MARPOL 73/78: Marine Pollution

Questions and Answers

What is the primary effect of marine pollution on the ocean's surface?

It blankets the surface, interfering with the oxygen exchange between the sea and the atmosphere (correct)

It blocks the sunlight, affecting marine life

It increases the water temperature, affecting marine life

It increases the oxygen exchange between the sea and atmosphere

What is a possible consequence of pollutants entering seawater distilling inlets?

Contamination of drinking water (correct)

Disruption of marine life habitats

Damage to shipping vessels

Increased risk of accidents on oil rigs

Which of the following is NOT a main source of marine pollution?

Domestic wastes

Run-off from agricultural pesticides and herbicides

Radioactive waste disposal (correct)

Oil exploration and exploitation activities

What is a possible cause of pollution from shipping and maritime activities?

Accidents such as grounding or collision Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the International Convention Relating to the Intervention of the High Seas in case of Oil pollution (Intervention), 1969?

To provide a framework for intervention in case of oil pollution in the high seas Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of pollutants entering the food chain?

Toxic effects on humans and animals that consume contaminated seafood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of operational pollution from ships?

Loading, discharging, and lightering Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern related to pollution from agricultural activities?

Run-off from agricultural pesticides and herbicides Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern for IMO in the 1960s?

Maritime trade regulations Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate amount of crude oil spilled into the sea by the Torrey Canyon in 1967?

120,000 tons Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 1969 IMO Assembly decision?

The convening of an international conference in 1973 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the 1973 Convention?

Prevention of operational pollution Signup and view all the answers

What was added to OILPOL 1954 in 1971?

Limits on the size of oil tanker tanks Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Annex I of the 1973 Convention?

To prevent oil pollution from ships Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Torrey Canyon incident in 1967?

It exposed deficiencies in the existing system for providing compensation following accidents at sea Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the Extraordinary session of the IMO Council in 1967?

The development of a plan of action on technical and legal aspects of the Torrey Canyon incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the plan outlined in the MARPOL Convention?

To provide a procedure for reporting oil pollution incidents Signup and view all the answers

In what language must the plan be written?

The working language of the master and officers Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum requirement for the plan?

It must include a procedure for reporting oil pollution incidents Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the combined plan for ships that also apply to regulation 17 of Annex II of the Convention?

Shipboard marine pollution emergency plan Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the list of authorities or persons to be contacted in the event of an oil pollution incident?

To identify points of contact for reporting incidents Signup and view all the answers

Why is a detailed description of the action to be taken immediately by persons on board necessary?

To reduce or control the discharge of oil following an incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the procedures and point of contact on the ship for coordinating shipboard action with national and local authorities?

To coordinate shipboard action with national and local authorities Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the guidelines for the plan?

The Organization Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum distance from the nearest land that an oil tanker must be to discharge oil or oily mixtures into the sea?

50 nautical miles Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content allowed for an oil tanker?

30 liters per nautical mile Signup and view all the answers

What is the total quantity of oil that can be discharged into the sea for a tanker delivered on or before 31 December 1979?

1/15,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo Signup and view all the answers

What type of ballast is exempt from the discharge provisions of Regulation 34?

Clean or segregated ballast Signup and view all the answers

What is the gross tonnage threshold for oil tankers to carry a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan?

150 tons gross tonnage Signup and view all the answers

What is the gross tonnage threshold for ships other than oil tankers to carry a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan?

400 tons gross tonnage Signup and view all the answers

What system is required to be in operation on an oil tanker to discharge oil or oily mixtures into the sea?

Oil discharge monitoring and control system and slop tank arrangement Signup and view all the answers

In which areas is the discharge of oil or oily mixture from the cargo area, slop tanks, DCBT/CBT, cargo pump-room bilge of an oil tanker prohibited?

Special areas Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum permitted residue in the tank and its associated piping left after discharge for products in categories X, Y, and Z for ships constructed on or after 1 January 2007?

75 liters Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the GESAMP2 Hazard Profile?

To index the substance according to its bio-accumulation and other factors Signup and view all the answers

Why are vegetable oils now required to be carried in chemical tankers?

As a result of the hazard evaluation process and the new categorization system Signup and view all the answers

What is a provision under regulation 4 Exemptions for ships certified to carry individually identified vegetable oils?

Relating to the location of the cargo tanks carrying the identified vegetable oil Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the MEPC resolution on Guidelines for the transport of vegetable oils?

To allow general dry cargo ships to continue carrying vegetable oils on specific trades Signup and view all the answers

What is the effective date of the guidelines for the transport of vegetable oils?

1 January 2007 Signup and view all the answers

What was adopted at the session, reflecting the changes to MARPOL Annex II?

Consequential amendments to the IBC Code Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the revision of Annex II?

To set new limits for residue in tanks and associated piping Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

MARPOL 73/78

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Record Book is required

Pollution

Definition: Inconvenience or damage caused by human activities to humans, animals, plants, and the environment by spreading compounds into air, water, and land
Effects:
- Blankets the surface, interfering with oxygen exchange between sea and atmosphere
- Blankets the seabed, interfering with marine life growth
- Pollutants are toxic and can enter the food chain
- Interferes with recreational uses of beaches
- Pollutants may enter seawater distilling inlets and be deposited on tidal mudflats
Main sources:
- Oil exploration and exploitation activities
- Domestic wastes
- Run-off from agricultural pesticides and herbicides
- Shipping and maritime activities
Causes of pollution from ships:
- Accidents (e.g. grounding, collision, fire/explosion, hull failure, capsizing)
- Operations (e.g. loading, discharging, lightering, ballasting, de-ballasting, tank washing, bunkering)

International Conventions

International Convention Relating to the Intervention of the High Seas in case of Oil Pollution (Intervention), 1969
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping of Wastes and other Matter (LDC), 1972

Torrey Canyon Incident (1967)

The tanker Torrey Canyon ran aground, spilling 120,000 tons of crude oil into the sea
Raised questions about measures to prevent oil pollution from ships and exposed deficiencies in the existing system for providing compensation following accidents at sea

IMO Response

Called an Extraordinary session of its Council to develop a plan of action on technical and legal aspects of the Torrey Canyon incident
Convened an international conference in 1973 to prepare an international agreement for placing restraints on the contamination of the sea, land, and air by ships

MARPOL 73/78 Convention

Adopted in 1973 to address oil pollution from ships
Incorporated OILPOL 1954 and its amendments into Annex I, covering oil
Also covers other forms of pollution from ships, including chemicals, harmful substances carried in packaged form, sewage, and garbage

Regulation 34: Control of Oil Discharge from Oil Tankers

Prohibits discharge of oil or oily mixtures from slop tanks, cargo tanks, DCBT/CBT, cargo pump-room bilge of oil tankers, except under certain conditions
Conditions include:
- Outside special areas
- More than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land
- Proceeding en route
- Instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content does not exceed 30 liters per nautical mile
- Total quantity of oil discharged into the sea does not exceed a specified amount
- Tanker has an oil discharge monitoring and control system and slop tank arrangement in operation

Regulation 37: Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan

Every oil tanker of 150 tons gross tonnage and above and every ship other than oil tanker of 400 tons gross tonnage and above shall carry on board a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan
Plan must be approved by the Administration and include:
- Procedure to report an oil pollution incident
- List of authorities or persons to be contacted in the event of an oil pollution incident
- Action to be taken immediately by persons on board to reduce or control the discharge of oil
- Procedures and point of contact on the ship for coordinating shipboard action with national and local authorities in combating the pollution

Amendments to MARPOL Annex II

Effective 1 January 2007, maximum permitted residue in tanks and associated piping left after discharge will be set at 75 liters for products in categories X, Y, and Z
Result of the hazard evaluation process and new categorization system, vegetable oils will now be required to be carried in chemical tankers
Provision for the Administration to exempt ships certified to carry individually identified vegetable oils, subject to certain provisions relating to the location of the cargo tanks carrying the identified vegetable oil

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Test your knowledge about MARPOL 73/78, a maritime convention aimed at preventing marine pollution. Learn about the effects of pollution on the environment and the importance of responsible human activities.