CFR > Title 46 - Shipping > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER D—TANK VESSELS (parts 30 to 39) > PART 32—SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY, AND HULL REQUIREMENTS > SUBPART 32.53—Inert Gas System (§32.53-1 to §32.53-30) > 32.53-3—Exemptions.

32.53-3—Exemptions.

(a) The Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection grants exemptions for crude oil tankers of less than 40,000 deadweight tons not fitted with high capacity tank washing machines, if the vessel's owner can show that compliance would be unreasonable and impracticable due to the vessel's design characteristics.
(b) Requests for exemptions must be submitted in writing to: Commandant (CG-522), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd St. SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC 20593-7126.
(c) Each request must be supported by documentation showing that:
(1) The system would be detrimental to the safe operation of the vessel;
(2) It is physically impracticable to install the system; or
(3) Adequate maintenance of the system would be impossible.
(d) The vessel's owner may request a conference. The exemption request file will be available for use in the conference and additional arguments or evidence in any form may be presented. The conference will be recorded. The presiding officer summarizes the material presented at the conference and submits written recommendations to the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.
(e) The Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection reviews the exemption request file and decides whether to grant or deny the exemption. The decision shall include an explanation of the basis on which the exemption is granted or denied, and constitutes final agency action.
[CGD 77-057a, 44 FR 66502, Nov. 19, 1979, as amended by CGD 82-063b, 48 FR 29486, June 27, 1983; CGD 88-070, 53 FR 34534, Sept. 7, 1988; CGD 95-072, 60 FR 50461, Sept. 29, 1995; CGD 96-041, 61 FR 50727, Sept. 27, 1996; CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51043, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49227, Sept. 25, 2009]