Utilization of NPDES-VGP for cooperate environmental awareness

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a system under the US environmental protection rules (Clean Water Act) to minimize pollution within US territorial waters (3 nm). Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements are additional to international environmental rules stated in MARPOL Convention (1973/1978). VGP will require a detailed review of environmental protection systems, crew training and recordkeeping. The rules have been in force since the beginning of 2009. This study analyses the new requirements of VGP while underscoring the needs for preparations by ship owners/operators in order to be ready for inspections that is concurrently handling in US ports. Meanwhile the discharges' influence on human health, biodiversity, ecosystem function, fishery conditions and opportunities for better recreation were discussed in order to fortify the corollary why these measures should be implemented on a worldwide base. Therefore it is also proposed for the other nations could benchmark and implement similar approaches in their coastal management or in their territories for providing a better enhanced environmental protection which might mainly has already been causing by commercial ships.