Question 1

While on watch at 0300, you observe a sheen on the water alongside and realise fuel oil has escaped from the manifold during a bunkering operation. What are your immediate obligations?

Accepted Answer

Immediate actions: stop the source if possible; inform the master immediately; activate the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP); deploy pollution control equipment (absorbent booms, dispersant if authorised). Reporting obligations under MARPOL Article 8 and Protocol I: the master must report to the nearest coastal state as soon as practicable. The report must include: vessel name, flag, call sign; incident time, type and estimated quantity of substance; position; nature of cargo; and assistance required. Failure to report is an offence separate from the spill itself. MARPOL Protocol I (Reporting requirements for incidents involving harmful substances): any incident involving actual or probable discharge must be reported. There is no minimum volume threshold — any discharge that may cause pollution requires a report. The SOPEP (Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) is required for oil tankers 150 GT+ and all other ships 400 GT+: it contains reporting procedures, flag state and coastal state contacts, and on-board pollution response procedures. Separately, OPRC 1990 (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation) requires national and industry response arrangements. The OOW must act immediately — delay in reporting is treated as seriously as the spill itself by port state and coastal state authorities. In UK waters, report to MCA Maritime Operations Centre.

Question 2

Your examiner asks: "What are the six MARPOL Annexes and what does each cover?" Give a complete answer.

Accepted Answer

Annex I: Oil (mandatory). Annex II: Noxious Liquid Substances in bulk — NLS (mandatory). Annex III: Harmful Substances in packaged form (mandatory). Annex IV: Sewage (mandatory for new ships from 2003; existing ships phased in). Annex V: Garbage (mandatory). Annex VI: Air Pollution from ships — SOx, NOx, ODS, VOC, shipboard incineration (mandatory). All six are now mandatory for parties to MARPOL 73/78. MARPOL 73/78 entered into force 2 October 1983. Originally Annexes I and II were mandatory; III-VI were optional. However, all six are now effectively mandatory as all major flag and port states have ratified all annexes. Key for OOW orals: Annex I (oil) governs the Oil Record Book Part I (machinery space operations) and Part II (cargo/ballast for tankers). Annex V (garbage) governs the Garbage Management Plan and Garbage Record Book. Annex VI (air pollution) includes ECA requirements for 0.1% sulphur fuel in Emission Control Areas (North Sea, Baltic, North American coast, US Caribbean). Candidates must know which annex covers which pollutant — examiners cross-test by describing a pollutant and asking which annex applies.

Question 3

Your vessel is 18 nautical miles offshore in a non-special area. Can you discharge food waste overboard? What about plastic? Describe the MARPOL Annex V discharge requirements.

Accepted Answer

Food waste: may be discharged at least 12nm from nearest land (comminuted/ground food waste at 3nm or more). Plastics: ZERO discharge anywhere at sea — a complete ban regardless of distance or location. Paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles: minimum 12nm from land (not in special areas). Garbage mixed with other substances having different discharge requirements must meet the stricter standard. A Garbage Management Plan and Garbage Record Book are required for vessels 100 GT+. MARPOL Annex V (revised 2013, Reg 3): the key principle is that ALL plastics are banned from any discharge at sea — this is absolute and applies everywhere. Food waste: at least 12nm from nearest land in normal areas; 3nm if comminuted/ground through a screen of no more than 25mm. Special areas (Baltic, Black Sea, Antarctic, etc.): comminuted food waste at 12nm minimum; no other food waste discharge. Dunnage, linings, packing materials: at least 25nm (if not plastic). The Garbage Management Plan (required for ships 100 GT+) must specify procedures for all garbage streams. The Garbage Record Book entries must be made for all discharges overboard and to port reception facilities. Plastic bags used for garbage storage are a common OOW catch question — they must NOT be discharged even if the contents would be allowed.