Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§2503 Prohibition

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 38— - DUMPING OF MEDICAL WASTE BY PUBLIC VESSELS › § 2503

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Starting 6 months after November 18, 1988, government ships must not dump medical waste that could spread disease into ocean waters. An exception is allowed only if people on board are in danger or the country is at war or under a declared national emergency, the dumping is more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land, and the waste is properly packaged and weighted so it will not wash ashore (and, on non‑submersible ships, sterilized first). Public vessel = a government-operated ship. Submersible = a vessel that can go underwater.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §2503

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

After 6 months after November 18, 1988, no public vessel shall dispose of potentially infectious medical waste into ocean waters unless—

(1)(A)the health or safety of individuals on board the vessel is threatened; or

(B)during time of war or a declared national emergency;

(2)the waste is disposed of beyond 50 nautical miles from the nearest land; and

(3)(A)in the case of a public vessel which is not a submersible, the waste is sterilized, properly packaged, and sufficiently weighted to prevent the waste from coming ashore after disposal; and

(B)in the case of a public vessel which is a submersible, the waste is properly packaged and sufficiently weighted to prevent the waste from coming ashore after disposal.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 2503

Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73