Maritime Law Maritime Environmental Law and Pollution 3

Question 1

The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) applies primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Tankers carrying persistent oil as cargo in bulk

Answer

All commercial vessels over 300 gross tons

Answer

Any vessel operating in the territorial waters of a signatory state

Answer

All vessels registered under the flag of a CLC signatory state

Question 2

Under OPA 90, who has the legal authority to bring natural resource damage (NRD) claims?

Accepted Answer

Designated federal, state, and tribal trustees acting on behalf of the public

Answer

Private landowners whose coastal property was contaminated

Answer

Commercial fishermen and fishing cooperatives who suffered income losses

Answer

Insurance companies exercising subrogation rights after paying policyholders

Question 3

Under OPA 90, a responsible party may be completely relieved of liability if the spill was caused solely by:

Accepted Answer

An act of God, an act of war, or the act or omission of an unrelated third party

Answer

Mechanical failure of the vessel's propulsion system

Answer

Negligence of a subcontracted crewmember during port operations

Answer

Improper cargo stowage by an independent stevedore company

Question 4

The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention primarily aims to prevent:

Accepted Answer

Introduction of invasive aquatic species into new marine environments

Answer

Oil contamination of a vessel's ballast tanks

Answer

Excessive sediment discharge that silts up port channels

Answer

Chemical contamination from ballast water treatment system byproducts

Question 5

The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention entered into force in which year?

Accepted Answer

2017

Answer

2004

Answer

2010

Answer

2020

Question 6

MARPOL Annex IV specifically regulates:

Accepted Answer

Sewage discharge from ships

Answer

Garbage disposal procedures from all vessels

Answer

Prevention of air pollution from ship exhaust systems

Answer

Noxious liquid substances transported in bulk

Question 7

Under OPA 90, what is the general statute of limitations for claims for removal costs and damages?

Accepted Answer

3 years from the date of discovery of the loss

Answer

1 year from the date of the initial discharge

Answer

5 years from the date of the incident regardless of discovery

Answer

6 years from the completion of all federal removal activities