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for any person-
Except as provided in subsection (c), no vessel shall bear on its hull or outer surface any antifouling system containing organotin, regardless of when such system was applied, unless that vessel bears an overcoating which forms a barrier to organotin leaching from the underlying antifouling system.
Subsection (b) does not apply to fixed or floating platforms, FSUs, or FPSOs that were constructed prior to January 1, 2003, and that have not been in dry dock on or after that date.
This section does not apply to-
33 U.S.C. § 3841
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThis chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1), (4), (5) and (c)(2)(A), was in the original "this title", meaning title X of Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 3023, which enacted this chapter and repealed chapter 37 (§2401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of title X to the Code, see Tables.
- Administrator
- The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Convention
- The term "Convention" means the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001, including its annexes, and including any amendments to the Convention or annexes which have entered into force for the United States.
- United States
- The term "United States" means the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and any other territory or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction.
- antifouling system
- The term "antifouling system" means a coating, paint, surface treatment, surface, or device that is used or intended to be used on a vessel to control or prevent attachment of unwanted organisms.
- organotin
- The term "organotin" means any compound or additive of tin bound to an organic ligand, that is used or intended to be used as biocide in an antifouling system.
- sell or distribute
- The term "sell or distribute" means to distribute, sell, offer for sale, hold for distribution, hold for sale, hold for shipment, ship, deliver for shipment, release for shipment, import, export, hold for import, hold for export, or receive and (having so received) deliver or offer to deliver.
- use
- The term "use" includes application, reapplication, installation, or any other employment of an antifouling system.