BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 04 - Safe Responsible Boat Operation

Information Placards and Waste Management Plans

Depending on the length of your boat, you may be required to display the following signage on board:

Oil Placard:

Boats over 26 feet in length that are operating on federal waters must have an Oil Placard on display. This placard must be in a visible location so that passengers can reference it for the oil discharge laws. The Oil Placard must be at least 5x8 inches in size and must display the following message:

‘Discharge of Oil Prohibited':

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste upon or into any navigable waters of the U.S. This prohibition includes any discharge that causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water, or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to substantial civil and/or criminal sanctions, including fines and imprisonment.’

Garbage Disposal Placard:

If your boat is over 26 feet in length and you’re operating on federal waters, you must also display a Garbage Disposal Placard or ‘Save Our Seas’ placard. These placards must be at least 4x9 inches in size and describe the rules for discarding waste offshore.

Waste Management Plan:

If your boat is over 40 feet in length, it has sleeping and/or cooking compartments and it’s meant to be operated more than 3 miles away from shore, it will also require a Waste Management Plan. This document must be written, made visible and put into action by the boat captain. The information on the waste management plan must include: