Environmental Protection, Waste and Emissions
The regulatory framework
Candidates must understand the environmental obligations that apply to inland and coastal operation: waste reception, discharge prohibitions, fuel and oil handling, and emissions standards. Know the difference between garbage categories and how each must be handled. Understand that discharge of oily water, sewage and garbage is restricted and that reception facilities exist at ports and marinas.
Waste and pollution prevention
Learn the use of oil absorbent materials, drip trays and bunded storage. Understand the procedure for a small spill: stop the source, contain, absorb, report, dispose correctly. Know the rules for engine maintenance to avoid spills. Understand the meaning of the pollution reporting obligation and who to inform.
Emissions
Understand the basics of exhaust emissions, the role of fuel quality, and the effect of engine tuning on emissions. Know that idling wastes fuel and increases emissions. Understand noise and wash as environmental impacts on other waterway users and on banks.
Traps
- Assuming garbage can be discharged once macerated.
- Forgetting that oily bilge water cannot be pumped overboard.
- Ignoring the reporting obligation after a spill.
- Overlooking wash as a legal and environmental issue in sensitive areas.
Worked rule of thumb
For any pollution scenario, follow: stop, contain, absorb, report, dispose. Never dilute or disperse a spill. Keep absorbent material and a spill kit on board and know where they are stored.