(a) An owner or operator of a ship to which this subpart applies must review the shipboard oil pollution emergency plan annually and submit a letter to Commandant (CG-CVC-1) certifying that the review has been completed. This review must occur within 1 month of the anniversary date of Coast Guard approval of the plan.

(b) The owner or operator shall submit any plan amendments to Commandant (CG-CVC-1) for information or approval.

(c) The entire plan must be resubmitted to Commandant (CG-CVC-1) for reapproval 6 months before the end of the Coast Guard approval period identified in § 151.27(e) of this subpart.

(d) A record of annual review and changes to the plan must be maintained in the last appendix of section six of the plan.

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, revisions must receive prior approval by the Coast Guard before they can be incorporated into the plan.

(f) Revisions to the seventh section of the plan and the appendices do not require approval by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard shall be advised and provided a copy of the revisions as they occur.

(g) Plans, including revisions, should be submitted electronically by using the Vessel Response Plan Electronic Submission Tool available at https://homeport.uscg.mil/vrpexpress.

(h) If plans are submitted in paper format, owners or operators should use CG Form “Application for Approval/Revision of Vessel Pollution Response Plans” (CG-6083) located at: http://www.uscg.mil/forms/CG/CG_6083.pdf in lieu of a cover letter to request the required resubmission, plan amendment, or revision.