Coast Guard’s pollution response mission involves preventing, preparing for, and responding to oil and hazardous substance discharges to protect the marine environment. This is achieved through a multi-faceted approach that includes inspecting vessels for compliance, enforcing regulations, conducting surveillance, and leading or coordinating the cleanup of spills. The Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center also administers funding for responses and compensation through the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. 

Key components of the mission

• Prevention: The Coast Guard works to prevent pollution from occurring in the first place by inspecting vessels and facilities to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and international agreements. They also promote compliance by working with local agencies on issues like providing facilities for vessel garbage.
• Enforcement: This involves using civil and criminal penalties to penalize those who pollute or fail to adhere to regulations.
• Surveillance: The Coast Guard conducts patrols, boardings, and overflights to monitor for potential pollution incidents.
• Response: When a spill occurs, the Coast Guard is the lead federal agency for preparedness and response for oil and hazardous substance releases in the coastal zone. They coordinate cleanup operations, deploy specialized teams, and manage the response effort.
• Funding and compensation: The National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) manages the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF), which provides funds for response activities and compensates for damages from oil spills. The NPFC also administers other funds and ensures responsible parties are held accountable through cost recovery. 

Supporting structures and functions

• National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC):Administers the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and other federal funds to finance responses and compensate for damages.
• National Strike Force (NSF): A specialized team of highly trained members who respond to major oil and hazardous substance pollution incidents using specialized equipment.
• Marine Environmental Response Policy (CG-MER): Provides guidance, policy, and tools for Coast Guard response planning and operations.
• Marine Science Technicians (MSTs): Specialized personnel who are on the front lines of the mission, performing inspections, responding to incidents, and enforcing regulations. 
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  The U.S. Coast Guard’s pollution response mission involves serving as the 
  lead federal agency for preparedness and response to oil and hazardous substance releases in the coastal zone. The mission includes a comprehensive approach centered on prevention, enforcement, surveillance, and response to safeguard marine environments. 
  
  Key Components of the Mission
  Prevention & Preparedness: The Coast Guard develops and enforces regulations to stop pollution before it happens, including inspecting vessels and facilities, and ensuring vessels have required equipment and procedures. It requires oil-carrying vessels to demonstrate the financial ability (Certificates of Financial Responsibility) to cover cleanup costs in the event of a spill.
  Response Operations: When a discharge occurs, the Coast Guard coordinates response efforts with federal, state, local, and civilian partners. As the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) in the coastal zone, the Coast Guard can access funds from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) for rapid containment, cleanup, and disposal activities.
  Enforcement & Investigation: The mission includes enforcing domestic and international laws and treaties, such as the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Clean Water Act, and MARPOL Annex V. This involves civil and criminal penalties for illegal acts and recovering cleanup costs from the responsible parties.
  Specialized Teams:Marine Science Technicians (MSTs): These specialists are central to the mission, conducting inspections, responding to incidents, and enforcing regulations at ports, facilities, and on vessels.
  National Strike Force (NSF): A specialized, highly trained team of over 200 members that provides rapid response to major environmental disasters nationwide, including the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Strike Teams. 
  
  Collaborations
  The Coast Guard does not operate alone and is part of the broader National Response System. It works closely with other agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (which typically leads in the inland zone), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and state and local entities to mitigate environmental damage. 
  Overall, the mission aims to protect public health, safety, the environment, and U.S. economic interests from the impacts of oil discharges and hazardous material releases. 
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  The U.S. Coast Guard’s pollution response mission is guided by several key pieces of U.S. legislation and international treaties
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  U.S. Legislation
  The primary domestic laws are: 
  Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90): Enacted in response to the Exxon Valdez spill, OPA 90 is a cornerstone of the Coast Guard’s authority. It:Streamlined and strengthened the ability to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills.
  Mandated contingency planning, requiring vessels and facilities to have approved response plans in place.
  Established the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) to finance cleanups when a responsible party is unknown or unable/unwilling to pay.
  Increased penalties and expanded liability for polluters.
  Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) / Clean Water Act (CWA): The CWA establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters. OPA 90 amended the CWA and the two acts together provide the overarching legal framework for water pollution control.
  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980: Also known as “Superfund,” this act addresses releases of hazardous substances (not specifically oil). The National Pollution Funds Center administers the Coast Guard’s portion of the Superfund for hazardous material cleanup.
  Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS): This act is the U.S. implementing legislation for the international MARPOL convention. 
  
  International Treaties
  The Coast Guard enforces several international agreements, primarily through the U.S. implementing legislation (APPS): 
  International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78): This is a key international treaty for preventing marine pollution from operational or accidental causes by ships. The United States is a party to several of its Annexes, and the Coast Guard enforces compliance with:Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil.
  Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.
  Annex V: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, which includes a general global ban on the dumping of plastics at sea.
  London Convention and London Protocol: These international treaties aim to prevent marine pollution caused by ocean dumping of wastes and other matter. The United States participates in these through the domestic Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA).