The Puget Sound No Discharge Zone applies to all vessels on the effective date of this rule except for:

(1) Tug boats, commercial fishing vessels, small commercial passenger vessels, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research and survey vessels, which have a delayed implementation lasting five years from the effective date for this rule in the Puget Sound No Discharge Zone. The vessels would still be required to comply with existing state and federal discharge regulations in the interim.

(2) Public vessels actively involved in emergency, safety, security, or related contingency operations where it would not be possible to comply with the no discharge zone.