Environmental Compliance

Question 1

What is IMO?

Answer 1

International Maritime Organisation

Question 2

What is MARPOL?

Answer 2

MARPOL (Maritime Pollution) Regulations 1973/78

Question 3

What is the requirements of a ship with regards to oil discharge when within 12nm of the coast?

Answer 3

The oil content in the discharged water must not exceed 15ppm
The ship is underway with an oil content in the effluent under 15ppm
The ship has in operation an oily water separating filter with an oil discharge monitoring and control system

Question 4

State 6 special areas as defined by IMO.

Answer 4

• Baltic Sea
• North West European Waters (including; North Sea, Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, English Channel, part of the North East Atlantic)
• Mediterranean Sea
• Black Sea
• Gulf
• Gulf of Aden
• Caribbean

Question 5

State four main sources of contamination from a ship.

Answer 5

• Bilges
• Fuel Systems
• Oil Systems
• CPP Systems (Controllable Pitch Propeller)

Question 6

If a MARPOL incident occurs who is informed at sea/in harbour?

Answer 6

Officer of the day in harbour

Officer of duty watch at sea

Question 7

How can oil leakages into the bilge be minimised?

Answer 7

• Keep machinery spotless – easier to identify leaks
• Monitor Lube Oil ready use tanks and investigate any losses
• No surfactants (Chemicals) to be used (“Kleen Break” only (Wet wipes))
• AFFF only in real fire risk situations
• Eductors to be manned when in operation
• Maximise the use of shoreside facilities when alongside

Question 8

What is Black Water?

Answer 8

Black water (Sewage)is defined as the drainage and waste
•WC’s
•Urinals
•WC Scuppers
•Medical compartments
•Any water mixed with this waste

Question 9

What is Grey Water?

Answer 9

• Bathrooms
• Galleys
• Dishwashers
• Laundries
• Sinks

There are no regulations concerning discharge at sea of grey water, only when entering/leaving port and when alongside.

Question 10

What is the regulations with regards to Black Water discharge at
•0-4 nm
•4-12nm
•12nm+

Answer 10

• Within 4NM discharge is only permitted with an IMO approved Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)
• Between 4NM and 12NM discharge is only permitted if an IMO approved system to Comminute and disinfect the sewage is in operation
• Over 12NM from shore no treatment is necessary

Question 11

What is the VPS and what will it consist of?

Answer 11

Vacuum Pumping System

comprises of a “fitted for ship” set of diesel or electric driven pumps, manifolds and hoses, via which all black and grey water discharges can be collected and pumped to the available shore facility

Question 12

What is the bilge system?

Answer 12

A bilge system is fitted to remove excess fluid from machinery space bilges to separate water from oil and discharge oil to sullage tanks by means of an oily water separator, with the water being discharged over board.

Question 13

What is the sullage system?

Answer 13

The sullage system is designed to retain dirty or waste oil/fuel until it can be properly discharged ashore. The discharge from the bilge system is directed to the tanks of the sullage system or overboard when it does not contain oil/fuel and complies with current MARPOL regulations.

Question 14

How do you operate a eductor

Answer 14

Open the discharge over board valve

Open the motive water valve supplied from the HPSWM

Open the bilge suction valves