MARPOL Flashcards
What is MARPOL?
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. The convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO. The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a spate of tanker accidents in 1976-1977. As the 1973 MARPOL Convention had not yet entered into force, the 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed the parent Convention. MARPOL has been updated by amendments through the years. The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations and currently includes six technical Annexes.
What are the 6 annexes of MARPOL?
Annex I—Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil (1983)
Annex II—Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk (1983)
Annex III—Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form (1992)
Annex IV—Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships (2003)
Annex V—Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (1988)
Annex VI—Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (2005)
Aid: Oh no here she goes again
What is a special area? For what reasons?
Sea areas defined under MARPOL annexes I, IV and V where, for recognized technical reasons in relation to their oceanographical and ecological conditions and to the particular character of their sea traffic, the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of pollution is required. Reasons • Technical reasons • Geographical restrictions • Traffic density • Local ecology
What does en route mean?
En route means that the ship is underway at sea on a course or courses, including deviation from the shortest direct route, which, as far as practicable for navigational purposes, will cause any discharge to be spread over as great an area of the sea as is reasonable and practicable.
What are the general requirements under MARPOL Annex I?
Annex I consists of Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil. Applies to all vessels.
Subject to the provisions of the regulations, any discharge into the sea of oil or oily mixtures from ships is prohibited.
Al vessels >400GT must carry an IOPPC, ORB Part I, SOPEP
All tankers >150 GT must carry an IOPPC, ORB part 2, SOPEP
There are specific discharge requirements
Vessels must carry a SOPEP
Vessels must record any record of oil discharge in the Oil Record Book.
There are special areas
What are the discharge requirements under MARPOL Annex I?
Discharge of oil from machinery spaces is prohibited unless:
- the oily mixture is processed through an oil filtering equipment meeting the requirements
- the oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15 parts per million
- Vessel is proceeding en route
- Must have an IOPPC and Form A/B
- Recorded in Oil record book Part 1
- the oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump-room bilges on oil tankers
- the oily mixture, in case of oil tankers, is not mixed with oil cargo residues
If discharging in special areas, or if the vessel exceeds 10,000GT the oil filtering equipment must have an automatic shut-down
It is prohibited to discharge any oil at all in Antarctica. Under the polar code there should be not discharge
What certification is required under MARPOL Annex I?
All ships over 400GT and all tankers over 150GT are required to carry an International Oil Pollution Prevention certificate.
What is an Oil record book? What does it contain?
Part I to be kept by all ships over 400GT, and additionally Part II is for oil tankers over 150GT.
Part I contains the following sections:
• Ballasting or cleaning oil fuel tanks
• Discharge of ballast or cleaning water from oil fuel tanks
• Collection, transfer and Disposal of oily residue (sludge)
• Discharge overboard of bilge water
• Condition of oil filtering equipment
• Accidental or other exceptional discharges of oil
• Bunkering of fuel or bulk lubricating oil.
Must be retained onboard for 3 years
What are the Special areas under MARPOL Annex I?
- Mediterranean Sea
- Baltic sea
- Black sea
- Red sea
- Gulfs area
- Antarctic area
- NW European waters
• Gulf of Aden
• Oman area of the Arabian sea
• Southern South African waters
Tip MBBRGA N GOS
What is a SOPEP? What information is contained in it?
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan. Required under MARPOL Annex I
To be carried by all vessels >400GT and all tankers >150GT.
Developed in accordance with guidance from the organisation. Requires approval by flag state.
Assist personnel in dealing with an unexpected discharge of oil, both operationally and catastrophically. Its purpose is to set in motion the necessary actions to stop or minimize the discharge and mitigate its effects.
Mandatory information to be contained:
• The procedure to be followed by the master to report an oil pollution incident
• The list of authorities or persons to be contacted in the event of an oil pollution incident.
• A detailed description of the action to be taken immediately by persons on board to reduce or control the discharge of oil following the incident.
• The procedures and point of contact on the ship for coordinating shipboard action with national and local authorities in combating the pollution.
List of contacts and authorities must be updated
Non-mandatory information:
- Plans and diagrams. Design and construction.
- Response equipment. Type, quantity, and storage location.
- Public affairs. Policy on dealing with the media.
- Record keeping. Guidance for appropriate record keeping and collecting of samples
- Plan review. Feedback system and periodic review.
- Plan testing. Procedures for training and exercises.
Ref: IMO resolution MEPC.54(32) amended by MEPC.86(44)
What could cause an oil spill?
Operational spills. Pipe leakage, Tank overflow, Hull leakage,
Casualties: Grounding, fire/explosion, collision, hull failure, excessive list, containment system failure, submerged/foundered, wrecked/stranded, Hazardous vapour release
What are the contents of the SOPEP Equipment?
Oil absorbent boom, Oils absorbent pads, PPE, Clean-up equipment, etc…
Who would you contact in the event of an oil spill?
Coastal state contacts (Nearest coastal state), Port contacts (Harbour master), Ship´s interest contacts (Flag state, DPA, P&I club, Insurance)
What precautions would you take during bunkering operations?
Scuppers are blocked No-smoking signs are posted Bravo flag is hoisted Bunker oil delivery note received Fuel sample taken
What are the general requirements under MARPOL Annex IV?
Refers to Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships.
Applies to vessels engaged in international voyages > 400GT and vessels certified to carry more than 15 persons.
Specific discharge requirements
There is one special area.
International sewage pollution prevention certificate is required
What are the discharge requirements under MARPOL Annex IV?
Discharge is prohibited unless:
• The ship has in operation an approved biological sewage treatment plant which has been certified by the Administration to meet the operational requirements, and the effluent shall not produce visible floating solids nor cause discoloration of the surrounding water. Any distance from landed, provided that local regulations don’t prohibit discharge of sewage.
• Sewage which has been comminuted and disinfected using a system approved by the Administration at a distance of more than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land, provided that the ship is en route and proceeding at not less than 4 knots, at a moderate rate of discharge approved by the Administration.
• Sewage which is not comminuted or disinfected at a distance of more than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land, provided that the ship is en route and proceeding at not less than 4 knots at a moderate rate of discharge approved by the Administration.
What certification and documentation is required under MARPOL Annex IV?
An International Sewage pollution prevention certificate is required. Certificate validity of 5 years. Not subject to annual or intermediate surveys.
A survey must be undertaken if any work or repairs have affected the output from the sewage treatment plant.
No records required.
What are the Special areas under MARPOL annex IV?
Baltic sea on the 01st of June 2023. Applies to discharge of raw sewage from passenger vessels.
What are the general requirements under MARPOL Annex V?
Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (1988)
Applies to all vessels irrespective of size and voyage
Specific discharge requirements
Requires garbage record book, Garbage management plan, and placard
There are special areas
