marpol assignment-02

Annex I
. Explain OPA – 90 Legislation
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA-90) is a U.S. federal law designed
to prevent oil spills and improve the response capabilities of ships in
case of an oil spill. Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, OPA-90
mandates that oil-carrying vessels operating in U.S. waters maintain a
Vessel Response Plan (VRP). This plan outlines necessary emergency
response strategies and ensures ships are prepared with equipment,
personnel, and procedures to respond effectively to oil spills.
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. List the equipment that should be available in the SOPEP locker
The SOPEP (Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) locker should
contain:
○ Oil absorbent materials
○ Oil containment booms
○ Scoops or shovels for cleanup
○ Gloves and protective clothing for crew
○ Storage drums for collected oil and waste
○ Portable pumps These materials aid in containing and cleaning up

oil spills and preventing environmental contamination.

. What records are maintained in Oil Record Book Part I & Part II?
○ Part I (Machinery Space Operations): This section includes

records related to machinery space operations, such as:

◆ Ballasting or cleaning of fuel tanks
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◆ Discharge of dirty ballast or water from oil fuel tanks
◆ Collection and disposal of oil residues
◆ Disposal of bilge water
◆ Bunkering operations
○ Part II (Cargo/Ballast Operations): This section is specific to oil

tankers and includes:

◆ Loading, transfer, and discharge of oil cargo
◆ Ballasting and de-ballasting of cargo tanks
◆ Tank cleaning operations
◆ Disposal of residues to shore facilities
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. List the special areas as per MARPOL Annex I
Special areas designated under MARPOL Annex I for oil pollution
prevention include:
○ Mediterranean Sea
○ Baltic Sea
○ Black Sea
○ Red Sea
○ "Gulf" area
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○ Gulf of Aden
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○ Antarctic Area
○ North West European Waters
○ Oman Area of the Arabian Sea
○ Southern South African waters

. Explain the criteria for discharge of oil from machinery spaces of a

ship as per MARPOL Annex I
Discharge of oil or oily mixtures from machinery spaces is allowed
under specific conditions:
○ The ship must be en route.
○ The oil content of the discharge must not exceed 15 parts per

million (ppm) without dilution.

○ The ship must use oil filtering equipment.
○ The discharge should not come from cargo pump-room bilges in

the case of oil tankers.

○ Discharge in special areas has stricter rules, generally requiring the

use of approved oil filtering equipment with an automatic stopping

device.
. Explain the criteria for discharge of oil from cargo spaces of an oil
tanker as per MARPOL Annex I
Oil tankers can discharge oil or oily mixtures from cargo spaces if they
meet these criteria:
○ The tanker is not within a special area.
○ It is more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land.
○ The ship is en route.
○ The instantaneous discharge rate does not exceed 30 liters per

nautical mile.
○ The total quantity of discharge does not exceed 1/30,000 of the

total cargo.
○ The ship is equipped with an Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control

System (ODMCS) and has a slop tank arrangement.

. What is a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)?
A PSSA is a marine area that requires special protection due to its
ecological, socioeconomic, or scientific significance and its
vulnerability to damage by international maritime activities. The
designation of a PSSA allows for additional protective measures, like
traffic routing, to minimize risks from shipping.
. Explain Segregated Ballast Tank, Special Areas, Port State Control
○ Segregated Ballast Tank: These are tanks completely separated

from cargo oil and fuel systems, used solely for ballast water. They
prevent contamination by oil and reduce the risk of oil pollution.
○ Special Areas: Under MARPOL, special areas are sea areas where,

due to technical, ecological, or traffic reasons, stricter controls are

applied to prevent marine pollution. These areas have more
stringent discharge requirements.
○ Port State Control (PSC): This refers to inspections conducted by
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port state authorities on foreign ships to ensure compliance with

international conventions, such as MARPOL. If a vessel does not
comply, PSC can detain it until deficiencies are rectified.
. Explain what factors to adhere to when operating an Oily Water
Separator (OWS)
When operating an Oily Water Separator, consider:
○ Ensuring the oil content of the effluent does not exceed 15 ppm.
○ Proper maintenance and calibration of the equipment.
○ Avoiding discharge in special areas unless approved equipment is

in use.
○ Monitoring discharge parameters continuously to prevent

accidental pollution.
○ Logging OWS operations in the Oil Record Book Part I.

. What is a SOPEP? What does it contain?

SOPEP (Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) is a plan required on
ships to address oil pollution emergencies. It contains:
○ Procedures for reporting oil pollution incidents.
○ Contacts and communication channels in case of a spill.
○ Immediate actions to be taken by the crew to control and mitigate

spills.
○ Equipment list and instructions for using SOPEP materials.

Annex II
. What records are maintained in Cargo Record Book?
The Cargo Record Book is completed on a tank-by-tank basis
whenever operations involving noxious liquid substances occur,
including:
● Loading of cargo
● Internal transfer of cargo
● Unloading of cargo
● Mandatory prewash procedures
● Tank cleaning
● Discharge of tank washings
● Ballasting of cargo tanks Entries must be signed by the responsible

officer and the master, and the book must be preserved for three years
after the last entry.
. Explain the various pollution categories into which Noxious Liquid
substances are classified.
Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS) are divided into four categories
based on the level of hazard:
● Category X: Major hazard to marine resources/human health, with

discharge into the sea prohibited.

● Category Y: Presents hazards that justify limitations on discharge

quantity and quality.

● Category Z: Minor hazard, allowing less stringent discharge
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restrictions.
● Other Substances: Present no harm and are not subject to discharge
requirements.
. What are the requirements of SMPEP as per MARPOL Annex II?
The Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP) is required
for ships of 150 gross tonnage and above. It includes:
● Reporting and response actions for noxious liquid spills
● List of authorities or contacts in case of an incident
● Coordination procedures between ship and local authorities
● It should also meet the guidelines of SOPEP for oil pollution incidents.
. What are the discharge standards for residue/water mixtures of
Noxious Liquid Substances?
Discharge is permitted when:
● The ship is en route at a minimum speed of 7 knots for self-propelled
or 4 knots for non-self-propelled.
● The discharge occurs below the waterline and at least 12 nautical
miles from the nearest land in 25 meters of water depth.
● The mixture complies with the specific discharge standards based on
substance category.
. What are the discharge standards for residues of Noxious Liquid
Substances?
Discharge standards vary by category:
● Category X: Requires prewash before the ship leaves port, with
washings discharged to a reception facility.
● Category Y: Washings discharged to a facility unless alternative
approved methods are in place.
● Category Z: Less stringent requirements but requires that residue
levels be kept within set limits.
. What is the purpose and content of P and A Manual?
The Procedures and Arrangements (P&A) Manual provides guidelines
for handling NLS cargoes. It covers:
● Cargo handling, tank cleaning, residue discharge, and ballasting
procedures
● Prewash and ventilation procedures
● Compliance measures with MARPOL Annex II requirements

Annex III
. What are the requirements regarding Packing, Marking, Labeling,
and Documentation of Harmful Substances in Package form as per
MARPOL Annex III?
Requirements include:
● Packing: Containers and tanks must minimize environmental hazards.
● Marking/Labeling: Packages must be labeled with the correct

technical name and marked as a marine pollutant.

● Documentation: Proper shipping documentation must accompany the
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cargo, identifying substances as "MARINE POLLUTANT."

● Prohibited Substances: Some substances may be restricted or
banned based on the quantity and ship type.
● Jettisoning Restrictions: Harmful substances cannot be jettisoned
except to secure the ship or save lives.
Annex IV
. Describe International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate
with respect to Surveys, Issuance of Cert., Form of Cert.,
Duration, and Validity of Cert.
The International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPP) is
issued after survey by the administration to ships that comply with
MARPOL Annex IV requirements on sewage discharge. Surveys ensure
the vessel's sewage systems (treatment, comminuting, disinfecting,
and holding tanks) meet operational standards. This certificate is valid
for up to 5 years and includes the ship's particulars, details of sewage
equipment, and the conditions met for compliance.
. Explain the criteria for discharge of Sewage from ships as per
MARPOL Annex IV
Discharge of sewage into the sea is restricted as follows:
● Treated Sewage: Can be discharged at a distance of more than 3

nautical miles from the nearest land if comminuted and disinfected by

an approved system.
● Untreated Sewage: Can only be discharged at a distance of more

than 12 nautical miles from land, at a moderate rate while the ship is en
route and moving at no less than 4 knots.
. What is ISPP Certificate & its validity?
The International Sewage Pollution Prevention (ISPP) Certificate
confirms that a vessel complies with MARPOL Annex IV’s sewage
treatment requirements. It is valid for a maximum of 5 years, subject to
annual or intermediate surveys for renewal.
. and Q22. What are provisions in MARPOL for discharging Sewage
using following systems:
● i) Sewage Comminuting and Disinfecting System: Sewage treated

by this system can be discharged at least 3 nautical miles from land. It

must be processed at a moderate rate with the ship traveling at 4
knots or more.
● ii) Holding Tank System for retention of Sewage: If not discharged

under conditions above, sewage must be held in a tank and

discharged to shore reception facilities or beyond 12 nautical miles
from the nearest land.
. Q23.Define Sewage
Sewage includes drainage from toilets, urinals, hospital facilities,
drainage from spaces containing living animals, and other waste water
mixed with the aforementioned drainages.
 . Q.24 Explain a Sewage Treatment Plant
A Sewage Treatment Plant on ships typically involves:
● Aeration Chamber: Where sewage undergoes biological

decomposition by aerobic bacteria.

● Settling Tank: For separation of solid sludge from treated water.
● Chlorination & Collection Chamber: Where effluent is disinfected

before discharge. Proper operation requires maintaining air pressure

and pH balance, and preventing entry of foreign substances.

Annex V
. List the designated Special Areas for Annex V of MARPOL
Special Areas include:
● Mediterranean Sea
● Baltic Sea
● Black Sea
● Red Sea
● "Gulf" area
● North Sea
● Antarctic Area
● Wider Caribbean Region including the Gulf of Mexico.

. Define: i) Garbage ii) Operational Waste

● Garbage: Refers to all kinds of food waste, domestic waste,

operational waste, cargo residues, incinerator ashes, cooking oil,

fishing gear, and animal carcasses generated during the operation of
the ship.
● Operational Waste: Waste related to the operation of the ship,

excluding cargo residues.

. What garbage is permitted to be discharged into the Baltic Sea
and under what conditions?
Within the Baltic Sea special area, only food waste that has been
ground to pass through a screen with openings of no larger than
25mm may be discharged, and only when the ship is more than 12
nautical miles from the nearest land.
. Explain the criteria for discharge of Garbage from ships as per
MARPOL Annex V
● All plastics and synthetic materials are strictly prohibited from being

discharged.
● Food waste can be discharged if it is ground to pass through a 25mm

screen and the ship is at least 3 nautical miles from land.

● Cargo residues and wash waters have additional restrictions

depending on their classification.

. What is the criterion for ship-board garbage discharged at sea
outside special areas?
Outside special areas:
● Food waste may be discharged if at least 3 nautical miles from land.
 ● Other garbage types, like dunnage and cargo residues, must be 12
nautical miles from land.
. Explain Garbage Management Plan
A Garbage Management Plan outlines procedures for collecting,
storing, processing, and disposing of garbage, specifying how crew
and passengers should manage waste to comply with MARPOL. It
includes procedures for waste reduction, recycling, and use of
onboard equipment like incinerators.
. Write short notes on: Garbage Management Plan and Garbage
Record Book
● Garbage Management Plan: Required for ships of 400 GT and above,

detailing waste handling and disposal methods.

● Garbage Record Book: Records all garbage disposal and discharge

operations, including dates, types, and quantities. Each entry must be

signed by the officer in charge
Annex VI
. Describe the MARPOL requirements for Shipboard Incineration to
control pollution by emission from ship.
MARPOL reg-16 requires that shipboard incinerators operate within a
temperature range of 850°C to 1200°C. Incineration of harmful
substances like plastics containing halogen compounds is prohibited
unless the incinerator is specially equipped. Shipboard incineration of
substances covered by other Annexes (e.g., oil) must comply with
specific incineration standards (Course Notes Tolani).
. What are the provisions in MARPOL to control pollution by Sulphur
oxides and particulate matter?
Ships operating within Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) must
use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.1% m/m or apply an
exhaust gas cleaning system to meet the emissions limits. Global
sulphur content is capped at 0.5% m/m. Ships must switch to
compliant fuel at least 12 nautical miles from shore in SECA-
designated areas (Course Notes Tolani).
. What are the requirements of VOC management Plan?
The VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) Management Plan is required
for oil tankers, aiming to control emissions during loading, transport,
and unloading of volatile organic cargoes. The plan includes measures
to minimize the release of VOCs, especially from crude oil, and is
verified for compliance by the ship’s flag state (Course Notes Tolani).
. Explain the criteria for NOx emissions from ships as per MARPOL
Annex VI.
NOx emissions from diesel engines over 130 kW are regulated based
on the ship’s construction date. The NOx Technical Code defines the
emission limits, which vary according to the engine's rated speed.
Ships in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) must meet even stricter NOx
 emission standards by using technologies such as Selective Catalytic
Reduction (SCR) systems (Course Notes Tolani) (Course Notes Tolani).
. Explain the criteria for SOx emissions from ships as per MARPOL
Annex VI.
Ships must either use low-sulphur fuel oil or adopt an exhaust gas
cleaning system to comply with SOx limits. Within SECAs, the sulphur
content in fuel must not exceed 0.1% m/m. Outside these areas, the
global limit for fuel sulphur content is 0.5% m/m. Fuel changeover logs
are required when entering or exiting SECAs (Course Notes Tolani).
. What is IAPP Certificate and its validity.
The International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate is issued to
ships over 400 GT and confirms compliance with MARPOL Annex VI.
Valid for up to five years, it requires initial, annual, and renewal surveys
for ongoing certification (Course Notes Tolani).
. List the Emission Control Areas (ECA) as per MARPOL Annex VI.
ECAs designated under MARPOL Annex VI include:
● The Baltic Sea area
● The North Sea area
● The North American area (coastal waters of the USA and Canada)
● The United States Caribbean Sea area (Puerto Rico and the US Virgin
Islands) (Course Notes Tolani).
. Explain the operating limits for a shipboard Incinerator.
Shipboard incinerators must maintain a temperature between 850°C
and 1200°C. Waste is fed continuously under controlled conditions,
and no substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are
allowed for incineration (Course Notes Tolani).
. Explain the information contained in “Bunker Delivery Note”.
The Bunker Delivery Note must include:
● Name and IMO number of receiving ship
● Port of bunkering
● Fuel type and sulphur content
● Quantity in metric tons
● Supplier’s details
● Signed declaration that the fuel meets MARPOL requirements (Course
Notes Tolani).
. What are the emissions from the ship included in Annex VI of
MARPOL?
Annex VI addresses emissions from:
● Sulphur oxides (SOx)
● Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
● Ozone-depleting substances
● Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
● Incinerator emissions
● Particulate matter (PM) (Course Notes Tolani).
. What are provisions in MARPOL for controlling pollution by Volatile
 .
Organic Compounds?
MARPOL Annex VI requires tankers to have a VOC Management Plan
to control emissions during the handling of volatile organic cargoes.
The plan reduces atmospheric pollution by limiting the venting of
gases during loading and unloading (Course Notes Tolani).
. Explain the criteria for SOx & NOx emissions from ships as per
MARPOL Annex VI.
● SOx: In SECAs, the sulphur content must be under 0.1%, while

globally, it is capped at 0.5%.

● NOx: NOx emissions depend on engine speed, with specific limits set

for Tier I, II, and III engines, where Tier III engines are mandatory in
ECAs
Ballast Water Management
. Why is it necessary to manage Ballast water before arriving
loading port?
Managing ballast water before arrival at a loading port prevents the
introduction of non-native species to local marine environments, which
can cause ecological damage. Ballast water can carry organisms and
pathogens that harm biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems in the
receiving waters (Course Notes Tolani).
. What are the conditions to satisfy while carrying out ballast water
exchange?
Ballast water exchange must be conducted:
● At least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land.
● In water at least 200 meters deep.
● Using approved methods such as Empty and Refill, Flow-through, or

Dilution to ensure a 95% volumetric exchange (Course Notes Tolani).

. Explain a Ballast Water Treatment system.
Ballast Water Treatment Systems use a combination of mechanical
filtration, chemical treatments (e.g., chlorination), and physical
disinfection (e.g., UV treatment) to treat ballast water onboard ships.
The system removes or neutralizes harmful aquatic organisms and
pathogens before discharge, meeting the BWM Convention standards
(Course Notes Tolani).
. Describe D1 and D2 standard of Ballast water management.
● D1 Standard (Ballast Water Exchange Standard): Involves the

exchange of ballast water in open seas, achieving at least a 95%

volumetric replacement.
● D2 Standard (Ballast Water Performance Standard): Requires

treated ballast water to meet specific discharge criteria, with limits on

viable organisms and indicator microbes to prevent ecological harm
(Course Notes Tolani).
. What records are required to be maintained as per BWM
convention?
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Ships must maintain a Ballast Water Record Book, documenting:

● Uptake, exchange, and discharge of ballast water.
● Exceptional ballast water discharge events.
● Any ballast water treatment procedures used (Course Notes Tolani).

Anti-fouling Systems Convention

. Why is it necessary to control use of Anti-fouling paint on the hull
of a ship?
Controlling anti-fouling paint use is essential to prevent harmful
biocides, like tributyltin (TBT), from leaching into marine
environments. Such chemicals harm marine life, disrupt food chains,
and degrade ecosystems (Course Notes Tolani).
. What are the alternate anti-fouling systems available?
Alternatives to harmful paints include:
● Foul-release coatings: Smooth surfaces preventing organism

attachment.
● Biocide-free hard coatings: Allow for mechanical cleaning without

leaching toxins.
● Silicone-based coatings: Reduce drag and are eco-friendly (Course

Notes Tolani).
. Explain the IMO regulation for Anti-Fouling Paints.
The IMO's Anti-Fouling Convention prohibits the use of harmful
organotins like TBT in anti-fouling paints on ships and requires ships to
use certified and safe anti-fouling systems. Compliance includes
inspections and certificates documenting safe coatings (Course Notes
Tolani).
. Describe the harmful effects of Anti-fouling paint which led to
International Convention on Anti-fouling paint.
Harmful anti-fouling paints, particularly those containing TBT, caused
severe environmental damage, such as reproductive issues in marine
organisms (e.g., imposex in snails), contaminating water bodies and
affecting marine biodiversity. This prompted the IMO to adopt
regulations to ban these substances (Course Notes Tolani).
. What are the alternative systems to Antifouling paints having
TBT?
Alternatives to TBT-based paints include:
● Silicone-based foul-release coatings
● Non-toxic hard coatings for smooth surfaces
● Hydrogel-based coatings to prevent organism attachment without

leaching
NPDES/SHIP RECYCLING/NRC
. Explain National Response Centre with respect to pollution
prevention.
The National Response Center (NRC) is operated by the U.S. Coast
.

Guard and serves as the primary federal point of contact for reporting
all types of environmental discharges, such as oil, chemicals, and
hazardous substances. The NRC is responsible for alerting the
designated On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) to initiate the federal
response capabilities under the National Contingency Plan. The NRC
also maintains a database of spill records and manages maritime
reports of suspicious activity (Course Notes Tolani).
. Explain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
of the U.S.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was
established as part of the Clean Water Act in 1972 to regulate
discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters. It requires vessels and
facilities to obtain permits specifying pollution limits and compliance
obligations. The Vessel General Permit (VGP) under NPDES regulates
discharges incidental to normal vessel operations, including ballast
water, bilge water, and graywater (Course Notes Tolani).
. Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a comprehensive U.S. federal law
aimed at regulating and reducing pollution in the nation's waters.
Initially enacted in 1948 and significantly amended in 1972, the CWA
mandates water quality standards, establishes pollution control
programs, and includes provisions for effluent limits and permits under
the NPDES (Course Notes Tolani).
. Describe the National Response System of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The National Response System (NRS) is a network of teams,
agencies, and organizations that collaborate on responses to oil and
hazardous substance releases. Led by the Coast Guard, the NRS
follows the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP), which coordinates federal response and
ensures the availability of federal resources and expertise. The system
includes designated On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) and Regional
Response Teams (RRTs) to handle incidents beyond local or state
capacities (Course Notes Tolani) (Course Notes Tolani).
. How are ships recycled in Developing Countries?
Ships are often recycled in countries such as India, Bangladesh,
Pakistan, and China, where labor is inexpensive, and environmental
regulations may be less stringent. Ship recycling, though sustainable
in terms of material reuse, poses risks due to hazardous materials,
leading to dangerous working conditions and environmental hazards.
The Hong Kong Convention was adopted to address these issues,
establishing safe practices for ship dismantling to protect human
health and the environment (Course Notes Tolani).
. Enumerate the main operational discharges to be monitored under
the Vessel General Permit (VGP) of the NPDES.
The Vessel General Permit (VGP) includes monitoring and regulation
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for various types of discharges, such as:

● Deck runoff and above-water line hull cleaning
● Bilge water and oily water separator effluent
● Ballast water
● Anti-fouling leachate
● Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)
● Boiler blowdown
● Cathodic protection effluent
● Graywater
● Cooling water and stern tube discharges