MARPOL

Question 1

What is MARPOL?

Answer 1

The International Convention for the Prevention of pollution from Ships (MARPOL), came into force in 1978 and contains the regulations aimed at preventing and minimising pollution from ships

It covers both accidental pollution and pollution that could occur from routine operations

There six annexes in total, which contain technical information for ships and operators

Question 2

What are the annexes in MARPOL?

Answer 2

Annex I = Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Annex II = Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
Annex III = Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form
Annex IV = Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from ships
Annex V = Prevention of pollution by Garbage from ships
Annex VI = Prevention of Air Pollution from ships

Question 3

What is a MARPOL special area?

Answer 3

As part of the MARPOL convention, contain sea areas have been designated as special areas, this is due to the environmental, oceanographical and traffic factors. Methods of prevention of sea pollution are mandatory in these areas.

Question 4

Give some examples of MARPOL special areas?

Answer 4

• Med sea
• Baltic sea
• Black sea
• Antarctic sea

Question 5

What is a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area?

Answer 5

This is an area given additional protection. To reduce the risk of an incident within a PSSA, specific measures cnan be introduced such as, ship routeing measures, strict application of MARPOL discharge or installations of VTS’s.

Question 6

Give some examples of PSSA’s?

Answer 6

• The Great Barrier Reef

- The Baltic sea areas

Question 7

What is a SOPEP plan?

Answer 7

All tankers over 150gt and all ships over 400gt must have a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan and is a mandatory requirement under annex 1 of MARPOL

Question 8

What are the contents of a SOPEP plan?

Answer 8

- Mandatory requirements 
1 - Notification of the nearest coastal area in the vent of an actual or probable discharge 
2 - List of persons to be contacted 
3 - Coastal state contacts
4 - Port contacts 
5 - Ship interest contacts 
6 - Steps to control discharge 
7 - Priority actions 

- Non-mandatory requirements 
1 - Plans and diagrams 
2 - Response equipment 
3 - Public affairs 
4 - Record keeping 
5 - Plan review 
6 - Plan testing

Question 9

What is the garbage management plan?

Answer 9

It is mandatory for all ships over 400gt and contains:
1 - Procedures for collecting garbage
2 - Procedures for processing garbage
3 - Procedures for storing garbage or reusable or recyclable material
4 - Procedures for discharging garbage
5 - Procedures for discharge to a port reception facility

Question 10

What anti-pollution would you find in the SOPEP locker?

Answer 10

• Roll of plastic bags
• 3 x sorbent pads
• 6 x spill kit gloves
• 6 x one use protective suits
• 6 x safety boots
• 25ltr of water based clearing chemical
• 1 x jet spray
• 5ltr of natural hand cleaner
• 2 x oil spill kit bags
• 1 x sorbent rolls
• sorbent boom
• safety goggles