Which organization is responsible for regulating large passenger vessels?

The correct organization responsible for regulating large passenger vessels is the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO's primary role is to create a safe, equitable, and efficient shipping industry while minimizing pollution from ships. It develops regulatory frameworks that countries around the world implement to ensure the safety of large passenger vessels, including standards for vessel construction, equipment, crew training, and operational procedures.

The IMO's influence is crucial, as it sets regulations that member states are expected to adopt. This includes conventions like the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), both of which are fundamental for the operation of passenger vessels.

While the United States Coast Guard does enforce and implement U.S. laws and regulations concerning maritime safety and security, its authority is within the context of U.S. waters and does not extend to the international regulatory framework for large passenger vessels, which is overseen by the IMO. Similarly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have specific responsibilities that do not involve comprehensive oversight of maritime safety and operations for large passenger vessels.