Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Flashcards

Under which federal law is discharging oil into U.S. navigable waters primarily prohibited?

Answer: The Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances into navigable waters of the United States.

What must a vessel operator do immediately upon discovering an oil spill from their vessel?

Answer: Notify the National Response Center

Federal law requires immediate notification of the National Response Center when an oil discharge occurs.

The MARPOL Annex V regulations specifically address which type of pollution?

Answer: Garbage and plastics

MARPOL Annex V governs the prevention of pollution by garbage, including the disposal of plastics at sea.

What is the purpose of an Oil Record Book aboard a vessel?

Answer: To document oil transfers, discharges, and disposal

The Oil Record Book documents all oil-related operations such as transfers, ballasting, and disposal for regulatory compliance.

Discharge of plastics into the ocean is regulated to be permitted:

Answer: Never, it is completely prohibited

Under MARPOL Annex V, the discharge of all plastics into the sea is completely prohibited everywhere.

What color placard must be posted on vessels to inform crew of garbage disposal restrictions?

Answer: A garbage disposal placard

MARPOL requires a garbage disposal placard be posted to notify the crew of discharge restrictions.

Which agency serves as the lead federal on-scene coordinator for oil spills in coastal waters?

Answer: The U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard acts as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for oil spills in the coastal zone.