33 CFR § 157.156 - COW operations: Meeting manual requirements.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s157.156"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 157.156 - COW operations: Meeting manual requirements."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "157.156"
section_name: "COW operations: Meeting manual requirements."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "O"
subchapter_name: "POLLUTION"
part_number: "157"
part_name: "RULES FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT RELATING TO TANK VESSELS CARRYING OIL IN BULK"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1903; 46 U.S.C. 3703, 3703a (note); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Subparts G, H, and I are also issued under section 4115(b), Pub. L. 101-380, 104 Stat. 520; Pub. L. 104-55, 109 Stat. 546."
regulatory_source: "CGD 74-32, 40 FR 48283, Oct. 14, 1975, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "157"
---
# 157.156 COW operations: Meeting manual requirements.
Except as allowed in § 157.158, the master of a foreign tank vessel having a COW system under § 157.10(e), § 157.10a(a)(2), or § 157.10c(b)(2) that has the *Crude Oil Washing Operations and Equipment Manual* approved under § 157.112 and is operating in the navigable waters of the United States or transferring cargo at a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and the master of a U.S. tank vessel having a COW system under § 157.10(e), § 157.10a(a)(2), or § 157.10c(b)(2) shall ensure that during each COW operation—
(a) The procedures listed in the *Crude Oil Washing Operations and Equipment Manual* are followed; and
(b) The characteristics recorded in the *Crude Oil Washing Operations and Equipment Manual* under § 157.150(b) are met.
[CGD 77-058b, 45 FR 43709, June 30, 1980, as amended by CGD 82-28, 50 FR 11628, Mar. 22, 1985]