Maritime Law Maritime Environmental Law and Pollution

Question 1

What federal law is the primary U.S. statute governing oil pollution liability and compensation from vessels?

Accepted Answer

Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90)

Answer

Clean Water Act of 1972

Answer

Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899

Answer

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

Question 2

MARPOL is the international convention that stands for:

Accepted Answer

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

Answer

Maritime Patrol and Law Enforcement Convention

Answer

Marine Protected Areas Law

Answer

Maritime Pollution Liability Convention

Question 3

MARPOL Annex I primarily governs which type of pollution from ships?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of pollution by oil

Answer

Sewage discharges from ships

Answer

Garbage disposal at sea

Answer

Air emissions from ship engines

Question 4

Under OPA 90, who qualifies as the 'responsible party' for an oil spill from a vessel?

Accepted Answer

The owner and operator of the vessel

Answer

The cargo shipper

Answer

The port authority where the vessel last docked

Answer

The U.S. Coast Guard on-scene coordinator

Question 5

What are MARPOL 'Special Areas'?

Accepted Answer

Sea areas requiring stricter discharge controls due to oceanographic and ecological sensitivity

Answer

Ports designated for hazardous cargo offloading

Answer

Areas where the IMO has exclusive enforcement jurisdiction

Answer

Exclusive economic zones of signatory coastal nations

Question 6

The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) primarily establishes:

Accepted Answer

The organizational framework for federal response to oil and hazardous substance releases

Answer

Criminal penalties for deliberate oil spill violations

Answer

Licensing requirements for vessel operators in U.S. waters

Answer

International compensation fund contributions required of vessel owners

Question 7

Which agency administers the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund established under OPA 90?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC)

Answer

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Answer

Department of Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement