- With reference to Annex 1 of the MARPOL convention, state EACH of the following:
(a) the appropriate system to be fitted on a vessel 400GRT or above;(4)
(b) the documentation required, explaining why it is required;(2)
(c) the information to be recorded when pumping bilges overboard through an oil water separator.(4)
What is the Annex 1 of the MARPOL?
Annex I of MARPOL, officially titled “Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil,” is the first and arguably the most significant of the six annexes that comprise the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
1. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Its primary purpose is to prevent and minimize pollution of the marine environment by oil and oily mixtures from ships, both through operational discharges and accidental spills.
Key Provisions:
- Ship Design and Construction:
- Sets requirements for the design, construction, and equipment of oil tankers, including segregated ballast tanks, double hulls, and other measures to reduce the risk of oil spills in case of accidents. 1. MARPOL Annex I – Prevention of Pollution by Oil – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
- Specifies standards for machinery space bilges and oily water separators to limit operational discharges of oil. 1. Marpol Annex I Part A – The Master Mariner www.themastermariner.com
- Operational Discharges:
- Establishes strict limits on the permissible oil content of discharges from machinery space bilges and cargo tanks. 1. Marpol Annex I Part A – The Master Mariner www.themastermariner.com
- Requires the use of oil filtering equipment (oily-water separators) to treat oily water before discharge. 1. Marpol Annex I Part A – The Master Mariner www.themastermariner.com
- Sets conditions for the discharge of oil residues from cargo tanks, including limitations on oil content and distance from land.
- Accidental Discharges:
- Outlines procedures for reporting and responding to accidental oil spills.
- Requires ships to have an approved Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) and oil spill response equipment on board. 1. Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans – International Maritime Organization www.imo.org
- Special Areas:
- Designates certain environmentally sensitive sea areas as “Special Areas” with even stricter regulations on oil discharges. 1. Area based management tools: Special Areas | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.noaa.gov
- Examples include the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Red Sea. 1. 33 CFR § 151.53 – Special areas for Annex V of MARPOL 73/78. – Law.Cornell.Edu www.law.cornell.edu
- Enforcement and Compliance:
- Flag states and port states are responsible for enforcing MARPOL Annex I regulations through inspections, surveys, and certifications. 1. MARPOL 73/78 – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Non-compliance can result in penalties, fines, or even detention of the vessel. 1. MARPOL fines for oil pollution: What to watch – St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry www.skanregistry.com
Impact and Significance:
- MARPOL Annex I has been instrumental in significantly reducing oil pollution from ships since its adoption in 1973.
- The mandatory double hull requirement for new tankers, introduced in 1992, has further reduced the risk of major oil spills.
- The Annex continues to be updated and revised to address new challenges and technological advancements, ensuring the ongoing protection of the marine environment from oil pollution.
In essence, MARPOL Annex I provides a crucial framework for regulating oil discharges from ships, promoting cleaner and more sustainable maritime practices, and safeguarding the health of our oceans.
The appropriate system to be fitted on a vessel 400GRT or above
With reference to Annex I of the MARPOL convention, the appropriate system to be fitted on a vessel 400 GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) or above is an
Oily-Water Separator (OWS), also known as a bilge separator or oil filtering equipment.
1. Oily water separator – Further clarifications on requirements for sampling points – DNV
Purpose:
The OWS is essential for separating oil and other contaminants from bilge water and other oily mixtures generated onboard the vessel. This ensures that the discharged effluent meets the strict oil content limits set by MARPOL Annex I before being released into the marine environment.
1. Oily water separator (marine) – Wikipedia
2. MARPOL Annex I – Prevention of Pollution by Oil – International Maritime Organization
Requirements under MARPOL Annex I:
- Mandatory Installation: Any ship of 400 GRT and above must be fitted with an approved OWS. 1. Oily water separator – Further clarifications on requirements for sampling points – DNV www.dnv.com
- Design and Performance: The OWS must be of a design approved by the Administration (flag state) and meet the performance standards outlined in IMO resolutions MEPC.107(49) and MEPC.285(70). 1. Oily water separator – Further clarifications on requirements for sampling points – DNV www.dnv.com
- 15 ppm Limit: The OWS must be capable of producing an effluent with an oil content not exceeding 15 parts per million (ppm) before discharge. 1. Oily water separators: Sizing the Correct OWS System – H2O LLC www.h2oinc.com
- Oil Content Meter (OCM): The OWS must be equipped with an approved OCM to continuously monitor the oil content in the effluent and ensure compliance with the 15 ppm limit.
- Automatic Stopping Device: The system should have an automatic stopping device that prevents the discharge of effluent exceeding the permissible oil content.
- Sampling Points: Sampling points must be provided for taking representative samples of the effluent for analysis and verification of compliance. 1. Focus for PSC: Oily water separator sampling point – DNV www.dnv.com
Additional Considerations:
- Capacity: The OWS should have sufficient capacity to handle the expected volume of oily water generated onboard.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance and cleaning of the OWS, including filter replacements and calibration of the OCM, are essential to ensure its continued effectiveness and compliance.
- Record Keeping: All operations related to the OWS, including bilge pumping and overboard discharges, must be recorded in the ship’s Oil Record Book. 1. Practical guidance on Oily Water Separator (OWS) – dieselduck.net www.dieselduck.info
Benefits of OWS:
- Environmental Protection: By effectively removing oil from wastewater, the OWS helps prevent marine pollution and protect the marine environment. 1. Oily water separator (marine) – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Regulatory Compliance: It ensures that the vessel adheres to MARPOL Annex I regulations on oil discharges, avoiding potential penalties or detentions.
- Operational Efficiency: The OWS enables the safe and legal discharge of treated bilge water and other oily mixtures, reducing the need for storage and disposal ashore.
In summary, an approved and properly functioning Oily-Water Separator is a mandatory requirement for vessels 400 GRT and above under MARPOL Annex I. It plays a critical role in preventing oil pollution from ships and ensuring compliance with international environmental regulations.
1. Oily water separator – Further clarifications on requirements for sampling points – DNV
2. How Oil/Water Separators Preserve the Environment | Blog Vodaland Canada
Documentation required
Annex I of the MARPOL convention, which deals with the prevention of pollution by oil, mandates specific documentation to be carried on board vessels. These documents play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the regulations, promoting transparency, and facilitating inspections and enforcement.
Let’s delve into the required documentation and their significance:
- Oil Record Book (Part I – Machinery Space Operations):
- Mandatory for all ships: Regardless of size or type, all ships subject to Annex I must maintain an Oil Record Book Part I.
- Purpose:
- Records all oil or oily mixture transfers and discharges from machinery spaces, including bilge pumping, sludge disposal, and fuel oil transfers.
- Serves as evidence of compliance with MARPOL regulations during port state control inspections.
- Provides a historical record of oil handling operations for internal management and troubleshooting.
- Oil Record Book (Part II – Cargo/Ballast Operations):
- Applies to oil tankers: Mandatory for oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above.
- Purpose:
- Records all oil cargo and ballast operations, including loading, unloading, cleaning, and ballasting/deballasting.
- Ensures compliance with MARPOL regulations regarding oil discharges from cargo areas.
- Provides a transparent record of cargo and ballast operations for authorities and stakeholders.
- International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate:
- Mandatory for oil tankers: Required for all oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above.
- Purpose:
- Certifies that the ship’s design, construction, equipment, and operational procedures comply with MARPOL Annex I requirements.
- Serves as proof of compliance during port state control inspections and facilitates international trade.
- Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP):
- Mandatory for oil tankers and other ships: Required for all oil tankers, and other ships carrying oil as cargo or bunker fuel, depending on their size and type.
- Purpose:
- Outlines the procedures and actions to be taken in case of an oil spill or a threat of an oil spill.
- Ensures that the crew is prepared to respond effectively and minimize the environmental impact.
- Other Documentation:
- Bunker Delivery Notes (BDNs): Records of fuel oil deliveries, including details about quantity, quality, and supplier information.
- Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System (ODMCS) records (if applicable): For oil tankers, records from the ODMCS, which monitors and controls oil discharges during deballasting operations.
- Other relevant records: Depending on the specific operations and equipment onboard, additional records may be required, such as those related to bilge alarms, oily-water separators, or fuel tank cleaning.
Why This Documentation is Required:
- Compliance with MARPOL Annex I: Maintaining these records is mandatory for demonstrating compliance with the regulations and avoiding penalties or detentions.
- Environmental Protection: Proper record-keeping helps track oil movements and discharges, enabling authorities to monitor and control potential pollution sources.
- Transparency and Accountability: The documentation provides a clear and transparent record of the ship’s oil-related operations, facilitating inspections and investigations.
- Safety and Emergency Preparedness: The SOPEP and other related documents ensure that the crew is prepared to respond effectively to oil spills and minimize their impact.
In summary, the documentation required under MARPOL Annex I is crucial for ensuring that ships operate in an environmentally responsible manner, minimizing oil pollution, and protecting the marine ecosystem.
Information to be recorded when pumping bilges
When pumping bilges overboard through an oily water separator (OWS), the following information must be recorded in the Oil Record Book (ORB) Part I – Machinery Space Operations, as required by MARPOL Annex I:
- Date and Time:
- The date and time when the bilge pumping operation through the OWS is started and completed.
- Ship’s Position:
- The ship’s position, including latitude and longitude, at the time of discharge.
- Oily Water Separator:
- Whether the oily-water separator was in operation throughout the bilge transfer.
- Oil Content Meter:
- Whether the Oil Content Meter (OCM) was in operation throughout the bilge transfer.
- Ship’s Speed:
- The ship’s instantaneous speed at the time of discharge.
- Quantity Discharged:
- The total quantity of oily-water mixture discharged overboard, recorded in cubic meters.
- Remarks:
- Any additional relevant information or observations, such as:
- Reason for the bilge pumping (e.g., routine, leak, etc.)
- Any alarms or malfunctions encountered during the operation
- Corrective actions taken
- Signature of the officer or crew member responsible for the operation
Additional Considerations:
- 15 ppm Limit: MARPOL Annex I strictly limits the oil content of the bilge water discharged overboard to a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm). Ensure that the OCM readings are within this limit throughout the discharge. 1. Oily water separator (marine) – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Automatic Stopping Device: The OWS should have an automatic stopping device that prevents the discharge if the oil content exceeds 15 ppm. Record the time when the system is put into automatic mode in the ORB.
- Manual Operation: If the system is operated manually, record the time when it was switched to manual mode and the reason for doing so.
- Special Areas: If the vessel is operating within a MARPOL Special Area, stricter discharge regulations may apply. Be sure to follow those specific requirements.
Importance of Accurate Record Keeping:
- Compliance with MARPOL: Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date Oil Record Book is a legal requirement under MARPOL Annex I. 1. Oil Record Book Guidelines – U.S Marine Survey usmarinesurvey.com
- Evidence of Proper Operation: The ORB serves as evidence of the ship’s compliance with pollution prevention regulations during port state control inspections or any investigations related to oil pollution.
- Operational Transparency: The records provide a clear history of bilge pumping operations, aiding in internal management, troubleshooting, and environmental audits.
Remember: Proper bilge water management and accurate record-keeping are crucial for protecting the marine environment and ensuring compliance with international regulations.