33 CFR § 148.515 - When is an exemption allowed?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s148.515"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 148.515 - When is an exemption allowed?"
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "148.515"
section_name: "When is an exemption allowed?"
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "NN"
subchapter_name: "DEEPWATER PORTS"
part_number: "148"
part_name: "DEEPWATER PORTS: GENERAL"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1504; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1 (75)."
regulatory_source: "USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "148"
---


# 148.515 When is an exemption allowed?

The Commandant (CG-5P) may recommend that MARAD allow an exemption if he or she determines that:

(a) Compliance with the requirement would be contrary to public interest;

(b) Compliance with the requirement would not enhance safety or the health of the environment;

(c) Compliance with the requirement is not practical because of local conditions or because the materials or personnel needed for compliance are unavailable;

(d) National security or national economy justifies a departure from the rules; or

(e) The alternative, if any, proposed in the petition would:

(1) Ensure comparable or greater safety, protection of the environment, and quality of deepwater port construction, maintenance, and operation; and

(2) Be consistent with recognized principles of international law.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39178, July 1, 2013]