After 6 months after November 18, 1988, no public vessel shall dispose of potentially infectious medical waste into ocean waters unless⁠—

(1) (A)  the health or safety of individuals on board the vessel is threatened; or

(B)  during time of war or a declared national emergency;

(2)  the waste is disposed of beyond 50 nautical miles from the nearest land; and

(3) (A)  in the case of a public vessel which is not a submersible, the waste is sterilized, properly packaged, and sufficiently weighted to prevent the waste from coming ashore after disposal; and

(B)  in the case of a public vessel which is a submersible, the waste is properly packaged and sufficiently weighted to prevent the waste from coming ashore after disposal.