Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102

§2503 Prohibition

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

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Public ships or boats may not dump medical waste that could spread infection into ocean waters beginning six months after November 18, 1988. An exception is allowed only if people on board are in danger or during war or a declared national emergency, the dumping happens more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land, and the waste is handled so it will not wash ashore: for non‑submersible vessels the waste must be sterilized, properly packed, and weighted, and for submersibles it must be properly packed and weighted.

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

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102