Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection
This domain tests MARPOL discharge controls, record keeping, spill prevention and environmental protection. The exam focuses on what may be discharged, where, and how the ship proves compliance.
MARPOL controls
Annex I covers oil and requires the Oil Record Book. Annex II covers noxious liquid substances and cargo record requirements. Annex V covers garbage, Annex IV sewage and Annex VI air emissions. Special areas impose stricter discharge limits. Ballast water and biofouling controls also apply to tankers.
Operational prevention
Use closed loading and sampling where required, check overfill alarms, maintain cargo hoses and loading arms, and keep drip trays and scuppers plugged. Spill kits, SOPEP and shore response arrangements must be ready. Engine-room and cargo-area bilges must not be mixed illegally.
Worked example
Sludge from the engine room is to be landed ashore. The correct action is to transfer it to a reception facility and record the transfer in the Oil Record Book Part I, including date, quantity and facility. Reasoning: sludge is an oily residue and must not be discharged at sea; the record is the evidence of lawful disposal.
Traps that cost marks
Thinking dilution makes an illegal discharge legal; confusing Oil Record Book Part I machinery entries with Part II cargo entries; ignoring special-area limits; treating garbage and sewage rules as irrelevant on tankers.