Environmental Protection and Pollution Prevention
Environmental protection and pollution prevention tests the discharge rules you must obey, the paperwork that proves it, and what you do when something leaks.
The rule set
- MARPOL Annexes I–VI are the baseline at sea; on inland waterways the CDNI convention governs delivery of waste: oily waste, sewage, garbage and cargo residues go to reception facilities, and the vessel keeps a CDNI register and pays the waste fee.
- Oily water: no discharge on inland waterways. Bilge water goes through the oily-water separator (≤15 ppm) only where the waterway rules allow, otherwise it is delivered ashore and entered in the oil record book.
- Garbage: no discharge; sort, deliver, record. Sewage: only at designated facilities or where expressly permitted.
- Air: inland fuel is low-sulphur (0.10 % S), new engines meet Stage V, refrigerants must not leak, no burning of waste on board.
- Anti-fouling and cleaning: no harmful agents; keep sandblasting residue and paint out of the water.
Pollution response
Stop the source, contain with absorbent or a boom, notify the waterway authority immediately, and never use dispersant without authorisation. Record time, location, quantity and action.
Worked example
A hydraulic hose bursts and about 20 L of oil runs into the bilge. Shut the pump, absorb with pads, do not start the bilge pump, bag the used pads as hazardous waste, enter the event in the oil record book, and hand the waste over at the next CDNI station with a receipt. If any oil reaches the water, report it at once.
Traps
Believing a small quantity may be pumped overboard; using detergent to sink a spill; forgetting to record deliveries; leaving the separator alarm disconnected; treating the waste fee as optional.