FREE Tanker Familiarization Pollution Prevention and MARPOL Questions and Answers

Question 1

An oil tanker is en route, outside a MARPOL designated 'Special Area' and more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land.
Under which condition is the discharge of cargo residues into the sea permitted according to MARPOL Annex I?

Accepted Answer

The total quantity of oil discharged does not exceed 1/30,000 of the total quantity of the particular cargo of which the residue formed a part.

Answer

The instantaneous rate of discharge of oil content is less than 100 liters per nautical mile.

Answer

The Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME) is offline for maintenance, but manual calculations are being performed.

Answer

The discharge is performed at night to minimize visual impact.

Question 2

A tanker is required to have a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). Which of the following is a mandatory component of the SOPEP?

Accepted Answer

Procedures for reporting an oil pollution incident to coastal and flag state authorities.

Answer

A detailed crew training schedule for the entire year.

Answer

The commercial contact information for the cargo owner.

Answer

A copy of the ship's stability booklet.

Question 3

Which of the following operations would require an entry in the Oil Record Book (ORB) Part II?

Accepted Answer

Internal transfer of oil cargo during the voyage.

Answer

Bunkering of fuel oil.

Answer

Discharge of bilge water from the engine room.

Answer

Disposal of oily rags from the engine room.

Question 4

While operating within a 'Special Area' as defined by MARPOL Annex I, what is the maximum permissible oil content in machinery space bilge water that can be discharged overboard?

Accepted Answer

15 parts per million (ppm)

Answer

100 parts per million (ppm)

Answer

50 parts per million (ppm)

Answer

Zero, all bilge water must be retained on board.

Question 5

A tanker is preparing for a voyage to the United States. In addition to MARPOL requirements, the vessel must comply with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90). What is a key requirement under OPA '90 for tankers?

Accepted Answer

The vessel must have an approved Vessel Response Plan (VRP) and a designated Qualified Individual (QI).

Answer

The vessel must be painted a specific color for high visibility.

Answer

The vessel must carry a MARPOL-approved incinerator for all waste.

Answer

The vessel must submit a daily fuel consumption report to the US Coast Guard.

Question 6

During a de-ballasting operation from a cargo tank that previously held crude oil, the Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment (ODME) fails. What is the correct immediate action according to MARPOL regulations?

Accepted Answer

Immediately stop the discharge operation.

Answer

Continue the discharge using manual calculations and visual observation of the sheen.

Answer

Bypass the ODME and complete the discharge as quickly as possible.

Answer

Reduce the discharge rate by 50% and log the failure.

An oil tanker is en route, outside a MARPOL designated 'Special Area' and more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land.Under which condition is the discharge of cargo residues into the sea permitted according to MARPOL Annex I?

An oil tanker is en route, outside a MARPOL designated 'Special Area' and more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest land.
Under which condition is the discharge of cargo residues into the sea permitted according to MARPOL Annex I?