Conventions and Regulations
Conventions and Regulations tests the master's working knowledge of SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREG, STCW, MLC, Load Lines, BWM and related certificates. The exam favours operational application over reciting convention titles.
Core rules
- SOLAS covers construction, life-saving, radio, navigation, cargo and management; ISM and ISPS are separate but linked regimes.
- MARPOL Annex I controls oil, Annex II noxious liquids, Annex III harmful substances in packaged form, Annex IV sewage, Annex V garbage and Annex VI air pollution.
- Global sulphur limit is 0.50% m/m; ECAs require 0.10%. Equivalent scrubbers need approval and washwater restrictions.
- STCW certificates, MLC crew documents, BWM D-2 and garbage/oil record books are survey targets.
Worked example
A tanker carries 30,000 t of oil cargo. Outside a special area, Annex I allows cargo residues at no more than 30 L/nm and a total of 1/30,000 of cargo carried, so the total limit is 1 t. Over 500 nm at 30 L/nm, the discharge would be 15,000 L, about 13.5 t at 0.9 t/m³, which exceeds 1 t. Therefore the proposed discharge is prohibited. The reasoning: both the rate and total limits must be met, and the ship must be en route.
Traps
Confusing Annex IV sewage with Annex V garbage; applying global sulphur limits inside an ECA; treating record books as optional; and ignoring special-area or Antarctic zero-discharge rules. Certificate validity and survey windows are also common.