MTC Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which MARPOL Annex governs the prevention of air pollution from ships, including NOx and SOx emissions?
- Annex I
- Annex IV
- Annex V
- Annex VI (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Annex VI
MARPOL Annex VI, adopted in 1997 and entering into force in 2005, specifically addresses prevention of air pollution from ships.
Question 2: When a marine technician replaces an engine that does not comply with current EPA emission standards, what must be demonstrated?
- Engine meets original OEM specs
- Replacement engine meets applicable Tier standards (Correct answer)
- Engine is from an EPA-certified dealer
- Engine displacement is unchanged
Correct answer: Replacement engine meets applicable Tier standards
EPA requires replacement engines to comply with the emission standards (Tier level) applicable at the time of the replacement, not the original installation.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system on a marine diesel engine?
- Increase fuel efficiency by recovering heat
- Reduce NOx by lowering combustion peak temperature (Correct answer)
- Reduce particulate matter using a filter
- Neutralize sulfur compounds in exhaust
Correct answer: Reduce NOx by lowering combustion peak temperature
EGR recirculates a portion of exhaust gas back into the intake, diluting oxygen content and lowering combustion temperatures to reduce NOx formation.
Question 4: A vessel's Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) must be retained onboard for a minimum of how many years under MARPOL Annex VI?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
MARPOL Annex VI requires the Bunker Delivery Note to be kept onboard for at least three years for port state control inspection.
Question 5: Which type of marine refrigerant is now prohibited under EPA Section 608 regulations due to its high ozone depletion potential?
- HFCs (e.g., R-134a)
- HCFCs (e.g., R-22)
- CFCs (e.g., R-12) (Correct answer)
- Natural refrigerants (e.g., CO2)
Correct answer: CFCs (e.g., R-12)
CFCs such as R-12 (Freon) are prohibited under EPA Section 608 and the Montreal Protocol due to their severe ozone depletion potential.
Question 6: What action must a marine technician take before venting or recovering refrigerant from a vessel's AC or refrigeration system?
- Notify the USCG 24 hours in advance
- Ensure only EPA Section 608-certified technicians perform the work (Correct answer)
- File a hazardous materials report
- Obtain a NPDES permit
Correct answer: Ensure only EPA Section 608-certified technicians perform the work
EPA Section 608 requires that only certified technicians handle refrigerants during service, repair, or disposal of refrigeration and AC equipment.
Question 7: Which parameter does a shipboard oily water separator (OWS) monitor and control to ensure compliance with discharge limits?
- pH level of the water
- Oil content in parts per million (ppm) (Correct answer)
- Temperature of the effluent
- Flow rate in liters per hour
Correct answer: Oil content in parts per million (ppm)
An OWS is equipped with an oil content monitor (OCM) that continuously measures ppm of oil in the effluent and stops discharge if the limit is exceeded.
MTC Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance 3
Which MARPOL Annex governs the prevention of air pollution from ships, including NOx and SOx emissions?